Category Archives for "migraine"

Random Stretch Thoughts

Life continues to provide plenty of stretching opportunities. Today’s post is simply some of the things that are stretching me these days.

1. Headaches. Since the month of February, I’ve been dealing with lots of headaches. I haven’t had a migraine for a few weeks, but I’m still wrestling a bit with the day-to-day nuisance headaches. I started seeing someone who is helping with deep tissue message. This seems to be helping, but it seems like I still have a way to go until my back, shoulders, and neck loosen up.
2. Running. Yesterday, I shared about the 2nd Annual Race to Remember. Between blogging, headaches, and the other busyness of life, it can be a challenge to find a regular routine for running. I’m hoping that a date on the calendar will inspire me to be more consistent in my running.
3. Gardening. I don’t talk about gardening a whole lot here, but it is still one of my passions. Admittedly, this hobby has taken a backseat to my family, my job, my writing, and other activities. I did manage to get my garden planted a few weeks ago. Now, I need to figure out how to keep the deer and groundhogs out of the garden. And I need to find time to weed.
4. Blogging. I love the blog, and I intend on keeping it going. My main struggle is landing on my next path forward – What is the next step for the Stretched Blog?  Should I write and eBook? If so, where should I focus? I know for certain that I want to use my writing and blogging for something way bigger than myself. The Guatemala trip and the Stretched house is confirmation that anything is possible.
5. Guatemala. I really need to work on my Spanish. In nearly a month and a half, I’ll be making this life changing trip. I pray that I will be alert to the impact of this trip. We’re less than $2,700 away from paying for the house! Feel free to hop on board.
6. Family and marriage. This is a huge priority for me. Many times I feel like my attention and energy isn’t always where it should be. I don’t want to look back with any regrets. In a week, my daughter will be graduating from middle school. I know she’s ready for high school, but this milestone is a reminder that time isn’t slowing down. I need to make the most of the opportunities.
7. Faith. To put it plainly, my relationship with God has to be the most important thing in my life. I’m constantly filling my mind with good things, but I’m realizing more and more that I need to be still. This stretches me to the core.

I’m sure there are many other things that are stretching me, but this list provides a glimpse into the ones that keep coming back to me. I’m thankful that God is patient with us while we stretch. I’m thankful that he desires a relationship that is new, exciting, and stretching.

What’s stretching you see days?

(Don’t forget to get in on the giveaway that’s going on this week on the Stretched blog. Click here for more details.  There’s still time to win Platform by Michael Hyatt or Love Does by Bob Goff.)

Migraine Madness

During the month of February, I dealt with a series of migraines that finally led me to the doctors.  Thankfully, I have been feeling better each day for the past week, and it’s been over two weeks since my last migraine.  In the midst of my migraines, I wrote the following thoughts.  If you’ve had migraines, you can probably relate.  If you haven’t had migraines, this will give you a small glimpse into the “wonderful” world of impaired vision, numb hands, and piercing head pain.

My vision blurs as I begin to lose focus; I can barely see what lies ahead.

The words on the page become wavy as I wish I were home in my bed.

It’s as thought someone squeezed my eyes; I try to blink to see if it clears.

But nothing seems to help.  The pages smear.

Next, I notice my hand starts to tingle; I crack my knuckles to feel them pop.

Then suddenly, I feel nothing; My hand goes numb; my shoulders drop.

I’m frustrated.  Why must this persist?

It drives me crazy.  I can’t feel my fist.

As my vision fades back into view, and the feeling returns to my fingers

I know what’s next – a throbbing head pain that lingers.

Sometimes it lasts for an hour or two (if I’m lucky),

But often the pain and the lack of energy lasts for a day or two.

It feels like someone drove a nail through the side of my head – I want to cry

And then they stuck cotton rags behind my eyes.

Bright lights and sunny skies drive me into the dark;

I put on my sunglasses and I pray for and end to the pain and the disorientation.

When will it stop?  When will I think and see clearly – without distortion?

Can you feel my pain?  What have you been through that left you feeling frustrated or down?  What helped to lift you up?