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I’m giving a “lecture/reading” of my book, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease: Keep Working Girlfriend, (co-authored with Joan Friedlander) this evening at a local bookstore, Newtonville Books in Newton, MA, my hometown.
With me is Laurie Edwards, a blogger (achronicdose) and author, Life Interrupted. She’s an amazing person who wrote very wonderful book. I feel lucky to share the stage with her.
And since I write about how to keep working with CI, I’ll share what’s going on for me today, as I get ready for this work event. I woke this morning with an intense sinus headache/chills? 8 years ago, I developed another AD, allergies – not just seasonal, they can come at random times but they’re always bad in September
The pressure in my head has been building all week. I’ve taken sinus medication and done all sorts of sinus draining techniques, went to the acupuncturist yesterday to clear this up, and I’m running out of ideas. I have shooting pains in my teeth when I speak! (Luckily, I had only a few client calls today!) And, as always with these symptoms, the MS symptoms kick up – today it’s burning and fatigue.
Luckily – this is a “friendly” audience – in fact, I have a hunch it will be mostly my friends and family since Laurie already packed a room a few months ago with her friends –and how many times can they show up? I could start with a joke about – “hey, welcome to my life” – but how funny is that?
Good thing I bought a new jacket for this. At the time, I thought I was being silly. It’s not like I’m speaking on Madison Ave in NYC (Do you remember when Carrie, in Sex in the City, had the book reading and what she wore? I DO!) Anyway, at least I’ll feel like I look good while I’m trying to get the words out without a grimace.
Second thought – skip the joke. I won’t bring it up — unless I have to sit rather than stand — or I’m in too much pain too talk. Otherwise, it would just be a distraction, don’t you think?
Rosalind aka cicoach.com
Diana says
Rosalind, my heart is with you as you give your book talk. Not that it will make you feel any better, but I’m also experiencing the sinus headache and chill plus what feels like hot flashes. Like you my symptons are worse in September and October, I guess it’s the change of seasons. Strangely those are also my favorite months of the year, maybe because I was born in October. I don’t know. Do the best you can and know that you will feel better soon.
Maureen Hayes says
Rosalind,
I too, have been battling with my sinuses, so I guess it must be the time of year. I am glad you will be with Laurie, who will be understanding, and I agree that it should be a forgiving audience, so try not to worry too much. You are such an inspiration for keeping on even when you feel like cr**! And after all isn’t that you coach about, how to adapt your work to help support you so that you can do what you want and/or need to? I pray that you will not hurt too much to speak, but your book and workbooks are such good tools I know people will want them whether you give a long or short talk/reading. I wish I lived closer and could come to this event, but I will be there in spirit to support you and Laurie and wish you all the best with it, and with feeling better soon. Be kind to yourself today and always.
Mauree
http://Beingchronicallyillisapill.blogspot.com
Maureen Hayes says
Rosalind,
I too, have been battling with my sinuses, so I guess it must be the time of year. I am glad you will be with Laurie, who will be understanding, and I agree that it should be a forgiving audience, so try not to worry too much. You are such an inspiration for keeping on even when you feel like cr**! And after all isn’t that you coach about, how to adapt your work to help support you so that you can do what you want and/or need to? I pray that you will not hurt too much to speak, but your book and workbooks are such good tools I know people will want them whether you give a long or short talk/reading. I wish I lived closer and could come to this event, but I will be there in spirit to support you and Laurie and wish you all the best with it, and with feeling better soon. Be kind to yourself today and always.
Maureen
http://Beingchronicallyillisapill.blogspot.com
Joan Friedlander says
Rosalind, no sinus issues here, just pesky new eye redness and irritation and frequent tears. Is everything an autoimmune disease once you get just one?
I hope you have as much fun at your signing as I did a couple of weeks ago. It’s the level of support and your connectedness with the people you know that will make it special. Though your friends and colleagues “know you,” when you stand in front of them to share your story (don’t hold back!) they’ll be completely moved in new ways, and so will you.
Sit, stand, lie down. Do whatever is needed and enjoy as you can.
Joan