This past weekend, my husband had his 20 year HS reunion. I was quite nervous about this, since I had only been mostly headache free for about a week... and found that if I overdid things, that the headaches came back with a vengeance still.

I kept myself on regular doses of advil, and did far better than I expected... Friday night was a "small" class gathering of about 60 people. We stayed much later than I expected, but I did ok, mainly due to choosing the lower salt and lower sugar foods I believe. Saturday by mid afternoon, I was done, and needed sleep badly. After a 3 hour "nap", I felt much better! That night was the large reunion party (over 300 people, since the reunion covered every five year milestone from 1942 on!). It was held under a tent and was quite noisy, but I managed to find ways of coping....

The main problem was not headaches, but just a sense of being completely overwhelmed, and nearly in tears.... I took several walks to alleviate the feeling, using deep breathing and relaxation techniques. On the times i couldn't walk away, I found giving myself something physical to focus on really helped. During the dinner, my go to was digging my nails into the palm of my hand... not enough to damage the skin, but enough that my attention was drawn firmly to that instead of the cacaphony surrounding me. Another technique, when things got much louder, was to hum loudly. It was so noisy, no one else could hear my humming, only me, but it was the perfect help...

I don't know that I would recommend these techniques to others, the best technique is to avoid the situations that trigger you, I understand that... but sometimes, you feel a need to still live life, and for me, this was one of those occasions. I am quite tired this week, and today am experiencing some light headaches, but nothing like what I was expecting.... I suspect my ability to cope and the fact I have not had horrible headaches is more due to the fact that I am finally beginning to recover, but I did find that giving myself something to focus on was a big help during those times I couldn't just escape....

Hi Camyam!
So happy you are noticing some improvement! That's wonderful

What an undertaking to go to the reunion... that's quite the accomplishment!

I totally understand the overwhelmed feeling where you have to fight back the tears. For me, its not much of a fight, the tears just start dripping no matter how hard I fight!

Thanks for posting about your progress. Its good to hear when there are noticeable improvements!
Starr

Thanks Starr... today my head is feeling pretty crappy, but considering I not only had the weekend, but house guests from sunday till yesterday evening as well... I guess I just feel that it's not much of a price to pay! It was the best time I've had in ages, I even managed to buy some clothes that I looked great in (gaining 15 lbs hasn't exactly been fun!).... Even if I land up with symptoms for a week or more again... it was worth the price! Seeing DH so happy, was great, and meeting the guys he went to school with, and hearing each and every one of them tell me he was always the nicest guy in school (not a surprise!) was totally worth it! LOL

Its amazing you are doing as well as you are with all you've had going on! Wow!

My parents came to visit last weekend, arrived Sat at noon and left Monday by 9am (short visit!) and I've been suffering and feel very set back since and that's over a week now.

I spent most of last week sleeping and feeling awful. Slightly better this week, but still not as good as I was before their visit. Very very tired still.

I even slept for a couple hours on Sunday afternoon while they were here (which they thought was rude! and I was too tired and overwhelmed to explain. I just said "I'm going to bed before anyone gets hurt" and went upstairs. Maybe my husband explained more, I dont know?) but it just wasn't enough.

The constant conversation combined with all the meal preps and clean ups and not sticking to my normal low key routine just knocked me on my butt.

Had I known how bad I would feel after, I would've told them not to come. They are unpleasant at the best of times and this time, unbearable.

I am supposed to go out west later this summer to visit my husband's family for a week, but after this visit, I think I will cancel now, between the flying and the visiting and all that... not a good idea.

Starr

I was a bit worried about the reunion to be honest, but had enjoyed a good week, and was ready to deal with the fall out.... I was able to handle a lot more than I expected, and am glad it went as well as it did.... Today is a bit rough, but I cannot complain...

I wonder if others have found weird and wonderful ways to cope when they have no choice? Would love to hear from others.

No weird and wonderful ways to cope here. I just either get really agitated and angry or start crying when I'm overwhelmed. Either way, my brain shuts down and I can hardly string words together. Its rather embarrassing really.

I hope other people have suggestions, I'd be glad to give them a try!!

Starr

Camyam, so glad to hear that you made it through!! That is wonderful!

I don't have any weird and wonderful ways either, but sometimes, (only when i have the extra brain cells, lol) I try to picture a place in my head where I feel safe and it is quiet. I try to feel the wind, and the grass at my feet in my mind, and it sometimes helps, although it is hard to do when you are already overwhelmed and you can't exactly meditate.

So I guess a catch 22, rock and a hard place, etc. , which is what I am finding out that this whole PCS thing is like!

Thanks DW.... I did make it through, although the last couple of days have been pretty rough... but, I wanted at least the weekend to enjoy with DH and that is exactly what I got!