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: Stilte: The Art of Quietude
Calmness, less anxiety, and focusing on the scripture of Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God. With all of my medical challenges choosing to be calm, quiet, and not drawn to the chaotic noise of medical drama is difficult. I love the soul inspiring...
Book Review: The Salt Path
I love memoirs, especially ones that center on people going on life changing adventures. In “The Salt Path” by Raynor Winn we go on her life altering adventure with her and her husband Moth. They lost their family business and farm and on top of that Moth got a...
Book Review: Feels Like Home
I enjoy watching home improvement shows and decorating shows. That is why this book by Marian Parsons is a gorgeous and lovely book for my bookshelf. Flipping through the book for the first time I am at awe with the magical pictures that inspire creative...
Book Review: A Midnight Dance
I use reading novels as a pain management tool. The tool I use is distraction. This helps me to get my mind off my pain. My latest novel that I read as a distraction is A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano. I am not a big artsy woman, but this is...
Empties for September
September has flown the nest and October has come rolling in. That means fall is here. I am loving the cooler weather and the rain. Makes breathing so much better for me. I can wear my fuzzy socks, drink hot tea and cocoa, and see the changing colors. The cool crisp...
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...