My daughter goes to college about 4.5 hours away from our home, and 18 months ago, in January of 2007 she had a seizure, out of the blue, while in her apartment alone. I hadn't been able to reach her via cell phone, which was unusual, and when she finally called me she said "Mom, I think I may have had a seizure, but I'm not sure". She was bleeding, confused, sore, and very scared.
Need to hop back in time 1 year almost to the day. In January 2006 she had been out driving and just arrived home. She ran upstairs, threw her purse on her bed, and went in to the bathroom. I was at work at the time away from home, but my husband and youngest son were both home, and they heard a strange noise from her coming from the bathroom - not quite a scream, not quite a cry. It was followed by a loud thump and they knew something was wrong. They couldnt get her to answer or open the door, so my husband forced the door open, to find her blue and on the floor convulsing and bleeding. She had hit her head really hard, and bit her lip. She was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, where I met them. The next few weeks were filled with testing and they could not duplicate any activity in her brain that indicated seizure activity, and it was ultimately ruled a 'fluke'. Apparently some people just have one in their life and then never have another and life goes on. Her life returned to normal, but she changed some lifestyle habits, like trying to get more sleep, staying away from caffeine and artificial sweetners.
Now this time, she was on the phone to me, and really not wanting it to have been a seizure, though we both knew it was. Her boyfriend rushed over and took her to the emergency room and I threw some things in a bag to go be with her. This time, they started her on anti-seizure meds, and took her drivers license away. They were reluctant to put a label on it just yet. In February, she had another one. This time outside, on campus, in the busiest intersection of campus, during the busiest time of day. She was injured physically this time worse, but even more so, was embarrassed and humiliated. Still, she held her head up, and pressed on, and the doctors increased her medication level. Then in March, she had another one, mercifully this time she was only with her boyfriend. The doctors changed her medication, and gave her the official label we'd all been dreading. Bailey had epilepsy. My first reaction was that I wanted her to come home and transfer to a school closer to us. This was a really tough cross for her to bear, but she is a strong girl, with a lot of determination, and she was determined to not let this get her. That was her last seizure.
I am not sure if it is this way nationwide, but in Minnesota, if you have an seizure where you lose consciousness, and hers are that type, you lose your license for a minimun of 6 months until the doctors and department of transportation board are confident that the medical condition is effectively controlled with medication. Of course this is for her safety, as well as anyone else on the road. Because of some paperwork mix-ups, she did not receive word from them till last December, 9 months after the last siezure, that she could drive again. She was SOOOO happy! She could just get in the car and run to the store, or to Target, or just drive. No arrangements had to be made. No one had to go with. She didnt have to talk to anyone, or hurry because they were waiting for her. It was a great measure to her of a renewed sense of independence. Life has been pretty good for her and she counts her blessings.
Last Saturday I was driving and leaving a message for someone on my cell. My phone beeped indicating I had another call coming in. I looked at the phone display to see a number I didn't recognize. The anxiety in my stomach started quickly, as my intuition kicked in, and even before I could finish calling that number back, I knew. She had had a seizure at work, and was in an ambulance, and they asked me to please come meet them. This time she wasnt injured quite as bad, and her short term memory is already coming back, but she cannot drive again.
Though my heart just breaks for her, I have so much admiration and respect for her. She is so positive, and compassionate, and nurturing to others. Sure, she has her tears, and moments of self pity, but her determination always wins out, and her faith in God hasn't been shaken.
Comments (3)
Wow, that must be so hard! I know a family in almost the exact same situation as you've been in but their has gone longer. Again, almost adult set epilepsy. She took lost her license and for her it has got so regular that she is unable to complete semesters and has fallen back in school. she is such an amzing young woman though. Everyone loves her and admires her. Yes, she has days of deep self pity and doubts but overall she thrives on, strong in God and so on.
Actually her situ was made worse by the fact the doctors felt they could take care of it all by having located the point of the seizure in a certain part of her brain and then doing some experimental surgery to have that part surgically removed. Trouble is, that although it stopped for a while and everyone thought she had been "healed" it came back and worse. They again did surgery but this time it came back right away. So, thousands of dollars later and, as you can imagine, a whole lot of heartache later, they are in the same boat, but now their daughter has a massive scar under her hair where they removed half her skull to do the procedures. Awful. So, I wouldn't recommend that in spite of anything you might hear about it I think your attitude to it is better--it a cross to bear. God is made strong in our weakness.
Oh but my heart really does go out to your dear sweet daughter, you and the rest of your family. Our prayers and I'm sure from plenty of other s who know you in person, go out to all of you.
@michaelmv -
Bless your heart, Michael. Yes, it could be so much worse, like that of the other young lady you know of. And although her short term memory gets bonky every time she has one, (tough when you are studying for an exam in, oh... say...Anatomy & Physiology..to have everything you've learned thus far suddenly just be GONE and have to start all over again) she managed to keep her grades up. She is such a hard working girl, and so determined. Yet at the same time one of the most mature, sweet, creative and nurturing people.. Right now her plans are to return to college this fall. We had already arranged for her to have an apartment on-campus, 'just in case', so she will have walking access to what she needs, and she also works part-time on-campus. The difficulties will be in the things we take for granted, like going to the grocery store, and going to her volunteer position at the hospital or to any fun activities.
Thanks for your prayers =) , and blessings to you as well!
Dear Robyn,
My roommate in college was diagnosed with epilepsy during her senior year. She had her first seizure on the way to an LSAT class. Many others soon followed. It was very rough on her for quite some time, until they finally got her medications correct. Now, 13 years later, she is healthy and doing well. She has decided to not have kids because of the changes and stress that would place on her body, but lives a relatively normal life. Our prayers are with Bailey.We wish her all the best!