When I was 13, I visited my dad at Christmas. My older brother was already living there. It wasn't a terrible visit, but by the end of two weeks I was definitely ready to come home.
I get overstimulated and shut down.
My connecting flight was in Chicago. Chicago was snowed in. My choice was to stay in Oregon a few more days or reroute my flight. I chose to land at Dulles and have my aunts help me get to my connecting flight.
I remember doing what my Auntie Sue called "the OJ run" through the airport but still missed my connecting flight. I would have to try again in the morning.
I remember feeling nauseous and my head starting to hurt. Everyone wanted to talk to me; I just wanted to crawl into a dark hole.
The next morning I got on a puddle jumper and flew into Norfolk. My head was throbbing.
I missed a week of school because of tension headaches.
That was my first experience with those.
Now I get them regularly, and can usually stop them before they get too bad.
But nothing is touching this one I have. It's a dull pain.
Don't get me wrong, I'm so glad my older brother came for our younger brother's college graduation, but the stress has overwhelmed me. I wish my body didn't react this way.
