Hi. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. This is a first for me–living my life out loud and online–so please be gentle. I do appreciate constructive feedback, though. Until I am more comfortable in the blogging world, I will be posting everything using the pen name My Life as a Puddle.
So, what prompted this blog? I had been thinking about it for awhile but was further convinced I should step out on faith after 2 incidents occurred. 1) I applied to be in a prestigious memoir writing workshop. Over 60 applications/manuscripts were received; out of the list of students that had to be capped at 12, I was #13. So close, yet so far. Had any of those students canceled, I would have been in! My manuscript is titled Caught Between Jane Austen & Twitter: A Manuscript on the Lost Art of Letter Writing. Some of the comments from the review panel included: sincere, unique format, good mass market appeal, intriguing idea. A friend of mine said 13 is a good number to be, as it’s right on the precipice. She also said to keep my ears to the ground and be open to awareness. She thought my manuscript could be the beginning of something else, like teaching others how to chronicle the lives of those important to them via the art of micro-writing a thank you letter. My friend is very wise, and things are unfolding just like she said they would. (More about the writing blessings coming my way in a later post.)
2) I attended a Continuing Medical Education (CME) symposium on hyperhidrosis a few months ago where I was fortunate enough to receive free Botox treatment for my palmar hyperhidrosis (I also have plantar and axillary HH). While the Botox only worked for a short period of time, I walked out of that symposium feeling like a million bucks because I had conquered my fear and endured approximately 160 needle injections. In. My. Hands. So even if it didn’t work, I knew I had done something really big for myself and could be my own best advocate for my health. In addition to conquering my fear, the entire symposium was complete validation for me and the way my body works. For the first time in my life, I stood in a room and could do exactly what I was supposed to be doing, which was sweating. The International Hyperhidrosis Society GETS it, and they got me. The physicians and nurses who administered the Botox treatment said I had the best case of palmar hyperhidrosis they’d seen all day! For once, I could be proud of my sweat. Those people, in that room, on that day, changed my life. So how could I not walk out of there dreaming about blogging so that I could further begin to live my truth? (Again, more about this story later.)
So, that’s it for my first post. Please bookmark my page and come back soon. If you have any questions/blog topic ideas/general feedback, please comment or contact me. I have a Facebook page that I’d love for you to “like” (Hyperhidrosis—My Life as a Puddle), or you can email me at mylifeasapuddle@gmail.com.
Copyright © 2011 My Life as a Puddle
