Once again, it’s been quite awhile since my last post. Looks like it might be becoming a trend with me. Honestly, there hasn’t been much for me to write about… my health is still about the same and I’m taking each day as it comes. Otherwise, it can be impossible to function. Still don’t have much else going on because of how I feel… which also keeps me from having many friends in my life anymore that actually want to do things with me and include me. It can be quite lonely. Thankful and grateful for the few who haven’t left and who make an effort to check in on me and to let me know they are continuing to pray for me. An even bigger thank you to the ones who make an effort to do things with me! I’m a very simple girl…. don’t have to do much to make me or keep me happy, just make an effort. I apologize if my effort hasn’t been great… I can’t keep up with it all anymore. Thank you to those who truly try to understand!
One big event that has happened since my last post is that I became a first time aunt, to twins… a boy and girl! They have brought so much joy to the whole family. So thankful and grateful for my brother, sister-in-law and their beautiful family!
I did start seeing a new neurologist back in October, and I was impressed with how thorough he was with all my medical history, that he took the time to listen and answered any questions. (Believe me, that can be rare.) Started a new medication and I haven’t noticed much of a difference. Think it has helped some with my depressive episodes and some with my anxiety. A little disappointed that because my 24/7, 365 migraine attack has changed how the pain is distributed in my head, he decided it’s not a migraine. I mean, seriously?! Is every patient the same? Do we all have the exact same symptoms with our migraine attacks? Don’t you think my pain could change to be a bit abnormal when it’s been non-stop 24/7, 365 for the last 17 years?! It’s extremely frustrating. Sometimes I just wish I had a lot of money to seek even more avenues of possible treatment and well, maybe just get far away. I have tried pretty much everything out there and it’s all failed. It’s bad when the doctors start getting stumped with what else to try. I often say that maybe they should just put me in the hospital for about a month and pump me with all kinds of stuff to see if it makes even a tiny dent in anything.
My whole reason for this post is to acknowledge that March of 2018 marks 17 years that I’ve had this one constant migraine attack. Crazy, right?! I was 18 and in my 2nd semester of my freshman year of college when this migraine attack started. Goodness!
I thought it would be fun to post 17 things about me that you might not know. Might do another one of these posts later in the month to include 17 more things. Hope you enjoy reading them!
1. All I’ve ever wanted in life is to be a wife and mother. But, I’m realizing that dream might actually just be a dream. Anyone want to elope?! Mom– don’t worry!! I’m only joking… well, maybe. Haha!
Have to add that I am extremely thankful to all the ones that let me love on and take care of their little (and not so little) ones. It’s my joy and honor to do so and I appreciate you trusting me with your precious “babies”.
2. I hate having my hands smell like food. My sense of smell has gotten so strong and extremely sensitive over the last 5 or so years… all a part of the constant 24/7, 365 migraine attack. If I ever eat around you, you will probably notice that I carry wipes in my purse to use after I eat if I don’t go to the bathroom to wash my hands (which is my preference).
3. The other reason I keep the wipes in my purse, is because I’m a bit of a germaphobe. Remember when I said I have wipes for my hands after I eat? Also, have them for before I eat if I don’t have the chance to wash my hands with soap and water. Or for after I pump gas. Or for many other reasons…
4. My favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip from Baskin Robbins. THE BEST!
5. My brother’s birthday is the only day of the year that he and I are one year apart. Every other day of the year we are two years apart. He was born the day before I turned two.
6. I pretty much hated high school.
7. One of my favorite things is sending and receiving mail… real handwritten notes, cards, letters! It’s a lost art. Side-note, did you know that children aren’t writing enough and are losing the muscle function to HOLD a writing utensil?!
8. I know a lot of random facts, information, and tidbits. When I can’t sleep (which is almost nightly), I often read articles, catch up on current events around the world, and read random (and I mean random) Wikipedia entries. When I’m nervous or my anxiety rears it’s ugly head in social situations, I may start bringing up random info… or laugh.
9. I’m not a big fan of elevators. Have a big fear of getting stuck on one… and it happened a few years ago. Thank goodness it only lasted 30 seconds or maybe a minute, even though it felt a lot longer!
10. Tulips are my favorite flower. All of them! They make my heart happy.
11. My ethnicity is constantly questioned… to the point that people think I’m lying and start arguing with me. Not to mention, I get pulled for “random” security checks every single time I fly. They are not a random occurrence for me.
12. I love to laugh! Though sometimes when I don’t know how else to react to something… I laugh. The majority of when I laugh is because I think something is funny, and if someone else is laughing, it can make me laugh harder. Apparently my mom thought I would outgrow a lot of my laughing when I got older. Oops, sorry Mom! One of my elementary school teachers (who I had 2 different years) nicknamed me Giggle-box if that tells you anything.
13. Cold, crisp autumn days are one of my favorite things.
14. I like to be quiet and just observe everyone around me, especially in lively social situations… it gives me insight to who they are and what they are like. Why yes, I’m an introvert… how did you ever guess?
15. Growing up, I always wanted freckles. No such luck… I only tan. My mom and brother get freckles and even have them on their eyes!
16. I have a fear of heights.
17. One of my favorite quotes is: “Each time anyone comes into contact with us, they must become different and better people because of having met us. We must radiate God’s love. We must know that we have been created for greater things, not just to be a number in the world, not just to go for diplomas and degrees, this work and that work. We have been created in order to love and to be loved. Love does not measure… it just gives.” -Mother Teresa
Beauty From Affliction 