Inside your thank you note, include a picture of yourself enjoying a migraine-free day. My pic is of me and my son outside playing frisbee on a beautiful day with our dogs.

Dear Teri:

It is great to thank all of our "support systems" at this time of year.  I thought I should mention that anther time when I give "thanks" to my health partners is when I have gone through a particularly difficult time with headache control.   I know it also frustrates my physicians and my husband, so I send them notes or an email to thank them not only for their care, time, recommendations, etc., but for not giving up on our "search" for something else that might help. 

When I see them, I thank them for their patience, understanding, willingness to read articles that I bring into them, and for their guidance.  Particularly with a type of headache that none of them have treated before (nor the ER docs--the Hypnic headache) I know it is also very frustrating for them.  While I realize they are embarrassed by what they don't know, I remind them that "no one really knows" the answers yet, but that I appreciate having their support in the journey to find the answers.

When I think of you, I think of someone who is a pioneer for lobbying on behalf of headache and chronic pain sufferers amidst confusing health care and policial systems.  I also think of you as delving through tons of research contantly, being our shoulder to cry on.  You do these things even when you are not feeling so great.  It is your ability to forge ahead amidst all these obstacles and your unselfish willingness to share all that you have learned and experienced.  This often gives me hope that for those headache sufferers with the worst cases that seem not to respond to anything so far, there may be solutions just around the corner.  And if there are, you will be among the first to know, and to let us know.

Dr. Kreutz and Nancy Bonk--and all the moderators--also deserve our utmost thanks as their unselfish support helps in so many ways also.

Not giving up--and not being put off by the obstacles of politics, negative thinkers, and a health care system that is difficult to interpret and inassessible to many--show your strength of character and conviction to make a huge difference in the world.  I hope on Thanksgiving and everyday you know that I (and many others)  are in awe of your achievements and grateful for your dedication to "the cause."

Wishing you a Holiday season without pain!

Hugs,

Clemmie

Hi, Terri!  Would like to start the Thanksgiving season by saying a big thank-you for this site.  While one is never glad others suffer, it is gratifying to know that I'm not some kind of freak or pathetic hypochondriac - as more and more of us 'educate' the medical community, we will have better success gaining understanding and one day, successful treatments for all who suffer Migraine Disease.  A wonderful Thanksgiving to all - Lynn

Anonymous

11/20/08 3:50pm

I agree. Teri and others on the board thanks for your information, advice and support.

Clemmie I agree it's a great idea to thank the doctors etc that do try to assist us (and encourages more of that). I feel also formally in writing or via a card is good too as it's something tangible they can keep.

We can also certainly find ways to show appreciation of our supportive family and friends. It can be doing something nice with them they enjoy, a card, gift, assisting them in something....

Cheers DJ