Dear Friends and Family,

June is migraine awareness month, so I decided to tell you about some things concerning my migraines. First of all, migraines are more than just a headache. Most of the time, all I talk about is the head pain concerning a migraine, but there is way more to it. The neurological condition comes with a large array of symptoms including; seeing flashing lights, sensitivity to light and/or sound, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness or tingling, the inability to find words or concentrate, and sometimes loss of vision and temporary paralysis. This isn't all of the symptoms that can come along with a migraine, just some of them.

I have tried just about every medicinal and natural treatment out there, from going to the chiropractor, to getting a spinal tap, to Botox and just about every medicine under the sun to try and help. A few things have helped, but most didn't have any affect on them. The few things that helped only helped for a little while and then just stopped. So far Botox has helped the most helping me go from having a migraine every single day to about 18 or 19 a month. However, I absolutely hate getting the Botox shots because it seems like it hurts more every time. I'm not sure if I am the only one that feels this way, but it helps so I am just going to have to learn to push through that pain so I can have some time without any pain.

I don't cancel plans because I don't want to go. I do it because I don't want to ruin what everyone is doing. However, don't let that stop you from asking if I want to go. If I say yes, I will make every effort to go and the only reason I wouldn't is because I already have a migraine and I know that it would be easier for everyone if I just stayed home. Sometimes I will make the choice to still go and have fun even though I don't feel very well. Please don't try to make the decision of whether I go or not for me, in reality, I am the only person who knows if I can make it or not.

Even though sometimes I want everyone to leave me alone and just let me "die"; I do still need all of your support and love. I need a support system where I know that people believe that I am in pain instead of just brushing me off. No, I don't pretend to be in pain to get attention; if I wanted your attention that much I would do something different than pretend to be in so much pain that I become sick. I don't like going to the emergency room at least once a month, but sometimes it is the only thing that can come close to helping me feel at least a little bit better. I love each and every one of my friends and family and I just want you to know that even though I am in pain a lot, I still want to be part of all of your lives.

Thanks ya'll,

Kara