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.
Read Jamie’s Latest Blog Posts…
Book Review: The Florence Legacy
I just finished reading a novel by Lauraine Snelling called The Florence Legacy. This is such a sweet, heartwarming, and inspirational book. Perfect for me to read while I am recovering from yet another surgery. Snelling writing is simple, but elegant....
Herd of Turtles
Nine days into September and I am late with my monthly post. I am moving slow. I have had three surgeries between my trachea and lungs this month. From August 10th my first surgery, August 25th, and yesterday on the 8th. I am not done yet. I have surgery in...
Book Review: Crazy Joy
I was in the hospital for 16 days so I am way behind on my to be read pile. Crazy Joy by Mary Katherine Backstrom is one of the books that was on my to be read pile, so I spent labor day weekend diving into her self-help book. One of the things I loved...
Book Review: Dead Sea Conspiracy
I sometimes have a hard time sleeping, so I sleep in shifts. That is why I enjoy reading novels like Dead Sea Conspiracy by Jerry B. Jenkins. This is a simply written book, with great descriptions and good research on the Bible and the story of Abraham...
Book Review: You Can Shine Bright
I received this sweet children’s book by Jinger and Jeremy Vuolo on the fruits of the spirit. I love the gorgeous illustrations that were done by Naomi C. Robinson. The message is simple and easy, perfect for any adult and child to read. The reminder to be...
Breathing, Lungs, Stints, and arranging, Oh My
Finally, after weeks of not having a quiet moment to myself I finally have some time to reflect and think about what happened in August. It has been a whirlwind, a tornado, an earth quick. It has been overwhelming, maddening, depressing, and hopeful all wrapped into...
Book Review: Deception
This is a book about being deceived, abandoned, and betrayed and then learning to forgive and live well afterwards. This book is centered around FBI Agent Madison Thorn and her messy life and going back to her home town and learning even more dark secrets about...
Book Review: Think Like a Horse
The latest book that I read “Think Like a Horse” by Grant Golliher is about one of my favorite creatures, horses. I have always loved horses. When I was a little girl we lived on a horse ranch in Eastern Washington for a bit. I would see the wild horses and the...
Book Review: Confidently You
Joyce Meyer’s latest book is titled “Confidently You” is full of her blunt, no nonsense sage advice she gives you on God’s word, The Fruits of the Spirit, and how to live well through all the suffering and challenges in life. Confidently You teaches you how to...
Book Review: The Extraordinar Deaths of Mrs. Kip
I just finished reading “The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kips” Sara Brunsvold. Mrs Clara Kip is the type of elderly woman that I want to be when I reach the age of 79. This is an amazing story how an older woman and a younger woman create a friendship. Aidyn...