I’ ve always been a healthy individual. I have no chronic illnesses, and I don’ t take any prescribed medications. Preventative care was the norm for me. Visits to the doctor’ s office were for my annual physical and my annual ob-gyn exam. I even started a weight loss regiment to boost my energy and my overall quality of life. The total weight loss was approximately 50 lbs. Yay me! Then the unthinkable happened.
In June of 2013 I began to experience excruciating headaches and killer migraines. The pain radiated down into my left jaw. I tried taking every over-the-counter pain medication available to find relief. Nothing helped. This experience continued for about three weeks. The agony drove me to the emergency room not once, but twice. Both times my supervisor drove me to the hospital from the office, and both times I was barely medicated and sent home. A simple headache was my diagnosis. The pain really intensified, and I didn’ t think that that was possible.
JUNE 2013 It Just Wasn ' t My Time... PHEWWW!!!
My Life Has Purpose! It radiated on the left side and down my left jaw. I began to think perhaps there was an issue with my teeth. I even made a dentist appointment, but I never made it to the dentist’ s office.
Monday, June 17, 2013 was the worst day of all in terms of the pain. I was already convinced it couldn’ t get any worse, but it did. I came home from work and lay down immediately. I didn’ t know what to do, so I decided to take something that would put me to sleep. I slept for quite some time. It was 2:00 AM when I woke up. I needed to use the restroom, but I struggled to get up. When I tried to sit up, my head felt so heavy. It was like an anvil was resting on my forehead. After a few minutes, I was able to get out of bed and walk down the hall to the restroom, but not without bumping into the walls. In hindsight, I now know my equilibrium was off. I went back to bed hoping to get enough rest for work in the morning.
Tuesday morning, June 18, 2013, 9:32 AM EST, turned out to be the day I’ ll never forget. Of course, I was extremely exhausted from the night before.
FAITH HEART MAGAZINE I 6