Migraine Attacks: The Holidays and Missing Out

Before Thanksgiving, I posted about being thankful and planned on posting a follow-up with all of the beautiful things my readers shared. Thank you for your inspiration!

Guess what happened? Yep, I was very migraine sick all through Thanksgiving.

Holidays

Before the holidays, I read a post about being aware that not everyone is grateful and some feel lost during the season due to missing loved ones or other reasons. I never considered that my thankful post could offend someone, and it made me aware.

So after I spent my Thanksgiving the way I spend many holidays (sick!), I thought, “What about the people who are missed?” I understand this was about people who probably have passed away or are missing, and it also applied to me.

In my case, people didn’t miss me physically but personally. Also, to be the person missed is unfortunate. My thankfuls include so many people and to miss out is hard.

I no longer feel guilty about lying on the couch; my kids piled on top of me to watch the parade, and I had no clue how excruciatingly awful I felt. I feel sorry for myself. Therefore, I don’t usually allow myself to go down the negative route, but the truth is, missing and being missed is sad. The holidays aren’t accessible; they just aren’t.

When I finally felt well enough to distract my head for a bit, I saw all these happy, smiling posts about Thanksgiving. I’m sad I didn’t get to smile that day in pictures. I saw all these delicious meals, and I’m sad I didn’t get to cook. And, I saw my kids run around with their cousins while the adults gathered in the kitchen, drinking and laughing, and I’m sad I got to hear it from the other room because it was too bright and loud for me while being unable to be vertical.

Recovery

I slowly felt better throughout the weekend, but recovering is not quick. I choose to be positive because going down the adverse road is something I don’t feel makes me better. But I do get sad. I get missed and miss a lot. I get down about my past and discouraged by the little changing future I see ahead with my migraines.

Yesterday I started my week with a cry. I only cry alone and don’t let myself get too carried away because it will trigger me. I can’t even cry without being dictated to by this migraine disease that plagues me. But I’m moving on. I cried, I’m posting to give and get support, and I’m moving on. Tomorrow is a new day and a new reason to post thankfuls.