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…
I Am Redeemed
Big Daddy Weave is on my playlist on my Kindle that I listen to daily. I am Redeemed is one of my go to songs. I enjoyed reading Mike Weaver’s memoir on his life and his love of music. Redeemed has been a reminder for me everytime I hit a health challenge in these...
Dare To See
I used to watch Katie Brown’s TV show on Life Time Network back when I had cable and I loved her lay back and relaxed way of doing things. She didn’t make things complicated. It was simply. Here book Dare to See is the same way. The essays are simple, but also...
Dare To See
I used to watch Katie Brown’s TV show on Life Time Network back when I had cable and I loved her lay back and relaxed way of doing things. She didn’t make things complicated. It was simply. Here book Dare to See is the same way. The essays are simple, but also...
Your Battles Belong To The Lord
Your Battles Belong to the Lord by Joyce Meyer came into my life at the perfect time. I’ve been dealing with some doubt about my own journey and why I am suffering from a challenging and painful illness that leaves me wondering about my own identity. I grew up in a...
The Gryphon Heist
As someone who lives with a chronic illness that at times leaves me in pain or suffering from insomina I have learned to value books that allow me to get lost in a different story. The Gryphon Heist by James R. Hannibal is one of these stories that I recently got lost...
Daily Readings From Beyond Blessed
If you have not read Robert Morris’ book Beyond Blessed, I highly recommend you do so. In his latest book “Daily Readings From Beyond Blessed” Morris gives us a 90 day devotional to go with his book. I love the prayers and the scripture references he uses. I...
Real Life Love
Love and relationships are a cornerstone of everyone’s life. We all want love and we all want Relationships. Sometimes our execution is stunted. In Michael Gibson’s book Real Life Love he takes you on a journey of what real love is and what it isn’t. Gibson...
Kingdom Come
Kingdom Come by Melissa Zaldivar’s new book caused my heart and my mind to whirl. The insightful thoughts, Biblical descriptions, and scripture references were quoted with respect and with clear understanding of how to feel God within. Chapters like Just Do the...
A Story
Chronic pain, illness, and disability are painful yet effective teachers. They have an intense propensity to mold us and form us in empathy, compassion, and wisdom, enhancing our ability to be the hands and feet of God. Ester Smith I’m sitting on my bed typing...
Gangsta Prayer
I have a confession to make. Praying is one of my struggles. I feel so awkward doing it. I often envy people who are bold and can just talk to God with such confidence, grace, humility, and eloquence. I crave to be able to pray like that. Why am I talking about...