Advice for me and my 11 year daughter

You are not alone .. we are all fighting and we (including you) will continue to fight epilepsy. Take each day as it comes. Keep a detailed track of each seizure, time of day, duration, what she ate last, what was she doing last, anything however irrelevent it may seem ..... this record will help you a HUGE amount over a period of time. Read up, read up .... there is a lot of stuff on the NET as well as books , dont do anything without the approval of your doctor but become a part of her recovery as it will be a very crucial component. Also make ###### SURE ############# your anxiety is NOT transferred to your child. Its tough but positivity, hope , laughter and a lot of love and care HELPS tremendously. I am sure you will be fine. Just hang in there Karbhari

As someone probably the age a mother could be (36) who is epileptic and actually in the middle of my last resort which is going to be neurosurgery. I'll tell you what I've always told people. My dad has always told me it is a mother's job to worry. I live at home right now until surgery is over, I've had to move back home. Ever since I was diagnosed with epilepsy at 5, I'm sure my mom has worried about me, my dad tells me it's a mom's job, and yes, it is a dad's as well. At the same time, it's a parent's job to be there for their kids and let them reach for the stars, live life to the max, and having seizures as a part of life, and medications really shouldn't hold that back. While I did grow up having less, I did still grow up getting treated the same as my older brother. My room had to be clean, if I wanted to play sports I did, we both finished high school, probably breaking even in a lot of subjects, I went away to university & got a degree in sociology/criminology. At one time I did have my own place. Let your daughter reach for the stars and reach for her dreams, and be there to support her along the way, don't let seizures hold her back. At times, it has been my choice to jump back in life. Right now, it was my choice to give up my own place, move home awhile ago & go through surgery only because doctors have been through all possible meds & they tell me I'm the right age to consider surgery. FYI - when I was 12, I did outgrow things. It was a virus that brought seizures back when I was 16. So, just be there as mom, and treat her as a kid that wants to be normal. You are right, no child should have to go through it, just like my dad shouldn't have to witness cluster seizures that I go into at 36 but epilepsy is part of my identity and I can't control when seizures happen. It's in the back of my parents mind, as well as my boyfriend's mind that they may have to react to that situation & everyone in my life including mangers at work knows how to react when those situations come up, but it is never a number one focus, the main focus is how my day was at work, what's new in life, and what I'm doing with my pre-op counselor to make sure surgery is a success. Hope this helps a bit. GG

you are not alone, and neither is your daughter. i've had to take many different meds over the past nine years, and i'm still on keppra and limactal. Godiva is right, let her reach for the stars and be there for her. i don't always want my parents help, but i know that it's there if i ever need it. there's been a lot of seizures and cancer stuff in my family, i've probably logged in more time in the hospital than anyone ever should. but we always make it through. you will too. ?  best of wishes.