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Trials and Tribulations

The past couple of weeks have been really hard. I came down with a nasty flu that developed into pneumonia. My days were filled with doctor’s appointments, bed rest, and wondering if I’ll ever be able to take a full breath again without hacking up a lung. There were points where I was so exhausted, I couldn’t move…and the inevitable day where I felt so depressed, I ended up breaking down to my husband, wailing about my miserable health and whether or not I’d get fired for missing so much work.

I’m really lucky/blessed. I’m surrounded by family and friends that love me and support me. In fact, on my birthday, I received so many phone calls (yes – people still use phones!) wishing me well, so many emails and texts, and lovely sentiments on Facebook, that I was so filled with warmth and happiness…the first time in two weeks. I truly feel that the outpouring of love was the turning point in this whole pneumonia ordeal. The morning of my birthday, the first call I received was from my friend Alyssa who immediately started singing “Happy Birthday” the minute I picked up the phone. I started crying (I’m a wimp). We both laughed as I started apologizing frantically as Alyssa started screaming: “OH NOOOO! Don’t cry!!! Dom! I’m sorry!!”  In fact, I’m typing this and laughing my butt off again. Wow. I was such an emotional wimp.

Trials and Tribulations
“Pour yourself a drink, put on some lipstick and pull yourself together.” – Elizabeth Taylor
Trials and Tribulations
Trials and Tribulations

OUTFIT DETAILS

Sweater Dress – Romwe | Rayban Round Metal Flash Sunglasses – Merivale Optometric | Rocket Jeans – Citizens of Humanity | Nerina Boots – L’Intervalle | Hat – Nordstrom

On top of the pneumonia, my Dad had a bit of a scary health setback that shook me to the core. It made me really sit and think about how lucky we all were that he recovered quickly, and how much I would have missed my Dad if things really went south. He’s back up and feeling great, but wow. It really put things into perspective. It really pulled my family together too. It was lovely to see now that I look back at it.

Today, I’m feeling about 90%. I’m no longer coughing non-stop, and I’ve reduced my meds on my doctor’s approval. I’m looking forward to “returning to the living” and getting back to normal. With Christmas on the horizon too, I’m so thankful that Dad is ok, that Erika will be coming home for Christmas, that my sister-in-law and her husband will be joining us too and that everything is all good.

So, I’m going to take this time now to thank all of you for following my blog, for reading and enjoying my little stories and for leaving uplifting comments and birthday wishes across all of my social platforms. Tonight, while celebrating my birthday with my friends, I will raise a glass of San Pellegrino to you all.

Much love….

Dominique Baker
Dominique Baker

Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.

Find me on: Web | Instagram

4 Comments

  1. December 11, 2016 / 1:55 am

    Glad you’re feeling better and that things are better for your Dad. Happy belated birthday!

    Also, I don’t know what your secret is, but you have the most amazing skin! It’s so glowy and radiant. It’s absolutely beautiful!

    • Dominique
      Author
      December 11, 2016 / 10:04 pm

      Aww! Thank you kindly. I’m feeling way better and so is my Dad. So thankful!

      I’ll let you in on a little skin secret: it’s called “Soft Skin Effect” on my camera – haha! Take care!

  2. December 11, 2016 / 7:47 pm

    It’s so true that our health is so so important and we often take the simplest things for granted. So glad you’re on the mend – remember to take care and listen to your body! And my singing! hahahaha XO

    • Dominique
      Author
      December 11, 2016 / 10:04 pm

      I will always happily listen to your singing, Alyssa! LOL! Thanks for the kind words. This ordeal has been a real wake up call. xoxoxoxo

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