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…
Finish First
I enjoy reading stories of people who triumph despite their medical challenges and Scott Hamilton is one of these people. He has endured a lot of challenges. In his book Finish First he shares what some of those challenges are and gives us first hand insight...
Always Fall Forward
I’m not much for football. Although, I have several friends, both male and female who love the game. I have never played it and I don’t enjoy watching it. I do however appreciate the training these athletes receive. It is intense. In Todd Gerelds book...
Breaking Cover
I enjoy reading memoirs, biographies, and autobiographies, so when a chance to read Michele Rigby Assad’s Breaking Cover came up I knew that I wanted to read it. I’m glad that I did. If you are into CIA spy stories and learning about what it takes to become one then...
There Is More
I saw Hillsong United live in Portland Oregon a couple of years ago with my older sister. I deeply appreciate and feel connected to Jesus when I listen to Hillsong United. Brian Houston’s son is in the band and has written some of their worship songs. I have...
What If You Weren’t Able To Speak?
I sit naked, with only the gown on waiting to be called to the operating room I am reminded of how many times I have been through this. The nurses, the doctors, are all kind and have looks of bewilderment, amazement, and apprehensive when the see and realize that this...
Putting It Together Again When It’s All Fallen Apart
My focus word for 2018 is Rebuild, so I was excited when I received Tom Holladay’s book PUtting it Together Again When It’s All Fallen Apart. Several people in my life suggested that read Nehemiah as my Bible Study this year. I’m glad that I received this book...
A Passionate Hope
When I was younger I enjoyed reading the stories in the old testament of the Bible. I loved Ester, Hannah, and many others. Recently I was excited to learn that there are writers who write fiction stories about these same characters that I adore. I have...
When is it Right To Die?
In the early nineties when I was a sophomore in high school I wrote a research paper on the right to die. Back then I was for it, I was young and somewhat healthy, my views have changed a bit since my sophomore year in high schools but not by much. In...
Phoebe’s Light
I have discovered that I enjoy reading historical fiction a few months back, so when I was offered a chance to read another historical fiction novel I was excited. In Suzanne Woods Fisher historical fiction novel a young woman name Phoebe explores whaling and...
The Last Black Unicorn
I saw Tiffany Haddish interviewed a couple of times and I thought she was smart and funny. Then when I saw The Last Black Unicorn her memoir I knew I wanted to read it. I’m glad I did. Haddish is a warrior, she has been through hell a few times and she kept on...