Superbowl Sunday has arrived and I am sitting here with the hubby listening to the telly hype building up to the big event and I'm reminded of the big game two weeks ago and the hype that preceded that big game which of course included Percy Harvin and his migraines and that in turn reminded me of Teri's eloquent gripe. On any given day or hour I would totally align with Teri's frustration and message and god knows when my husband read it he was totally team Teri.
. . . Except I have a personal experience that I have to share it may not seem earth shaking to anyone else but to me it urges me on to write on not to invalidate or lessen the message Teri so passionately expresses for all of us but to give us all hope that every mention of migraine no matter how useless or irritating can be an enormous gift to someone (The lessons of football are many the lessons of life are many and its hard to determine where they begin and where they end). Page a.
The first migraines I remember coincided with my first memories of childhood around the age of three so I may have even had them as a baby. My father is the only other one in my family that had terrible headaches but only a few after a night of drinks in his twenties so I guessing my migraine curse came from his side of the family but he was adopted so no information on what my headaches were was available to me. My father learned to be a teetotaler and was pretty much good to go. I felt pretty alone with my condition back then not much information was available and no one in my family seemed to know what to do with me. The general consensus was that I was just a sensitive soul and couldn't handle stress. Still this weakling was the first of our family to go to college without family aid working one job during the school session (thankfully at the quiet school library) and up to three summer jobs. My hope was to be an architect but unfortunately by the time I completed the four-year bachelor I was financially and physically depleted and had to put that dream on the back burner unfortunately never to come off it due to ever increasing battle of the migraines.
The migraines made it a battle to just meet basic needs food, rent etc let alone further schooling. Not understanding why I was failing I just started buying into what was quietly served up to me via family that I was a bit of a weakling and couldn't handle stress.
To relieve this stress I couldn't handle I would watch the Denver Broncos on Sundays the one day I usually wasn't working one of my two or three jobs. My love affair with the Broncos began at an early age as all Denverites back in the 70's. Denver was still an up and coming city and we had only one sports team. (no baseball, hockey etc.) but we did have a pitiful football team and everyone absolutely everyone was behind our team. We were totally devoted. We wore orange for god sake can you image bright orange? We hair sprayed our hair orange! Okay that was me but hey I wasn't the only one buying the stuff. We drank orange crush by the case load. Our team players wrote songs like "make those miracles happen" and we bought them and played them over and over. The man I eventually married got a date with me because he drove an orange 1975 vett. Everyone in town gave us the high five because they thought he had got it especially painted for the broncos. Little did anyone know he was a transplant from Louisiana and got the car 10 years before used for a bargain price because no one in Saints territory could appreciate a color like that. I swiftly converted my new man into a Bronco fan and we had years of enjoying Elway. Along with the Elway came another wonderful new Bronco player named Terrill Davis. I feel in love with his playing long before I learned he was a migraine sufferer. The timing of hearing about Terrill Davis plight with migraines couldn't come at a better time for me because my migraines finally were getting to hard for me to handle and maintain any kind of life. I now for the first time could put a face to another sufferer and could see he was not a weakling he was a young strong man who excelled at a very physical sport. Because of the news stories I was able to advocate for myself new preventatives and neck pt. Unfortunately they helped for a short time but I still had to quit work and the hubby and I ended up moving across the country so I couldn't keep up with the news on Terrill Davis' fight.
Who Dat? Who Dat? Headacut, I am a Saints fan, born and reared in Who Dat Nation. I am so grateful that my stress, excitement, and happy tears didn't bring on the major pain that I prepared for!!! Just had to say hello, and I truly appreciate your comments. As I told you once before, I too am in my forties, and I too receive many of those "helpful comments" from loved ones. I took a leave from work this semester- hoping that I'll find some relief soon. You mentioned giving up your career dreams. I also understand that feeling. I am a teacher, in grad school majoring in Educ. Leadership. This is almost a joke..... if I can't teach right now, what makes me think that I'll be in any condition for advancement in the near future. Who knows if I'll be able to return to work at all?!
This site is and has been my refuge! Where else can we find so many that truly understand our battles? Again....thanks for your comments!!
Maggie,
Good to hear from you again! Didn't realize you were from the Louisiana! How close do you live to the Big Easy? The hubby grew up on the west part of the state couple hours away but went to LSU and then lived in New Orleans for a bit to start off his career. His family felt blessed when Hurricane Katrina missed them but then Rita got them. How bout you?
The Hubby is hoarse today. How bout your household? Did you live it up yesterday? We were as wild as any migraine suffering household could be. Had a little party just the two of us. Some of the hubbys gumbo yum yum and no chemicals so good for the head. Then we resistant the urge for one of those beers advertised on the many commericals and spurge for one coke each. Tell you living loose and free.
The hubby ingrained with that even with a 30 point lead the Saints would lose attitude was on pins and needles even though I being the accomplished amatuer astrologer I am announced three weeks ago that the Saints would go to the Superbowl and win after noticing an eclipse on Drew Brees' January birthday which of course means an extraordinary year. And even without that knowledge how could those sportscasters during the pre game predict the Colts. Being a Pats fan we played both teams and the Colts barely beat us in the last seconds whereas the Saints totally whooped us the whole game was embarrassing. Anyway during halftime I reminded my uptight hubby that we needed to get out Mike our LSU stuffed tiger who always brings out the lucky MOJO for the Saturday college games (we didn't have any Saints charms other then our mardi gras beads). And wah la on side kick Yeah Baby!!!! Don't you love it?
Wish we were there experiencing all the love. Saw some video on line but that's it. What's it like where you are? Did you engage any special mojo tricks? We will try to see some of the parade on line tomorrow on NOLA. Hope this brings some long lasting happiness to the city and state.
As far as keeping up your education I think that's great as long as you don't over do physically for now. You have to keep you hopes high that migraines will not always have a grip on you at least not to the extent they do now. You mentioned that you were going to try a new doc in Texas in February is that still in the works? Maybe that will be the ticket for you. I'm hoping at this point that maybe menopause if nothing else could be the light at the end of the dark dark tunnel for me (48) but also have an idea of a new doctor to try too so have some hope something will shake out in the end.
Maggie,
Hope you are having a Super day today! I'm envisioning you at the parade or at least feeling well and enjoying it on the tube in comfort. We are excited in that we just found out we should be able to watch it on the tube up here on either the NFL network or the ESPN not sure which one yet but hoping it pans out. Think it starts 5pm est. They say there will be 10 Mardi Gras floats and a bunch of marching bands. I love a parade. I played the flute in a high school marching band and appreciate all the work the kids put in. In the past we were able to catch a few of the Mardi Gras parades on the tube but in recent years they haven't aired them up here.
Keep the good times rolling for tomorrow its going to be snowing.
Just found out the parade is at 6pm est on espnews one of those many espn stations I usually never watch. They expect the parade to run three to four hours I wonder if they will air it all? What a way to start off Mardi Gras. I've been thinking what I'll give up this year after Fat Tuesday - M I G R A I N E S ! ! !
Maggie if you are at the parade you had better be getting me some black and gold beads. 
Hello Headacut,
I am so upset!! I typed a response (dissertation) to you last night. I guess I forgot to press Post Comment! So I'll try to remember some of what I had written.
We live right outside of Baton Rouge - between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Katrina did miss us, but MANY of our family members living in or around New Orleans lost homes and possessions. Luckily, they were all safe. (We had a house full of loved ones, air mattresses, etc. during that time!) Rita missed us too, but Gustave gave us his punch last year!
Hopefully hubby has his voice back by now.... I'm not at parade... looking at it on tube now. I couldn't push my luck after all of my celebrating on Sunday. Girl I screamed, yelled, leaped around, violently clapped, and cried till my eyes were fire red. Luckily my Midrin carried me through! This is such excitement!! Your hubby was hoarse - my daughter still has on a leg brace because she got a little too excited and fell during Porter's interception/touchdown! You were brave to even look at the beer commercials :-) Like you, I sprang for Coke. Heck, I had two!!
I'm going to catch to parade for now.... I'll get back to you soon!
Those Saints are Marching In!!!!
Maggie,
I must have done that too where I've must have not pressed the response button or something after typing a long response to a friend on this site. As a matter of fact I need to write her and say hi. Its been a while because I've been out of sorts with migraines and flu and migraines and colds and migraines and life . . . . You know the drill. I hoping to tomorrow when its snowing migraine allowing. But anyway I think if you haven't read her posts you should. You should read her sharepost "Anyone else not able to work due to migraines?" by Susan 8/7/09. Susan is in the education field too so I think you will really connect.
So back to the parade do you believe they quit showing it thanks espn oh well at least we got 2 hours. Hey what was up with that rap song blaring when the mayor and governor were trying to give speeches? First of all I was irritated because I wanted to hear them and then I was offended because the words were saying something about my favorite coach Belichick.
hee hee!!! Actually I finally found another coach I like as much in Sean Payton. But seriously when I hear that loud music (a trigger for me) I feel glad I am home on the sofa watching even though my heart would love to be there.
Did you girl seriously hurt her leg during the game? How old is she? I would have loved to jump up and down but I already hurt my knee so had to sit still. The hubby was jumping around the room and the pets were dashing for cover wondering what the heck? The hubby whats to know what its like down there. He wishes he was down there right now.
Sorry about Gustav forgot about that one. Probably because Ike followed so closely afterwards and got some of our cousins on the TX/LA border so that was the focus in our family. Sounds like it shut down your area pretty good for quite a while. Do you get wicked migraines with the storms. Mine can't stand high winds and we are suppose to get some 50 mph winds and 15 inches of snow tomorrow. They call those lovely storms Northeasters up here. They said Gustav had some off the chart winds.
I'm on the search for a place with no weather since this is a major trigger for me.
You are too funny!! My daughter really hurt her leg, but she says it was worth it.
Tell hubby it is cold "to us" here. Outside temp 39*. We're expecting temps. in the 20's by Friday......and possibly LIGHT snow. We see snow so seldom that it's always a BIG deal for us. :-)
I will take a look at Susan's post. Thanks!!
I think we saw most of the parade. It lasted so long because of the long route. In reference to that song you mentioned, I'll check youtube and let you know, there may be a video or something. It's played in the dome after each touchdown. It's a Saints mix of a song "Get Crunk" by the Ying Yang Twins. (Info. from my daughter...)
I have three daughters: 20, 15, and 11. My 15 year old has the brace leg! Do you have kids?
Tell hubby that it's absolutly WILD down here. Wild in a great way. As he's well aware, this is a dream for all of us. The media is correct when they say that the Saints are much more than a football team here. They're tied into the culture. They're tied into the reconstruction after Katrina's devestation. I'm not lying when I said I cried like a baby!! My hubby didn't cry....... but he wore his emotions Sunday and all day Monday! After the game he shouted, "Pigs have flown and hell has frozen over!"
The sports stores can't keep the Saints paraphernalia stocked. As a matter of fact, some reopened Sunday night after the game.
One of the P.E. teachers at my school was once a highschool coach in Port Allen, LA. He actually coached Tracy Porter in high school. So of course he's bragging and holding his head high right about now! :-)
Back to the migraines.....Weather is a trigger for me. But dr. says I now have transformed migraines. A huge monster of a migraine hit me in May 09 and hasn't released me yet. I am defininetly better now, but this summer was absolutely dreadful. I have not experienced a realease of migraine symptoms since May. Some days are better than others, but never a release. So my triggers just trigger more pain and/or discomfort. Basically I've learned to live my life around it now. So... no sudden movements, no bending and rising, no crowded places, never outdoors without shades, no loud noises, no bright lights, and the list goes on...... I'll see Dr. Ninan Matthews in Houston later this month. Hopefully he'll help to find relief. I've tried a multitude of meds already. Some have made me worse, and some haven't helped, but nothing aborted the migraine. I was hospitalized in May to get DHE treatment, and I've gotten shots in dr.s offices. That didn't abort anything either. Luckily, I am able to function most days, and I'm grateful for that because I know how bad it could be. I'll keep you posted.
I think God spared me on Sunday because my behavior during and after the game should have landed me in the hospital!
Headacut, turn down your volume.....and see if this link leads you to the song you were referring to. If not, give me a little more info. and I'll find it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CYDFoEz8rg
Haven't heard from you Headacut..... Everything OK? Hope your absence isn't due to too much pain!!
Maggie
Maggie,
Who Dat!!??!! Are you watching the season opening game? Its halftime and its quite exciting. I couldn't help but think of you. I couldn't believe they said its been seven months since the superbowl. Where does the time go. Thanks by the way for the link for the song its cute. And the hubby loved your descriptions of the events down there. Can't remember what happen last spring but I remember it invovled a lot of commotion with our pets (3 on their last legs), lots of migraines of course and some other medical issues along with other life business. Always wondered how you were doing I remembered you in a bad spell did you have any luck in getting some control of the migraines so you could head back to work or school? Hope you find this message finds you well and having some fun.
Headacut