I don’t normally like posting personal things, but this is something pretty big that has been impacting my daily life, business and everything in between. If you have been following my story on social media over the last year or so, you know what I am talking about. If not, here is the quick run down:

Last December, I was at my part time job when I suddenly got a glare on the screen which then triggered an iridescent zig zag, peripheral vision loss which turned to shadows and tingling/ numbness down my arm. I thought I was having a stroke. Months of testing, MRI’s, labs, various eye exams and a meeting with a neurologist diagnosed me with ocular migraines.

Then in April of this year, I came down with an intense vertigo attack that never stopped 4 weeks after a flu. Constant 24/7 spinning and dizziness. Couldn’t drive, walk, work or anything. This has been going on for 6+ months now, and again- more doctors and specialists because Iv’e just been wasting away in bed. Finally got diagnosed with vestibular migraines and PPPD (Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness).

As I navigate these new diagnosis, I now have answers to many issues iv’e battled my entire life that I was told was just anxiety. Explanations to things that were written off all these years. At the end of the day, my brain forgot how to talk to my vestibular system and now I need to re-train it. Per my doctors, it’s going to be many months (possibly years) of medications, vestibular rehab therapy, diet and training to get my body working again.

What does this all mean for my business and work? I honestly don’t know. Everything is in the air and in limbo. I am able to slowly work now, but I am going much slower. I don’t think i’d ever be able to work a full time, in office job again because of these conditions sad to say. The migraines and episodes are too unpredictable. I purposely haven’t booked shows cause I wasn’t sure how I would do. My doctors are confident I will get my life back, but say it will be a very long road. I did one show last weekend, but if anything, I might only stick to smaller 1-table shows indoors cause I just haven’t been too well these days.

Anyways! I just wanted to put an update here since I often get people asking where I have been. I am still doing customs, just working slowly. Some days are good, some aren’t. I never know.  I’ll share some photos from the show I was at cause I am really liking this set up! Credit to my friend over at Fringe + Stone who took the photo of me in my booth. Also a huge shout out and thanks to my Mom for vending with me!