By Jennifer Richardson
It started when she was in 5th grade. She told me that she was having what she thought was panic attacks. She described having episodes where she would have an out-of-body feeling and a sense that she was living one of her dreams. Not knowing anything about epilepsy, I told her that she was probably experiencing déjà vu.
After a long weekend of dance recitals, she woke with a bad headache. Because I am a behavior teacher and being out of school is challenging for everyone in the building, I called my mother to sit with my daughter while I went to work. I never ended up going to work.
My daughter continually asked me if she was dreaming or if she was awake. I did not know what was going on. I called the pediatrician and they told me to get her to the hospital immediately. I hung up the phone and went into my bedroom to tell my daughter and mother that we were headed into the hospital. My daughter reached up and grabbed my mother’s hands and told her how much she loved her…and then she seized.
This story continues for an entire year of testing and worrying. After eliminating a brain tumor and other terrifying possibilities, the diagnosis of epilepsy is almost a relief. Complex partial seizures. It took a while to reach a therapeutic dose of medicine and then the small seizures stopped.
The seizures stopped but the worrying never goes away.
You shared your family’s experience so clearly, this could help someone else recognize it if it happens to them. I love that smile in the picture. It is good that medicine helps, but I can understand that worrying will not go away.
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Your daughter has a beautiful smile, looks like a sweetheart. The unknown is really scary. Somehow, even when it’s bad news, we cope better with it when we can name it. And it is good not to walk it alone; sounds like your mother is a close support.
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I can’t imagine how scary this journey has been for you. She’s got a great mommy watching over her!
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Thank you for sharing this important story about your daughter. So thankful thinks are under control.
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What incredible story about your daughter. How scary.
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