Julie Powell, author of the best selling book Julie and Julia, shared her success story at the Missoula Businesswomens Network’s Fifth Women’s Symposium last Saturday, February 20, 2010. Julie candidly told the 400 women who attended the luncheon she did not develop nor follow a business plan to write her best selling novel which was then made into a movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. She pointed out how both chance and perfect timing played a major role in finding her voice as a writer. Julie contributed her success to listening to “the wisdom of her little voice.”  She said, “The crazier your ‘little voice’ is, the more you want to listen.”

Do you listen to your “little voice?”  Or do you ignore, over-rule and discount what your “little voice” tells you, based on whether you agree or not?

One of my blessings acquired from living with a brain injury was tuning in to hear my “little voice.” Previous to my brain injury, I depended on my brain to be my primary intelligence. The first four years after my brain injury, operating within a two-hour window of intelligent thinking each day before metamorphosing to my dazed and confused self, my “little voice” took over when my cognitive brain fizzled out. Even when my “little voice” prompted me to do something that sounded crazy, and based on my husband’s frequent reactions must have, I listened to my “little voice” and felt inspired do whatever I heard.

Why? Some of the same that Julie Powell said…chance and perfect timing. Once my brain battery fizzled out, logic and reason faded, fear and judgment dissipated.  Since my brain was not able to interfere,  I listened and heard my ”little voice.”  I learned to trust and rely on my “little voice.” Over the years, my “little voice” has guided and directed, corrected, comforted, protected and blessed me.

Guess what? My “little voice” turned out to be far wiser (insightful), creative and daring than my logical brain. Since my brain injury I’ve developed other synergistic intelligences, too. The “knowing of my heart,” my “gut feelings,” my ability to sense other’s emotions, an awareness that Angels are present to help me, all of which more than compensate for my cognitive deficits.

As I regained my cognitive abilities, I’ve allowed my logical intelligence to discount, ignore or over-rule my intuitive intelligences on occasion, regrettably. The perfect combination is when my “little voice” and logical brain team up to form a dynamic duo. Sometimes it feels like a duel. It’s been twenty years since my “little voice” prompted me through the course of my day when my cognitive brain fizzled out. My “little voice” still prompts me through my day, extending my cognitive abilities and presents me with creative and bold ideas – my husband still groans.

Whenever I find myself shifting back to old patterns I have to remind myself:
Your brain was not designed to handle the busyness that exists in today’s world. Your brain is responsible for operating every function in your body. It seems unfair to rely on your brain do the majority of your thinking and make critical decisions, too. The answers and guidance you want and need reside deep within you. All you have to do is ask and then … “listen to the wisdom of your little voice.”

Joni Rodgers, best selling author of “bald in the land of big hair,” shared how her cancer experience led her to write two novels and how she became a best selling author, even before she wrote her memoir.  Joni told her cancer story with humor and truthfulness. When Joni was diagnosed in 1994, doctors predicted that Joni would live 5 years. That was 16 years ago. Joni’s advice is to regard the things that happen to you (cancer) as events in your life, transformational events that transform you. Remember to keep living your life. 

Humor is a coping strategy that is also prevalent among brain injury survivors to help us accept our loss and deal with frustrations. Humor provides a wall of protection that cushions and comforts us when life seems unfair or makes no sense.  

During sensitive times of illness, it’s easy to get confused about when or how to use humor. If  you want to learn more about using humor in sensitive times, here’s an article I wrote:
Seven Guidelines to Use Humor in Sensitive Situations.

Here’s what I learned:  Sometimes when we are in a tough place, we don’t  really know how tough of a place it is until after we’ve moved past it. 

Unforeseen health complications, ripple effects of my brain injury, were forcing me once again to make major life-style adjustments.  It was all too familiar, like history was “starting” to repeat itself.

I pouted. I cried. Then I laughed, because I was reminded, at least I’m following the coping advice I give to my audiences when I present my motivational talks. I’d thrown myself some sort of a pity party, followed by a temper tantrum. Now I’m  supposed to do something kind for myself. Twenty years ago Shania Twain lifted me out of a deep sadness when I was first adjusting to the life-altering TBI that has since shadowed my life. Shania fired me up back then.  Maybe that’s what I need now. So I cranked up my favorite Shania Twain CD and was just starting to belt out a few songs with her when the phone rang.

Worried about my frame of mind, my husband Larry called from work to check on me, “What’s all the noise?”

I told him, ”Shania.”  

He asked, “You, O.K.?”

I said, “I’m just so darn mad!”

I heard  breathing. He waited for me to tell him whether or not it was a good thing that I was mad. I reassured him, “This is good. It means I’m not ready to give-up.”

He sighed, “That’s my girl.”

For the past four years, medical doctors had treated me (and multiple other women my age) for a thyroid condition (mine is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) complicated by menopause. Both of these medical conditions exhibited symptoms similar to my brain injury, two of which were low physical energy and mental confusion. My “brain battery” normally operates on a short run time. These two medical conditions caused an additional drain on my brain battery.

At this same time my seasonal allergies became chronic and year long. Two separate specialists made recommendations which significantly worsened my health.  Optical migraines developed. By the end of 2009,  advanced symptoms indicated my immune system was drastically weakening and something in my brain was malfunctioning.

I’ve been in this tough spot before. Caught between knowing which medical professionals I should seek for treatment,  medical doctors or alternative healers.  Plus my previous brain trauma complicated my treatment. Don’t forget that alternative care is usually out of pocket and my pockets have long been empty paying the balance left from insurance on the MRI’s, labs, specialists and ER visits of the past four years.

This was the point where I got mad.  I knew what I needed.  I needed both – medical doctors and healers. Currently my team of medical professionals consists of five medical doctors (1 general / 4 specialists) and 3 alternative care providers.  Try fitting all of that on just one line of a medical form at the doctor’s office.

Looking back, now I realize … I was much sicker, for much longer than I knew. Unfortunately it wasn’t until my health conditions had progressed and my symptoms had advanced that my medical “team” could accurately diagnose my conditions because so many health conditions have similar symptoms. 

The good news!!  My thinking seems clearer than I can remember since my TBI.  (Can’t wait to tell you why in later posts.)  I’ve lost 14 pounds of inflammation in just one month!! Far more profound of a body loss than body fat. Why? Because my immune system is getting healthier and stronger.  I don’t know how I know this, but I do. I can feel it.

MY BLESSINGS IN DISQUISE…

A big concern for me regarding the medication that my neurologist prescribed was that it can be cognitive slowing.  After taking this new medication for one month, here’s what I’ve noticed – whatever was going on inside of my head previous to taking my new medication was far more cognitive slowing.  I am now thinking with a far clearer mind!

In regards to my immune system, at first I felt resentful that two medical specialists, whom I trusted  had recommended medical treatments which seriously weakened my immune system. Fortunately my immune systme was not destroyed.  It was a wake-up call for me to take drastic measures to eliminate my allergies and strengthen my immune system to protect my body from acquiring other auto-immune disorders.

How many people do not get accurately diagnosed nor receive the best treatment options because so many medical conditions exhibit similar symptoms?  Medical doctors often rely on prescription drugs to treat and relieve symptoms. The approach of a healer is to use natural products and to identify and remove the source causing the illness so the body can heal itself.  I’ve experienced extremes of both practices. In my twenty years of doctoring since my brain injury, I have found that I need both medical doctors and healers to maintain my health. I need both prescription drugs and natural healing practices.

When your health balance is disrupted, you might find that restoring that balance is not easy nor quick. It might take a team of doctors, medical and alternative care. And it might take a few years ….

I say it at the end of every motivational talk I present and I’m so happy to say it again today …

Never give-up or lose hope  … because when you least expect, wonderful things still happen!

(P.S. This is not a health blog. 
However, this blog will contain a HEALTH category where I will share more specific information about my health experiences for those who are interested in learning about similar health related challenges and treatment options that I found helpful.)