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…
What I Have Learned
2018 is almost gone and it is time to start another year and set another intentional word for 2019. Reflection on my year of rebuilding is what is on my mind for this post. What have I learned, a lot. One, I give up too easily on myself. I have no...
Decoding Your Dreams
I believe God speaks to me in my dreams. Although, at times I am mystified and wondering what he is trying to tell me and I have been more confused by dream interpreters. In Jennifer LeClaire’s book Decoding Your Dreams she helps her readers...
Dead Sea Rising
I found another book that I had a hard time putting down once I started reading. It is called Dead Sea Rising by Jerry B. Jenkins. I’m looking forward to when book two in the series comes out sometime in 2019. I find reading a helpful tool...
The Golden Thread
I enjoy reading books about courageous people who with God fight a health crisis and learn so much more about God and themselves. In Darlene Zschech’s book The Golden Thread you learn a lot about her own journey with cancer. The entire book is...
Rebuilding, One Step At a Time
Finally, it feels like I am making progress. In January, when I chose the word rebuild as my focus word for the year I didn’t realize all the challenges I would encounter. Those challenges include many thoughts of self-doubt, wondering if I am making the...
What a Great Word
Spending time with God every morning is one of my self-care routines that I begin my day with. I use the Bible app mostly. I also enjoy devotional books one of those is Karen Moore’s new one called What a Great Word: a Year of Daily Devotions. I love that it is one...
Holy Roar
I first listened to Chris Tomlin’s worship music with my sister after she picked me up for a trip. I never heard him before and I could tell that my sister enjoyed his music. I have to admit I did too. When I received the opportunity to read Chris...
Becoming Gertrude
I have enjoyed a few of Eugene Peterson’s book, including The Message Bible that he put out, so I was excited to get to read his wife’s book Becoming Gertrude. I was not disappointed. I love the concept of cultivating spiritual friends that is used over and...
This Season of Angels
Warfare, spiritual warfare whenever I hear this I get a pit in my stomach. I’ve been taught about spiritual warfare between the angelic angels of God and Satan and his demons. I know in the end God wins, he will always win. Yet, the part I don’t like is...
Beyond Blessed
I have read some books that basically tell you to treat God as a vending machine. I was hoping while reading Robert Morris’ new book Beyond Blessed that he wouldn’t be saying the same old jargon I have heard and don’t believe. He didn’t. I really appreciated what...