Photo Friday – Past 5 Weeks of Travel
Today, I’m getting on a plane from DC back to LA. The past 5 weeks have been filled with conferences, interviews, writing, education, planning, advocacy and lots of travel. I had a friend ask me how I travel so much with such debilitating chronic migraine? My response was:
If there’s something really important to me, I prepare. I rest. I find the strength from somewhere to push through. But I pay for it. I have a hard time saying no, but I’ve been better at picking and prioritizing what’s important. If it means that much to me, I sacrifice my health. Is that smart? No. But I want to live, not just survive. It’s worth it to me.
I realize that not everyone can travel, whether it’s for a conference or even a family vacation. I won’t pretend that my health has been great this whole time. I’ve had my struggles, sometimes spending more time in my hotel room than in seminars or skipping out early to take a nap. I have issues with let-down migraine attacks. I run on adrenaline and when it’s over, I simply crash and fall apart. Is that smart? No. But I want to live, not just survive.
Photo Friday – Portrait of Sick Aunt Katie
This week, most of my posts have been about kids. I wrote about a great children’s book, Noah the Narwhal: A Tale of Downs and Ups. I shared an old article, called The Kid Conundrum about my decision on having children of my own. And now I want to share a picture that was drawn…
Grandma’s Gout Story for Gout Awareness Day
My colorful grandmother, whom I am very close with, relayed to me her personal story about living with gout. May 22nd is Gout Awareness Day and I found it fitting to share this today. As always, Golden Graine is not just about living with chronic migraine, it’s about understanding all forms of chronic pain. In…
Migraine and Pain Do Not Define Me- My Creative Side
Obsessing over Broadway musicals, creating a newsletter for my 5th grade class, writing an essay that won me a scholarship to a summer theatre camp at age 8, taking private vocal lessons, consistently writing personal diaries from the 2nd grade to the present, being a member of multiple award-winning show choirs, acapella and madrigal groups,…
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Marineparent101,
Thanks so much for your kind words. We all have a choice whether to accept our lot in life or to be miserable. I’ve had my dark days but overall I keep a positive attitude. Wallowing doesn’t change anything.
Glad you’re active in AHMA, such a grwat organization!
I wish we didn’t have to go through this, but at least we’rw in good company!
Katie,
I admire your resolve, to do the things that are important to you! I can see your mantra is “I want to live, not just survive”! I truly miss the person I was before chronic migraine and other chronic pain issues I have. No, I couldn’t keep up the pace that you do, but there is an age gap, about 15 years I believe. With the chronic migraine and chronic pain, comes chronic fatigue, I’m just a chronic mess. lol
In 2014 I found Teri’s HealthCentral Facebook page, which lead me to AHMA. I’ve had migraine since I was 16, but didn’t go chronic until 2001. So for 14yrs I navigated through chronic migraine, with no support at all. Teri’s group and AHMA changed all of that, I learned so much and made some awesome friendships.
It also opened up a new purpose in life for me, supporting, encouraging, inspiring and advocating, for those in the migraine community. I started with Twitter in Sept. 2015 and now a blog, my horizons are expanding, and that gives me a new lease on life with chronic migraine.