Jen Wilson - Chronic Migraine Treatment Support

This is my friend, Jen. She is a massage therapist, performing artist and theatre and dance instructor for children.

She has also been a chronic migraine sufferer for most of her life.

Jen lives in the remote and healing community of Cortes Island with her feline caregiver HoneyBee. She meditates regularly and engages in many self-healing practices. But this past year, her chronic migraines have been so severe and debilitating, that she has been out of work more than she has been able to work. All her jobs (and volunteer work) require her to try to muscle through her chronic pain to survive. And as anyone who has experienced chronic pain knows, it is exhausting. A lot of other people get to the point where they just want to give up. Jen is not "other people". She is a fighter. She hides her pain well. After all, she's had years of practice. Most people tell her, "But you don't LOOK like you're in pain". But she is. And hiding pain is even more exhausting than living with it.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Jen has been in a constant migraine loop for the past EIGHT MONTHS, which is beyond the definition of "chronic". She has been suffering from this invisible disability and such deep chronic pain for as long as I have known her. She is a warrior woman who pushes through her pain so she can bring joy to others.

CHRONIC MIGRAINES

Anyone who has suffered from actual migraines knows how excruciating they can be, but those who haven't, can't even imagine. I was a migraine sufferer for years, so I know.

Migraines (see link) are not just "bad headaches" but a debilitating neurological disease that includes severe light sensitivity, nausea, vomiting, vision and strength loss and excruciating head pain which makes it impossible to function. All you can normally do is lie in darkness, praying for the pain to subside. Even reading or viewing screens or watching tv can be unbearable.

Conventional migraine medication only works if you take it BEFORE the onset of an attack. That means learning your triggers and signals. Jen used to have classic migraines w aura which indicated the onset, but now she doesn’t get the visual warning signs. Now, in addition to other symptoms, she also gets vision loss when the pain happens and loses part of the strength of her left side and experiences speech slurring or aphasia.

THE TREATMENT

Jen has been told by neurologists for the past 20 years that the Botox protocol for migraines (see link) should be an effective treatment for her as a chronic migraine sufferer, but it was very cost prohibitive, as it is NOT covered in BC by Provincial Health for disabling migraine conditions. It is a 20-30 injection treatment that is from the forehead over the skull down the neck and on the shoulders - it is NOT a cosmetic procedure. It used to be only available in BC through plastic surgeons and similar specialists so it was overly expensive, but the times are changing and many regular doctors are now able to offer this protocol for migraine relief in BC so it's less cost-prohibitive and finally within reach for her. She has found a place in Parksville, BC which can offer her this treatment. This treatment is her last and biggest hope to regain some semblance of a normal life.

OUR GOAL

The total we are hoping to raise will cover 2 rounds of this treatment and transportation to get to those treatments, potentially giving her between 6 months to a year of pain-free living. This will enable her to get back on her feet financially, teaching kids and helping to heal others.

SOMETIMES, IT TAKES MORE THAN A VILLAGE

Any little bit helps, as we all know! Please help us free this warrior woman from the world of pain she has been forced to live in and give her the ability to regain a rich and rewarding life.

For local Cortes Folks who may want to help differently, feel free to contact Jen directly at 8506

Thank you for your support,

Kyrst