Julie Owsik Ackerman
Recently, I had a migraine that lasted for about a month. Yes,
this sucks. If you ever find yourself with a headache for several days, call a
neurologist and a masseuse pronto. Give up caffeine if you can. I heard this
suggestion 15 years ago, and only managed it five days ago, so I understand if
you can’t. Reluctantly, I will report, five days without caffeine, and five
days without a headache. Bye-bye coffee. I will miss you, but we had a good
run. I’m also trying cranial sacral manipulation with an osteopath, which is awesome.
And, of course, self-care: more rest, more down time, slowing down, cutting
things out of the schedule, healthy eating, etc.
| Do I have to get up? |
Now that I’m feeling more like myself, I feel how I imagine
it may feel to wake from a coma. The house is a disaster. We had no diapers, no
clean clothes, no toilet paper, no food: you get the idea. My challenge this
week is to ease back in to normal life, without overdoing it. I did spend some
time tidying up last night and this morning – ‘tis the season after all. Of
course I stocked up on essentials, but I will try to keep up my regimen of rest
and self-care, reminding myself that after being sick for a full month, I will
not immediately be able to resume all normal activities. I may need to tie a
string around my finger as a reminder. Taking it easy does not come naturally
to me, and after a month of illness, and this long brutal winter, I am more
than ready for spring!
How can I gently celebrate spring’s arrival? I’d love
suggestions!
How about a gratitude walk on one of your favorite paths?!
ReplyDeleteAs you are walking, allow your mind to wander and state things you are grateful for. It's like a mindfulness walk and instead of being mindful of your breath, you are mindful of your gratitude!
Azul - what a beautiful suggestion! I'm going to do it today (weather permitting.) thank you!
DeleteI love the gratitude walk suggestion. Wish you could do it with me, down here at the beach.
ReplyDeleteGlad you feel better. I'm with you on how hard it is to slow down. Jim reminded me once again this morning that I do not have to do IT ALL in one day.
Cracking up at Jim's reminder. Still need that reminder all the time. All the time.
DeleteWhich cranial osteopath are you seeing?
ReplyDeleteDr. Jennifer Lorine at the OMM office at PCOM. She is still a resident, so she is supervised by Evan Nicholas.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear you are suffering this way. Migraines are the worst. My daughter has post-concussive syndrome and sees a chiropractor for relief. After a neck massage, back correction, and heat therapy, she's relaxed and able to sleep through the night. I guess she tenses up from the pain and consequently throws her whole spinal system out of whack. Maybe something to consider for yourself.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
Sue
Thanks, Sue. Yes, I am open to suggestions! So glad your daughter has also found relief. So hard for someone so young to have that kind of pain. I feel for her.
DeleteOww! Sorry to hear the migraine debilitated you so much. Glad you are caring for yourself. I also had weekly head/neck/shoulder massages to relieve my migraines.
ReplyDeleteAs for spring, sometimes I just stand at the supermarket/farm market/garden center outdoor flower displays and breathe in all the fragrances. At night, I can listen to the spring peepers in the marshes. Just standing still to feel the world's rebirth centers me.