Elevator Blog

Today's challenge is to write about what I'd tell a person I was in an elevator with, if they asked about my blog, Health Activism, community, or condition... making a different version for a 30 second elevator ride, 1 minute elevator ride, and 2 minute elevator ride.

30 second elevator ride:

My blog is about my life as someone living with an invisible illness, Chronic Migraine. My chronic migraines started as a result of a car accident 3 years ago, and it took me a long time to even begin to come to terms with the reality of my pain. Writing has always been very cathartic for me, but I was unable to write in a journal (due to other accident-related injuries). I began a blog, so that I could share what I was learning about my condition, and write about my personal battle/journey as a Chronic Migraineur.

1 minute elevator ride:

(continue from 30 second elevator ride) It is important for someone with chronic pain to be an educated patient and to find support. I try to share some of what I learn, so that it can help others better understand Migraine. I've found support through the blogs of other individuals that live with chronic pain, which has been an unexpected benefit of entering the blogging world.

2 minute elevator ride:

(tagging on from the other elevator ride speeches) Migraine is a neurological disease that affects more than 30 million Americans. Despite the number of people it affects, Migraine is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and greatly lacks funding for research. Migraines can vary in intensity, duration, and frequency; and are more than just a headache - the accompanying symptoms (such as sensitivities to light and sound, nausea, visual changes, etc...) can be just as (or more) disabling than the headache pain.

Part of what I write on my blog is about the symptoms I experience. I write about what I deal with, including many of the challenges of having an invisible illness. I try to express my experiences, as well as my faith (one's spiritual life becomes a roller-coaster ride, just like the rest of your life, when you have a chronic illness). If you're interested, here's the link to my blog - feel free to stop by, read, leave a comment, and share.

This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

Open a Book (The Gift of Pain)

Today's challenge is to open a book, randomly point to a word or passage, and then free write for 10-15 minutes on that word or passage.

I hate to take a section of a book out of context (especially when I haven't even read the book yet), but I love the idea of free writing about a "random" passage. The book I grabbed off my bookshelf was The gift of pain: Why we hurt & what we can do about it by Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancey. Again, I haven't read the book yet, but the passage I opened up to was intriguing.

The authors write:

The hurt of pain forces the entire being to attend to the danger. Once aware of the cut on my finger, I forget all about my crowded schedule and the long lines of patients outside -- I run for a bandage. Pain ignores, even mocks all other priorities... [The ultimate end of pain is] to galvanize the entire body. Pain shrinks time to the present moment... What matters to the pain system is that you feel miserable enough to stop whatever you're doing and pay attention right now (pp. 216-218)

How interesting this is, especially when considering what it means for those that live with chronic pain. But, we'll start with first things first. Everyone has experienced pain... being overtaken by the urgent demand for our entire attention by something that has caused us pain. The acute pain brings us into the moment, making everything else around us seem obsolete. Time seems distorted, and our entire attention is on the pain.

So, what happens when the pain is ongoing, such as with chronic pain? There seems to be yet another battle within those living with chronic pain:  how to deal with the pain, while not being completely consumed by it. We need to acknowledge pain, and know our bodies well enough to know when symptoms change and should be attended to. But, even though the pain may be ongoing, we mustn't allow it to overtake and destroy us.


This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

Migraine Disease & Friendship

The theme for the November 2011 Headache & Migraine Disease Blog Carnival is: "Migraine Disease & Friendship: How has living with migraine disease or a headache disorder impacted your friendships? Has it shown you who your true friends are? Have you made friends or become closer to people because of your life with this disease?"

I've discussed this topic previously:  Reason, Season, Lifetime, Changed Relationships, Changed Relationship, continued, Change: Life Since the Accident (Jan 6), Romantic Relationships & Migraine, and Romantic Relationships & Migraine - Our Story. Obviously, this topic resonates a lot with me. I've had a difficult time trying to manage the loss of my old life, as well as the change / loss of many relationships.

I've actually been very surprised at what has happened to my relationships (for this post, relationships with friends), since my chronic migraines began. Now, to be fair, I also got married a year after my car accident; so my relationships probably would've changed some, solely due to me getting married.

My friends have become distant. I rarely talk to them (I use "talk" loosely, meaning anything from visiting to talking on the phone to emailing). Honestly, it makes me feel abandoned, as I never expected them to disappear in my darkest hour. For some, it is a matter of geographic distance and the business of life.

For others, I think we just have very little in common. The top 3 important things in my life are: 1) faith, 2) family, and 3) health. So, for a healthy individual that's never been interested in religion and isn't as close to his/her family... it's difficult to find any common ground. I simply can't do things that I used to... go to the movies (perhaps, but very rarely), go bowling (smoke, lights, noise, weight of the ball, crowds... *shudder*), go shopping (I have trouble in the stores, and I get worn out very quickly), etc...

I've never been a social butterfly. It's always taken me a long time to really open up and become friends with people. The few friends I've had, I've known for many years. I have such a limited supply of energy, and social events drain me even more now than they did before my chronic migraines began. So, I focus on my own health, and spending time with my family... leaving nothing more to invest in new friendships.

Thus, my friends have mostly evolved to those that I've come into contact with on the Internet. Many of us have a chronic illness of some sort. Regardless of what it is, we have a level of understanding and compassion that I haven't experienced with my "real world" friends. We understand what having a "good day" means, that sometimes you just need to vent about your condition, and that there are so many aspects of living with a chronic illness that are extremely difficult, on many different levels. They laugh with me, cry with me, pray for me, and cheer me on. We're a community of encouragers, holding on to hope for making each day better.

A Lost Friend

I'm not the same person I used to be,
But I'm trying to learn how to be the new me.
You've disappeared for reasons I can't comprehend,
You used to be such a good friend.

I feel like you left me,
In my most vulnerable time.
Even a simple card would be
Heart-warming and kind.

I miss your company, your hugs, and your smile.
Perhaps you're still there and I just cannot see.
If you're there and it's just been a while,
Please let me know you care and you're thinking of me.

© 2011 Jamie Valendy.


This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

Gloomy Weather

Today's prompt just isn't really inspiring me, so I'm going to veer off and write about something else.

A few days ago, we had a beautifully cloudy/overcast day. I know that most people dislike the gloominesss of the autumn and winter months, but I love the darkness (though I could definitely do without the cold temperatures and roller coaster weather changes). The other day (when it was overcast), I still wore my sunglasses. I was able to make it to the doctor and spend some time walking around outside with my husband. It was so great! It wore me out, and my head worsened in the evening, but it was such a wonderful day with my husband.


This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

My Personal Brand

Today's challenge is to write about my personal brand - describing what qualities and components I present to my audience. "As a Health Activist, you are a front-facing leader. What do you imagine you look like to your readers? What qualities do you possess? It's ok to toot your own horn today - you have full permission to indulge."

I'm definitely NOT good at tooting my own horn, but it's good to think about how I might be coming across to those that read my blog. Above all, I strive to be genuine. Writing allows me to be my authentic self, removing the mask that I so often try to wear in the presence of others. While I have chronic pain, I am not my illness. I am much more than that!

My blog is meant to help inform others about Migraine, by sharing information I learn about Migraine and my personal battle/journey as a chronic Migraineur. I hope that by sharing my own personal journey that my words will, in some way, touch someone else. I love receiving a comment or email about a post that resonates with someone - by validating their experience, putting into words what they are going through and/or feeling, gives them hope, etc...

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." (Plato)

I'm a determined and compassionate individual that strives to write from the heart. Though Chronic Migraine is my cross to bear (at least for now), I have faith that my Lord will be with me through all of the trials ahead, just as He's been with me through the trials from my past. It is my hope that He will continue to use me to reach others, despite my chronic illness.

Free Wallpaper Christian

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).

3 Truths & 1 Lie

Today's challenge is to write 3 things that are true about me, my condition, my Health Activism, or my life... and then 1 lie.

• I've tried over 50 medications to try to control my chronic migraines.
• I've dealt with headaches for much of my life.
• I've returned to my pre-accident weight.
• Headaches and Migraines run in my family.

 ... And the lie is ...

The third one. I'm still down 10-12 pounds from my pre-accident weight. At least I've gained about 6 pounds from my lowest point.

This post was written as part of the National Health Blog Posting Month (NHBPM).