Take Care
On a residency in Montana in 2019 I began to develop worsened symptoms of what would eventually be diagnosed as temporal lobe epilepsy. These symptoms, caused by partial seizures, included nauseating déjà vu, disorientation, depression, short term memory loss, and migraines, and were aggravated by high altitude. They began manifesting on a trip to Italy in May of 2019 when I went to the top of Mount Vesuvius, and later became even more intense in the mountainous landscape of Montana. In this time I began listing all the things I could do to practice self care while these mystery symptoms were at their worst. These acts included: taking hot baths, using a heated eye mask, taking helpful medications, talking to friends and family on the phone, meditating, looking out the window, watching tv, and picking flowers. Although these things were and are helpful to varying degrees, there was and is no quick fix for my disability, and it is important to recognize that the practice of self care is just that, a practice. Finding a balance between taking care of myself, having others take care of me, while learning to adapt to a new physical and mental reality has not been easy, but I appreciate and find value in the ongoing practice and the journey. This series is a representation of one part of that journey, and a personal reminder to honor every step in the healing process.