// These past few days have NOT been great for me…//

I’m especially susceptible to migraines around the time of my period, and it’s been that time. Not to mention that it’s been storming on and off for the past few days. Those two things have compounded to give me not only a killer headache, but also horrible lower back pain.

I went to Knoebel’s in Elysburg, PA with my sister Sarah & her family on Saturday and had a great time. It was great to be outside and spend time with my sister, brother-in-law, and two of my nieces.

When I drove home that night, I wasn’t feeling that bad, but when I woke up on Sunday morning, I was in ridiculous pain. I slept for most of Sunday and a majority of today as well.

It doesn’t help that about 20 minutes after I took medication this afternoon I had to go pick up my mom from work. My dad had to go to the hospital because one of our parishioners was admitted to the ER for a hematoma in his arm & chest. He had knee replacement surgery not long ago and developed a clot as a result of the surgery. So he was in a rehab facility and had started PT for his knee. During PT he has a bar that he can use to pull himself up and must have pulled a muscle. Since he’s on blood thinners for the clot, the blood pooled and caused the hematoma.

Thankfully, it’s not too serious. The hematoma has already started to go down, and they were going to put a filter in his leg for the clot.

I know this is going to sound awful, but over the years I’ve gotten used to detaching myself from this kind of news and being able to compartmentalize everything. It’s just what happens when you’re a PK and you’re surrounded by parishioners who are sick and who die. I’ve had to learn to sing funerals while standing feet away from a casket containing someone who was essentially a part of my extended family.

It’s different this time though, because Mr. H is like my Grandpa. See, I don’t have any remaining living grandparents. My Pa passed when I was 5, Baba when I was 11, Grandpa Herbie when I was 15, and Grandma Herbie when I was 16, since then, certain members of our parish have become like grandparents to me, most notably Mr. & Mrs. Halecky. They’re the grandparents of one of my close friends, Justin, and have always treated me like a part of the family. He helped me when I did an independent study about the Religious Freedom Project run by the Archons of America because he’s an officer of the Archons.

Honestly, I was terrified today because we knew very little about the situation before my dad went to the hospital. Thankfully, he’s okay, and should be back to the rehab care facility in the next few days. I don’t know if you’re praying people, but if you would keep John Halecky and his family in your prayers or thoughts or just send out good vibes, I’d really appreciate it.

Besides that, I’m thoroughly enjoying being done with classes! I graduate on Thursday and can’t wait for that.

I’m hoping that I’ll be fully done with this migraine soon so that I can start ramping up my exercise again.

I found out this past Thursday that I was made Head Counselor at camp for this summer, so I’m really excited. I know that there will be stress attached to the position, but the two other members of the administrative staff are my close friends. Actually, the Program Director - Katherine - is my best friend from camp, and the Athletic Director - Will - is my ex-boyfriend whom I’m still very close friends with. I’m really excited because we work well together and already have some great ideas.

I’m heading out to camp around June 22nd and I cannot wait. I always feel a ton better when I’m there. I don’t know if it’s being outside and being able to be a bit more free, but I’m usually less prone to migraines when I’m there. Yeah, I still get the head pain and sometimes have to lie down for just a bit longer in the morning or skip out on the afternoon rotation because I just needed the rest.

Point is: an awesome summer is approaching.

aine