This Thursday I had the distinct excitement and pleasure of being proposed to by my best friend. Although I knew I was getting engaged at some point this month, I didn't know when, and the excitement and awe of the moment were still prominent. One cannot get engaged to be married without thinking about the … Continue reading Can’t Escape the Future
Are You There God? I Have a Migraine (Again).
I was raised in a religious Jewish household and attended private Jewish day-schools, and so right when I began speaking and reading, I began learning how to pray. I started small- saying a little prayer of thanks upon waking each morning, and I sang a bedtime prayer each night with my parents beside me. I … Continue reading Are You There God? I Have a Migraine (Again).
How Do You Do (And Don’t)
On Thursday my little cousin came in from Montreal to spend time with us. We had a great weekend going to parks, playing games, watching movies, and getting ice cream, all of which of course are a recipe for migraines when paired with a highly energetic (but lovable) eight year old and a hot summer … Continue reading How Do You Do (And Don’t)
My Invisibility Cloak
The most common phrase I hear when people discover I have chronic migraine- whether acquaintances or good friends- is "really? I had no idea!" Some people are shocked that they didn't notice, others are surprised I didn't tell them earlier, and most are then curious about what it means to have chronic migraine. I have … Continue reading My Invisibility Cloak
The Effects of Side Effects
When I was in seventh grade my teacher had us sit in a circle and name something we were thankful for. Most of my classmates expressed gratitude for their parents, their friends, (some kiss-ups said "school"), and various and sundry other big and wonderful things we should all be grateful for. My good friend, having … Continue reading The Effects of Side Effects
Cans and Can’ts
I didn't have the chance to write a blog yesterday because I was running around like a maniac at the third annual dance recital of Be You Dance Center (BYDC). I went with the amazing dedicated owner of this young studio to the high school where the recital was hosted at 11, and left at … Continue reading Cans and Can’ts
Needles and Nausea
Though the ER visit last week helped temporarily to alleviate the pain, the migraine returned again with vigor, and my neurologist recommended that I come into Philly for three days of outpatient infusions. I was pumped full of intravenous Reglan, Benadryl, Ativan, Toradol, Depacon, and fluids, and slogged my way through a dizzy stupor. My … Continue reading Needles and Nausea
My Personal Pharmacy
Last night was the first time I went to the ER for migraine treatment. I was on day four of a migraine that responded to my abortive medications but kept coming back the next day like that neighbour who just needs to borrow one egg. And then your snowblower. And needs you to pet sit. … Continue reading My Personal Pharmacy
Boot Camp
My stay in the migraine ward of the Methodist hospital on South Broadway in Philadelphia, started with my nurse clipping two bracelets around my wrist. The first one was red and said "ALLERGY" - I have some medicinal and food allergens to watch out for- and the second in bright yellow called out “FALL RISK.” … Continue reading Boot Camp
And so it Begins…
I never saw myself as a blog writer. I guess I never particularly saw myself as someone with a chronic illness either though, yet here we are. I suffer from chronic migraine. This means that at my worst, I am in pain 75% of the time. At some point throughout all the madness of doctor … Continue reading And so it Begins…
Going Against the 'Graine 