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: How to Talk With God
Another great book by Joyce Meyer. I struggled with talking to God. Actually, talking. I scream at Him. I tell him off, but talking actually take active listening too. I don’t listen sometimes if I am being honest with myself. My faith and trust in God has been...
Book Review: Mostly Veggies
In April, when I got home from spending a month in the hospital from having sepsis I received a cookbook. I love reading cookbooks. I know, strange, how do you read a cookbook. I read, because each cook, chef, writer offers ideas on how to food prep, why they...
Book Review: When Worries Whisper
Worry, who doesn't worry? It is a normal emotion that we all share in some form, but there are worries that can overtake and cause damage to your mental stability. In Joyce Meyers, newest children's book When Worry Whispers she explores this with...
Book Review: Moonlight Memories
“Moonlight Memories” will become a special book. It is a book about grief. A young childed named Piper mother passed away a month prior and her father did not know what to do about his own grief or his own daughters. So he decided to purchase her a telescope....
Emotions Run Deep
I have been missing, the longer I am gone the more I procrastinate and don’t write. I have had the writing use taping me on the shoulder telling me it is time for me to get back up and write and read again. Since December 2022 when I I ended up in the hospital with...
Book Review: Daughter of Eden
When God created man and woman and then the woman ate the fruit from the forbidden tree and she got the entire blame for it and made to feel like she force feed it to Adam this story never set right with me. Because this is told from a mans perspective. What...
Book Review: A Thousand Tomorrows
Many of you who have been reading my blog for a long time know about my breathing issues and the struggle I have been going through. Including, my recent 4 procedures for my lungs with the last one being in October. Well, Karen Kingsbury book A Thousand...
Book Review: Honor’s Refuge
Hallee Bridgemqn new book “Honor’s Refuge” talks about domestic violence and different abuses that happen in relationships. The prologue alone broke my heart as I read about two little girls watch their father kill their mother. This is a tough story, but it is...
Book Review: The Story of Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner, can you believe it? The Story of Christmas by Patricia Pingry tells the story of Jesus birth and why we celebrate Christmas. It is a beautiful cardboard book that toddlers and young children can enjoy while their parents or...
Book Review: Sundown
Sadly, it is almost three in the morning and I have not slept. I have a wound on my leg and am on heavy antibiotics, as well as dealing with other health conditions at the moment. One of the ways that I process through this is by reading great books, both...