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…
Breaking the Fear Cycle
Fear, an unknown person, place, or thing or action that you have no control over. It seems to permeate your whole body, mind, and spirit. It is hard to hand that over to God and let His will be done. In Maria Furlough’s book Breaking the Fear...
New Eating Plan
Time sure is passing by fast. My journey to rebuilding has taken me on a many step process of going towards weight loss surgery. Last Thursday I saw the nutritionist for the first time. For the next four months I will be going to a once a month nutritional class and...
Adamant
This year I have been focusing on rebuilding many aspects of my life. I felt God call me to the word rebuild and so I have been intentional about what I am choosing to rebuild. God provided me with a copy of Lisa Bevere’s new book Adamant. Although,...
My Father’s Business
I cannot imagine starting my own business and having it last several generations, but that is exactly what happened in Cal Turner Jr. legacy. In “My Father’s Business” we go on a journey with Cal Turner Jr through his grandfather and fathers and then...
Begin Again
Spring is here. The perfect chance to Begin again. I’m starting a new adventure, one that requires dedication, commitment, and bravery. I’m so glad that Leeana Tankersley book Begin Again: The Brave Practice of Releasing Hurt and Receiving Rest came into...
Forgiving God
I cannot imagine how I would feel or handle having a special needs child or one that required a lot of surgeries in order to fix a cleft palate. That is exactly what Hilary Yancey had to endure while carrying her child. Dealing with the medical changes...
Defeating Dementia
Dementia seems to be becoming more prevalent. It is scary. In Dr. Richard Furman’s new book Defeating Dementia he shares some great case studies and even some healthful wellness tips to take care of your brain and the plaque that forms in your brain that causes...
Embraced
I love how God works. I just finished one devotional and another one shows up. This time it is Lysa Terkeurst devotional “Embraced: 100 Devotions to Know God is Holding You Close”. I have read many of Lysa Terkeurst books and even her Proverbs 31 essays....
A Letter For Every Mother
Being a mother is a tough job. It’s a thankless job. In “A Letter For Every Mother” by Kara Lawler and Regan Long they write letters to all sorts of mothers. Although, I am not a mother, I still found value in reading Lawler and Long’s book. They write...
Forgotten Teams
I’m not a big sports person, the only sports that I watched when I was a kid was baseball because that was my dads favorite. He really liked the Cardinals and The Oakland A’s. Those were his teams. When I received Forgotten Teams by Pat Williams I wasn’t...