March 2022 marked 21 years with one migraine attack for me. One single migraine attack has encompassed every second of every day of my life for 21 years. (Although, I’ve had migraine disease for 38 years.)
When this first started during my freshman year of college, I never thought it would last this long or that I could possibly survive two decades of non-stop, 24/7 constant pain and a plethora of other symptoms. Yet, here I am.
Thank you to the ones that still make an effort to keep in touch with me and maintain a friendship. I know I’m not always the most reliable person anymore with having a chronic illness and chronic intractable pain. Thank you for trying to understand even a fraction of what I go through. Thank you for asking questions to broaden your understanding. Thank you for inviting me to meet up with you to catch up, laugh, watch a movie, enjoy a meal together, or just see each other because we’re a part of each other’s lives. It means more than you will ever know. Thank you for loving me, no matter what. Thank you for sending me random notes in the mail, texts to check in or to make me laugh or to update me on you. Thank you for giving me opportunities to get out and feel “normal” again, even if it’s only for a little bit. Those moments, even when they are few and far between help me get through it all. Thank you for all the encouragement, support, love and most importantly of all, the prayers that you’ve bestowed on me and on my behalf through the years.
I wouldn’t have made it this far without you, my family and God. ❤️❤️
Next year I should really “celebrate” with cake. Because let’s be honest, cake is a great option at any time!
When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
— Isaiah 43:2
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
— 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
Beauty From Affliction 