The big L

Forever determined to show up—for others, for myself, for my life. Even when chronic illness changes the way that happens, the intention stays the same: to be present, to care, and to keep choosing connection.

Get UP.

Get DRESSED.

Show UP.

And NEVER GIVE UP!

Marc came to me this weekend, took my hand, looked me kindly in the eye, and said I needed to end my business; after 3 years, it hasn’t been financially beneficial. This came out of left field. And I just sat there … listening to him, tears leaking out of my eyes. Of course he’s right, I know it – I truly suck as a businesswoman. This isn’t a secret. I know it, he knows it. But that was never my primary WHY. My business makes me feel so much purpose: to serve women, to be involved in something bigger than how small my world has become. I’ve been working so hard, every single day – often from my bed – to create building blocks. I’ve pushed myself beyond limits I thought I had. I’ve dreamed. I’ve troubleshooted. I’ve been creative. I’ve been super frustrated. But I’ve had such joy. I’ve spoken to myself kindly, and I’ve never given up – “one foot in front of the other” every single day. And through it all, I’ve had only one, ONE person, who believed in me; only ONE single PERSON in the whole world who took this journey WITH me, cheered me on, helped me. He’s actually the reason I started this business in the first place; he wanted me to do this! Not any of my friends, not any of my family, never a mentor, no one, NO ONE, but him.

And now… he’s dipping out.

What am I feeling? Depression, stupidity, failure, foolishness, embarrassment, smallness, silliness, so much grief and sadness, even a bit of betrayal? I feel like here we go again, another fail in a long list of life failures. I don’t know. We’ll have to have more and more and more talks. What if I tell him, No, I want to keep going – my WHY means too much for me? … even without his support?

I just do not know. And it’s honestly boring to exist in such a STUPID state of self-absorbtion and self-pity. BORING and embarrassing! I do not like being here. Shame and isolation… there you ARE, I see you, old friends! Welcome home and back into my soul, my shadow, and my brain. It’s been a minute. We’ll get to know each other again.🫂

Am I seeking pity? Encouragement? An atta-boy? Nah, I think I just want to crawl into a hole and wallow all by myself. Alone is my safe place to be. I never take myself very seriously, I’m a goofball, a little zany, a spaz …. but I AM always authentically ME.

I had a WHY that was so crystal clear and personal and so important to me, gave me intention and made me very proud. These things happen. Sometimes, you can’t spin it – you just have to own it. And I’ll let it stand here in my heart, perfectly imperfect. As the kids say, the Diva Donna cabi … is just lame and another fail.

It’s about JOY!
I just feel so … so … stupid.

My last Neuro appt; a realization!

At my last botox appointment, my Neuro asked me about my chronic migraine status. Sometimes keeping track of Chronic Migraine can be so completely depressing, so I admit I’ve slacked off on my tracker phone apps. But I thought a bit about my recent experiences before answering the question… I realized that while I have migraine symptoms every single day (🙄 of course… photophobia, lethargy, pain, phonophobia, brain fog, and so much more), I really only have about 2 migraine episodes a week that last approximately ~24 hours with treatment. This is an exceptional improvement, for sure. And I truly am grateful 🙌🏼


This solid progress is is a result of my Chronic Migraine regimen right now: •Botox every 12 weeks, •Nurtec (as a preventive) every other morning, •Nadolol 10mg and Tizanidine 4mg every night. For abortive treatment, I still have a plethora to cycle: Reyvow, Maxalt, Ubrelvy, Butalbitol, Sumatriptan injection, Phenergen, Indomethacin.

However, some very SAD news in my migraine world: Reyvow is being pulled because it isn’t making enough money for the company. I’m so unhappy: I really, really like Reyvow for those particularly bad or nighttime migraines… so I’m trying to fill my script as much as possible before the medication sunsets forever.

Discontinuation of Reyvow® (lasmiditan) for Acute Migraine Treatment: What To Do Next – Association of Migraine Disorders https://share.google/RrDGctNMDlPP7hmX0


While I was thrilled to acknowledge this solid Migraine win, my buddies Rheumatoid Arthritis and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction still are a huge part of my Chronic Illness daily life. And they never let me forget it!


Love you all… Warriors: keep up the fight!💪🏼💜

My grandbaby time; I LIVE for it! Daisy is almost 3 months, Theo is almost 2.5 yrs. 🩵🩷 GiGi life is the absolute BEST!💖

Still overwhelmed trying to work my biz… but it’s amazing for feeding my soul to serve women, flexibility and honoring friendships.

https://cabi.cabionline.com/TheDivaDonna

Cefaly FTW! – use at least 1-3x a month.
Me at cabi Spring 26 Fashion Week in between sessions… This is how – spend most of my life😂 REST is ESSENTIAL; it isn’t the same as lazy.
MY sweetest and most reliable supporter, Mr Kobo. He is everything ❤️
I haven’t been able to exercise in ages, but I’m actually BIKING now! Our kids got us ebikes for Christmas and we LOVE it!!!🚲

Of course as I type this, I’m quite sick with a head cold. 🫩 It’s not the flu, it’s not very serious, but having “just a cold” while battling Chronic Illness and a compromised immune system is the ultimate injustice! I’ve been incapacitated the last 5 days and hope tomorrow is a better day!😊

Shingles. Again. Stop. Listen.

My third outbreak. And post 2 shingles vaccines. Shingles and I are in a situationship. It is a fact.

Pushing to start myself this morning … it’s already almost noon. But I have things to do, people I’ve promised … things I need to do for myself and others. I can not stop. I will not stop.
But the shingles are here … the blisters on my left posterior iliac have faded, but the postherpetic neuralgia is flaring like a white hot fire.

I’m in extraordinary pain. As well as “regular” pain – in my brain and in my joints, and my back and sciatica.


My Lord, my Lord … I hear you. The shingles have always been a message from you … guiding me, talking to me – yelling at me. You have always been with me, holding me on my feet.

As I listen to you, the tears well up in my eyes … I am listening, and I know I am doing too much … but I feel like an extraordinary failure. I have failed. I continue to fail. My body does not work like other bodies my age. It doesn’t work like it used to work just a few years ago. Around me … I’m constantly surrounded and reminded of all the small things that are huge things that I MUST do. I need to DO. And I don’t do them. Drowning. Trying to prioritize.


Dear God,
Quiet my heart so I can hear You.
In the noise and rush of my thoughts,
help me pause and listen for Your gentle voice.

Teach me to recognize Your whisper in the stillness and through the people You send my way.
When I am uncertain, guide me with peace that settles deep within.

Give me ears that are open,
a heart that is humble,
and a spirit ready to follow wherever You lead.
Speak, Lord—I am listening.

Amen.