Message from Jamie Holloway
For eleven years I have been learning to live well with chronic illness. It hasn’t been perfect. I haven’t always been successful at achieving my goals. It has been a chaotic, messy, learning experience that has made my life adventurous. I have learned a lot about how complicated, dangerous & even emotionally, spiritually & mentally draining living with several diagnoses is.
I am asked by my many doctors, nurses, caregivers, friends, family, strangers & store clerks how I have maintained my good attitude despite the many medical adventures, I have lived through, that might have left me feeling bitter, angry, broken & unforgiving. All I can say is, I made decisions & I followed through. One decision was to fight for me. Jesus fought for me so why shouldn’t I?
I also realized, I didn’t want my crawl through lifelong sickness, just for my own benefit. I wanted to be a wellness advocate & help those who are in the same predicament. I wanted to be one of the helpers that Mr. Roger’s speaks about. I do this by reminding myself that my attitude can help me navigate through the dark channels of chronic illness.
I am determined to say thank you to the doctors, nurses, caregivers, anyone who helps me. Showing gratitude reminds you that your life is not over just because you are sick. I say thank you & I mean it. I also decided that I didn’t want to become idle. I want to actually accomplish something, so I started writing.
I believe communicating my pain, needs, & being willing to listen as part of communication allows me to be able to be in a good relationship with my team. I have a good support system of family, friends, doctors, nurses, & caregivers who allow me to achieve many of the goals I have made. I am able to live in my home & able to keep on breathing, writing, reading & loving on my boy, Nicholas.
Since 2017 I have been an owner of Wellness Works NW. I serve as the Research Manager. I am a lead writer & my column is called Chasing Wellness.
Book Reviews
I love reading. This is one thing that keeps me busy and not feeling sorry for myself because I sometimes feel useless in my condition. I have enjoyed every book I have read, even if some of them weren’t my favorite. I enjoy the process of reading and reviewing books.
Read Jamie’s Latest Blog Posts…
Book Review: Since You’ve Been Gone
Since You’ve Been Gone is a coming-of-age story of a woman discovering herself and a man who finally gets to let the girl he has been crushing on forever that he loves her. This was a fast read for me. I love simple stories that have a happy ending. Tari...
Book Review: The Healing of Natalie Curtis
I love historical fiction, especially those that are based on real people. In Jane Kirkpatrick’s latest novel, The Healing of Natalie Curtis this is such a story. This wonderful story takes you on a journey of a woman who loves music and discover the...
Book Review: The Art of Gathering
I find this book interesting. Especially the chapter about inviting guests and how to choose who will come. The author brought up excluding people who do not fit your purpose. The reason I find this interesting is because we live in a world where inclusion is a...
Book Review: Over It
It is not often that I do not connect with a book, Over It by Kelsey Grimm is one of those rare books that I have a hard time connecting to. That being said, I am positive with her encouraging message that others would connect and find value in...
Book Review: Hostile Intent
I enjoy reading Lynette Eason’s novels. I have read several of them. In her latest one Hostile Intent you go on a journey of a young woman and an FBI agent and how her family is involved with the murder of other families. This is a great novel, full of...
Book Review: Authentically, Uniquely You
Yep, I got to read another Joyce Meyer book. I had a tough time reading this book, not because it was not good, but because it knocked me in the head more so than usual. I am going to admit to you that I compare myself all the time to others. Since I have...
Empties for August
It is hard to believe that this is the last day of August. It went by super fast, didn't it? I was scheduled for my next dilation surgery for my throat on September 1st, but it was cancelled because of the hospitals being at 95 percent closer and the new Delta variant...
Book Review: Sacred Tears
Grief is an old friend that I have known since I was 13 years old when my birth mother passed away. When 2009 came around and my chronic illness journey began, I knew grief was going to be part of it. I still grieve from time to time. In my Faith box in August,...
Book Review: Once There Were Wolves
When I read the synopsis of Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy it intrigued me. A woman moves to Scotland with her sister to help reassigned wolves. It is a mystery; it is a great description about wolves and the problems of conservatory for them but...
Book Review: Built to Belong
Community is something that I strive to connect and be part of. I hated competing and competitions when I was younger, and I still do. I rather work together than compete. I think the world would be a much better place if we all had that mindset. Built...