Friends and Migraine
There is absolutely no way that I would have survived the past 14 years of Chronic Intractable Migraine without the support of truly wonderful friends and family. My friends have fought for me, dragged me to the ER, held me, and just been there when needed. Here are two poems about friends.
The first, describes a truly horrible ER visit where the doctors doubled the dose of Depakan and gave it, along with other medications (benedryl, phenergan, and pain medication), in a wide open IV.
In the matter of a few minutes, I went from being fine to breathing 6 times a minute. I don’t remember much- I remember that the doctors asking JT to keep me awake. The next thing I knew I was being rushed to the ICU part of the ER. Then, I spent the weekend in the step-down Critical Care unit on oxygen. I know for a fact that if he hadn’t been there, I might not be writing this today. He is a Marine and one of the bravest men I know and I am truly blessed to call him my friend.
Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis is his motto, and that of the Corps he so esteems, and in a way, that of the Church he serves. So he helps and takes her to the hospital where stronger weapons will help push the enemy back.
In the Emergency room, the Marine stands by her side as she is poked, and a line is placed. This Maginot line is meant to give relief, but like its namesake, the enemy breaks through.
Medications are ordered and pushed into the line.
He stands by as the unthinkable happens- the medication drips too quickly.
She starts to sleep. A doctor notices and asks him to “keep her awake”.
She asks for stories and he tries to keep her attention with stories he told his children,
But he sees her slip into unconsciousness again.
Her breathing drops too quickly- ten breaths a minute, nine, seven, six.
Suddenly, doctors flood the room and push medications to reverse the damage and give oxygen.
Still, he stands by her side.
He remembers seeing comrades fight this before, and he prays, knowing she will win.
In that moment, he embodies the principles of two organizations he loves most, the Marine Corps and the Church- he remains faithful to his friend and to God.
In that moment, the Marine disappears leaving only the person of Christ, the good shepherd going after that one lost sheep,
And rejoicing when that sheep is found.
The second poem describes how a true friendship began. I was moving into the dorms at graduate school. I was low on pain medication and had a horrible migraine. There were four of us in the room. Two were so scared of me- I was crying in a chair (which is not something I do often)- and it was enough to scare two of them. Once the third person realized it was migraine, she just stepped closer, offered her hand and in that moment, we became friends. It shows that through all of this people are still capable of amazing things- and that the simplest act can lead to the most amazing things.
It was a balmy August evening.
Four students stand in a college dorm room.
From the outside, it appears to be a typical scene- students discussing a new semester, dreams of what will be, rules, or dinner, but it is nothing of the sort.
Inside, you will find a battle.
One of the students sits in a chair, weeping with despair and begging for an end to the pain in her head.
Two others stand in the far corner of the room, looking on the scene with fear.
The fourth, a quiet, somewhat shy student bridges the gap.
Like Caesar crossing the Rubicon, or the Samaritan who stopped to help, she crosses the room to help the weary screaming student.
She holds out her hand offering help.
The two students in the corner look on in surprise, their faces reveal thier shock and awe at the event.
The student in the chair calms a bit- still in pain, but no longer alone.
In that moment, a friendship was born.
In that moment, the parable of the Good Samaritan was reenacted, a prayer was answered, and I saw the face of God.
It was a balmy August evening and four students were alone in a dorm room.
Four students stand in a college dorm room.
From the outside, it appears to be a typical scene- students discussing a new semester, dreams of what will be, rules, or dinner, but it is nothing of the sort.
Inside, you will find a battle.
One of the students sits in a chair, weeping with despair and begging for an end to the pain in her head.
Two others stand in the far corner of the room, looking on the scene with fear.
The fourth, a quiet, somewhat shy student bridges the gap.
Like Caesar crossing the Rubicon, or the Samaritan who stopped to help, she crosses the room to help the weary screaming student.
She holds out her hand offering help.
The two students in the corner look on in surprise, their faces reveal thier shock and awe at the event.
The student in the chair calms a bit- still in pain, but no longer alone.
In that moment, a friendship was born.
In that moment, the parable of the Good Samaritan was reenacted, a prayer was answered, and I saw the face of God.
It was a balmy August evening and four students were alone in a dorm room.
It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship- we roomed together for the next three years and are still great friends today.
I have truly been blessed with wonderful friends.
