Living with TN, Laughing in Dubai
Today started late — 6:30am, which, in my house, is basically lunchtime.
Nicky was already giving me her “um, breakfast??” eyes, so we got her fed and out to potty in record time.
And somehow, I still made it to my 7am meeting.
The topic? Resentments. Of course.
Because the universe LOVES to send me messages before I’ve had a full cup of coffee. ☕
After that, I took Nicky out again and waited for my medication delivery — the fun little morning scavenger hunt that is “Will the meds show up on time, or will I have to go feral?”
Then it was off to my Thursday 8:30am women’s meeting — Drop the Rock, my absolute favorite.
There’s just something about those women that makes my spine realign.
I FaceTimed with David during our adorable daily faux-coffee break (he also overslept — twin flames or just tired gen xers? Jury’s out).
Then the real travel began.
🗺️ I hit a meeting in South Africa — fun, warm, full of laughs.
After that, I hopped into a Dubai meeting.
Then an intellectual property webinar (because yes, I’m still a nerd).
And finally, I landed in Hawaii — where the room was lovely, but by then…
my head was not.
Living with Trigeminal Neuralgia means some days feel like your skull is actively on fire while you try to stay human.
Today was one of those days.
So I pivoted.
Instead of forcing myself to “be productive,” I leaned into what works:
💻 Meetings
📒 Medical journaling
💤 Naps
🧠 Gentleness
I’ve started keeping a full medical diary — one that’s mine.
Something the doctors can photocopy if they want, but I control the record.
Because frankly?
I don’t trust their notes.
No one’s written down “tastes like pennies” and that is a core symptom, okay?!
I even reached out to my parents for early childhood info to fill in the blanks.
Around mid-afternoon, I tried to get Nicky to nap in bed with me — but she had ants in her paws. So I brought her to the park.
Fifteen minutes and one wild tennis ball chase later, she collapsed at the water fountain like a tiny, dramatic wolf.
I soaked her down, cooled her off, and brought her home.
I had leftover poke from David (surprise delivery king of my heart), and we both curled up for a well-earned nap.
After her evening potty run, we tucked in for the night.
My pain started at a 7/10 today.
And instead of forcing myself to grind through it like I have been the last few months, I surrounded myself with connection, softness, laughter, and love.
Meetings kept me sane.
My notebook helped me feel in control.
My dog reminded me to rest.
And a bowl of sushi was the cherry on top.
Not every day has to be productive to be good.
And today?
Today turned out to be really, really good.
With Love,
Dana & Nicky
