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: God’s Word for Me 365 Devo’s for Boys
I love the Veggie Tales. Who doesn’t love the Cheeseburger song? I received Veggie Tales God’s Word for Me 365 Daily Devos for Boys. This is the cutest devotional book and I love the big print. Easy to read. The book is small enough for tiny hands to hold and...
Book Review: The Spanish Daughter
It feels good to get back to reading again. My latest novel I finished is one I have been waiting to read since January. The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes was part of the Once Upon A Book Club experience in January and I was excited to get it, but I had a huge...
Book Review: Reorganized Religion
I have been disheartened by the church since was a teenager when I saw how women, children, or anyone who was different and did not follow whatever invisible line was drawn in the sand that the church elders believed at the moment whether it was in the...
Messy Life
Healing is the name of the game for me this week. It has been one week since I had my third surgery in my lungs in a month period of time. I am breathing well. I can feel the stint sometimes when I move. It feels strange, but somehow it feels comforting at the same...
Book Review: Everyday Magic
I am still healing from my third surgery in the last month on my trachea and lungs, so finding joy in my life seems like a far fetched thing. I am happy to say that I enjoyed reading Mattie James book Everyday Magic. The concept in this book is that you do not...
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...