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Leaving for college

Wed, 04/14/2010 - 02:03

I am feeling very overwhelmed right now. My daughter has generalized seizures, both absence and tonic clonic. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital last night for what we thought was a seizure storm- but she still insists on going to college out of town, about 3 hours a way. I literally wake up at night in a panic that she is alone in her room. with no one to help her.

To keep her in town for community college would never work, she is already taking college courses in high school. I know I can't do anything to dash her dreams, but I want to protect her.  Someone told me its better she go and even if she got hurt, it would be her choice and her dream.

Her neuro says we have time on our side, but I don't see it that way! She leaves in September! 

She just started depakote today along w/ her lamictal. 

Please...if you know what I am going thru I would appreciate some advice

 

 

Comments

Re: Leaving for college

Submitted by tonialpha on Wed, 2010-04-14 - 14:24

I understand the fear you are going thru!

My parents started w/ me being a counselor at camp, before going to college.  My mom felt it would help me working on my confidence while I was away.  I lived in California and the camp was in Colorado.  I had responsiblity of junior high campers.  It made me learn responsibilty and I had one seizure when I was at the camp.  The reason was the stomach flu.  I had the seizure was at the Denver, CO airport.  The people at the airport took care of the situation and contacted my parents.

I went home that afternoon and was w/ my family that evening.

When going to college, I had the confidence to do anything.  I learned that I had to eat 3 meals a day, take my meds.  I went thru school w/ some seizures, the medical staff was aware of my seizures because they had my medical history.  I wore a medic-alert bracelet.  The card they give you lists the medication doses and my allergies.

My mom felt better that I had the medic-alert bracelet. THe Neurologist told me and my mother to get enough sleep. I soon found out that I could not be like everybody.  It actually kept me on tract.  I made friends that were aware that I  had seizures.

My mom checked on me the first year, with letters.  At this time, my friends text their youth.  The cell-phone had emergency #'s, which included their parents.  I always called on the weekends.

My mom said she acquired more grey hair. 

I understand the fear you are going thru!

My parents started w/ me being a counselor at camp, before going to college.  My mom felt it would help me working on my confidence while I was away.  I lived in California and the camp was in Colorado.  I had responsiblity of junior high campers.  It made me learn responsibilty and I had one seizure when I was at the camp.  The reason was the stomach flu.  I had the seizure was at the Denver, CO airport.  The people at the airport took care of the situation and contacted my parents.

I went home that afternoon and was w/ my family that evening.

When going to college, I had the confidence to do anything.  I learned that I had to eat 3 meals a day, take my meds.  I went thru school w/ some seizures, the medical staff was aware of my seizures because they had my medical history.  I wore a medic-alert bracelet.  The card they give you lists the medication doses and my allergies.

My mom felt better that I had the medic-alert bracelet. THe Neurologist told me and my mother to get enough sleep. I soon found out that I could not be like everybody.  It actually kept me on tract.  I made friends that were aware that I  had seizures.

My mom checked on me the first year, with letters.  At this time, my friends text their youth.  The cell-phone had emergency #'s, which included their parents.  I always called on the weekends.

My mom said she acquired more grey hair. 

Re: Leaving for college

Submitted by momofa2014wildcat on Wed, 2010-04-14 - 15:36

Thank you so much for replying! My daughters neuro emphasized how important sleep is and I think it got thru this time. I know I have to do it and her future university has told me that have plans in place for people w/ Epi so I think once I get thru the first few months it'll be okay.

 

Thank you so much for replying! My daughters neuro emphasized how important sleep is and I think it got thru this time. I know I have to do it and her future university has told me that have plans in place for people w/ Epi so I think once I get thru the first few months it'll be okay.

 

Re: Leaving for college

Submitted by vlpollock on Wed, 2010-04-14 - 20:46

My son leaves for college in September.  He is going 600+ miles away.   He has secondarily generalized seizures and just had one today due to missed doses of Topomax.  I am tremendously worried because he seems to have a cavalier attitude about taking his meds and doesn't understand how significant a seizure is.  

I have accepted that he needs to go away to school to gain his independence.  

Today, I bought him a pill-minder.    It has slots for morning and night.   I know I can't always be there to protect him, but as a mom I will always worry about him.

I wish you the best of luck.   It's so hard when you see your child suffering and you are powerless to help them.

My son leaves for college in September.  He is going 600+ miles away.   He has secondarily generalized seizures and just had one today due to missed doses of Topomax.  I am tremendously worried because he seems to have a cavalier attitude about taking his meds and doesn't understand how significant a seizure is.  

I have accepted that he needs to go away to school to gain his independence.  

Today, I bought him a pill-minder.    It has slots for morning and night.   I know I can't always be there to protect him, but as a mom I will always worry about him.

I wish you the best of luck.   It's so hard when you see your child suffering and you are powerless to help them.

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