I still remember…...

"Sleep" by Nick Beery ©2007, published in Migraine Expressions

I still remember what I later recognized as my first migraine attack. I was 16 years old, spending a couple of weeks with my family at my aunt’s winter mobile home in Bradenton, Florida. Only it was summer and it was hot.

Blinding head pain – I had never felt anything like it before – and feeling sick to my stomach sent me to the little bedroom to lie down. And there I suffered in silence, which I continued to do for too many years.

I’m sure my mother asked me what was wrong and tried to help, but I don’t recall many other details of the day. I do remember being frightened but thinking it was the flu or the smothering heat and humidity.

What I recall about my early migraine years are intense but infrequent attacks that I could usually sleep away. The more severe migraine vampires that have sucked life out of me for so many years started visiting in my early 20s.

But with all that has passed, I have not forgotten the day and the event that began my monumental migraine journey…

**This post is part of The Health Activist Writer’s Month Challenge at WegoHealth
There is a prompt for every day of November, and on this, the 26th day, I finally posted!

Sum… Sum… Summertime Migrain...

My summertime survival skills for migraine –

I think they are very much the same as my survival skills for the rest of the year:

Shady lady (me) waiting for bus in BA, so s l o w I'm stopped.

-try to get regular sleep,
-eat healthy and regularly (easier in the summer with all the fresh veggies, berries and such),
-drink lots of water,
-exercise when and as much as possible,
-try not to stress or get too emotional over stuff,
-try not to get too much sun, always sunglasses,
-don’t overexert or overextend myself,
-try not to take too much medication,
-don’t enjoy any yummy summer cocktails or wine
-try to relax anyway
-deny migraine,
-accept migraine,
-get depressed,
-get encouraged,
-make up my mind to go with the flow,
-and cope in whatever way possible –

Hmmm… doesn’t this kind of sound like, ” Try not to live too much”?

Seriously, in the summer and particularly in extremely hot and humid weather I just slow down.

Literally. In every way.

Really.

I     Slow     down.

Walk…      S l o w e r.

Never       Run.

Breathe…       S l o w e r.

Talk…      S l o w e r.

Think…

S l o w e r…

E v e r y t h i n g    in      S  l  o  w      M  o  t  i  o  n.

Breathe…

More…

A n d        S l o w e r…

Everything…        quieter…

s l o w e r …         s h h h…        s   l   o   w   e   r .  .  .

This post is part of the July 2011 edition of the Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival at Somebody Heal Me for which the theme is “Summertime Survival Skills for Migraineurs.” Thanks, Diana!

Grateful in spite of migraine disease...

The theme of November 2010 Headache and Migraine Disease Blog Carnival at Somebody Heal Me is: “What are you thankful for despite living with migraine disease?”

Near Cross Creek, FL (c)2010

Absolutely and of course I am grateful for my family, my husband and children, my birth-extended family, and my husband’s family. Without all the family love and support I am so fortunate to have, I cannot begin to imagine how different my life would be. Then there are friends, those who have touched my life briefly and those who have stayed a lifetime, for which I am thankful.

My daughters took a happiness course in college, and one of the ways to feel happier is to keep a gratefulness journal, each day recording five things you are grateful for. This I did for a brief time on paper, and I still try to make mental note of at least one thing I’m grateful for every day. (more…)

Express Migraine to Congress!...

Our ‘Express Migraine to Congress!’ campaign is launched at the wonderful suggestion of Vicki Gewe!

Vicki sent a book to Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate HELP Committee, and I sent a copy to each of my senators, Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein. Seven books are on their way to Congress now!

AND for every book sold in this effort, we will donate $1 to the Alliance for Headache Disorders Advocacy. You can make a dual impact with your purchase.

Anyone can purchase a book for Congress to promote awareness and migraine research here: http://www.wordmetropress.com/congress.html. Simply make a note in the PayPal purchase form which Senator or Representative you would like to receive your book. (more…)

yes, we still need ‘painful’...

Imah Widai

I’m Mad as Hell and What I’m Doing About It…

Yes, we still need painful and frightening migraine art

…and everything else possible to help the migraine awareness effort!

Well, National Headache Awareness Week (June 7-13) is reaching its end, but our efforts to promote awareness and understanding while advocating for more research and better treatments must go on!

Dedicated migraine professionals, advocates and overcomers are leading the charge online with excellent, informative migraine and headache sites, providing support and sharing knowledge and experiences. Some can be found on this blog under Resources and more will be added here soon. (more…)

Migraine Expressions milestone...

Migraine Expressions has placed as a Finalist in the Anthologies-Nonfiction category of the 2009 National Indie Excellence Awards! I am honored to thank and congratulate all who contributed to and supported the project.

P.S. Migraine Expressions is a great gift for anyone whose life is impacted by migraine!