Stories and Art
 |
| Keeping my Head Above Water, swimming in the Methow River |
For me, keeping my head above water with migraine doesn’t mean just keeping up w/ household tasks and chores. It means choosing which things are most important in my life and figuring out how I can “show up.” The chores that don’t get done are always waiting for me when I’m ready or my kind husband steps up to the plate.
How much does it cost? Simple question, no? And it deserves an answer. But try asking when you go for a medical procedure or heaven forbid, if you end up in the hospital. No one can answer it and very often they’re surprised when you ask.
 |
| Cost-of-care questions are a no-no |
Wednesday, beginning at 8:00 am in the morning, my heart was electrified, probed and poked until it did it’s odd, unsettling, rhythmic thing of sending out extra errant beats. Then that little wild piece of me was forever silenced, cauterized.
 |
| Image of ablation of my heart. |
Today is July 5th. Where I live in the far northwest corner of the Pacific Northwest, we say summer begins after the 4th of July. Today was the first beautiful, sunny, summer day and I’m content though not headache free. I just feel more optimistic when the clouds lift and the temperature finally warms up enough to put on my sandals “permanently” until October. I plan, but it doesn’t always go my way, and I try to leave things loose enough to always have a back-up plan.
Last summer my husband and I went on a road trip from Washington State to Santa Cruz, Calif. to see my youngest son. We did a side trip to Crater Lake in Ore., which is at about 8,000 feet. We camped in chilly 40 degree night-time temperatures and headed down the mountain the following morning. The elevation dropped quickly and temperatures began to rise rapidly. My head began to throb, and soon I knew I didn’t have it in me to deal with cooking and camping in our van. We headed to the nearest motel in Redding. Continue reading “Here Comes Summer!”