I have been an epileptic since I was 13-yrs-old. I have both grand mal and petite mal seizures. My seizures are not controlled yet at 37-yrs-old. I have done well considering circumstances. I chose to continue my education, obtaining my bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems, and chose to continue my education by persuing my MBA in Business Consulting. Unfortunately, as my seizures got worse and I lost my ability to drive, I had less than three years of work experience before becoming a full-time stay-at-home mom to a 16-yr-old. Ya Right! Anyway, I have tried volunteering, but nobody wants to accept the responsability of a disabled person at risk, and no ability to drive doesn't help either! Even the local Epilepsy Foundation has offered to help. I stare at a car thatI paid off and now just sits in my driveway while I'm stuck at home everyday alone. I have been in and out of hospitals and am a current candidate for brain surgery (lobectomy). I assure myself that 6 years of commitment to my education and thousands of dollars in loans were not in vain. My children and I went without both financially and personally because I had a dream to make myself, my world and my children better. I know someone out there feels the same. I know I have a gift with people, and I want to share it. If I have learned anything from this, it's that money really doesn't buy your happiness, but friends and loved ones do.
shawnmarien3's Blog
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Hello shawnmarien3's! I just read your blog and have SO much to say to you! I'm 32 years old and had my first grandmal seizure Feb 20th, 2010 due to viral encephalitis. It was pretty serious. Without a spinal tap, I would have never been diagnosed and I would have died. I'm married and have 4 children -11, 10, 7, and 3 - and this has been quite the life style change for us. I would very much LOVE to share more with you, and hear more from you. I'm pretty busy most of the time and don't have too much time online. But if you wanna shoot me your email address I will most certainly make time to chat with you that way! I very much look forward to it!
As you probably know, your not alone with uncontrolled seizures. At this time I am still taking medicaiton and have had the VNS, or Vagal Nerve Stimulator implanted. It was turned off once due to malfunction and doctor will be making a second attempt in another week. I am also a canidate for brain surgery. My seizures are triggered in 3 areas of the brain. Seizures began at the age of 4 1/2 and developed into grand mal and physco motor/ peti mal. Through correct medication and great doctors I have not had a grandmal in well over 25 years.
I do not miss driving after one minor accident that could have killed my children and I or any other car that could have been involved, as it was due to a minor seizure. Fortunetely the police department helped me with my children and getting to the hospital. I would much rather travel by bus than worry about another persons. Living with epilepsy can be as hard as you want it to be. It is only one of my disabilities. The more I worry about the worse it can become. If someone looks at me weirdly I just say to myself "so what" and keep walking on. Do they really care? NO. I said the same to my son, who is also an epileptic.
To anyone reading these, just because you have a seizure, that does not mean you are an epiletic. Only tests and your doctor can determine that. You can have several seizures and it sill may not mean epilepsy, so see a qualified doctor, (preferably a neurologist). The EFA, Epilepsy Foundation fo America is a good place for information and in many areas there are meetings for the public to learn more.
Have a great day!
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