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I'm new at this and kinda nervous
Wed, 02/14/2007 - 23:53Topic: New to Epilepsy.com
I am 42yr.old and have had epilepsy since the age of 16yrs. that we know of. I have tooken every medication out there seen countless Doctors. even had the Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted last year. But I guess at this point I have finally accepted the fact I will not be cured and now just feel like I am moreless roting away in my own home and no one even notice's even when I try to explain it to them. I live in the country where its just trees and dirt roads, can not drive and haven't in many many years I get to go to a larger town to get grocery's one day out of a week. I some times just want to throw the towl in. So I found this site in hopes maybe someone out there just might know what I am talking about for themselves.
living for the second, memaw1
Comments
Re: Re: I'm new at this and kinda nervous
Submitted by memaw1 on Fri, 2007-02-16 - 00:20
hello again, thank you Tish for you heart felt comments but for one yes I am a grandma of one precious granddaughter of the age 16mo. but I very seldom get to see her maybe every two to three weeks and she may stay one night in a four month period with me and my husband they are worried she might see a seizure or I might have one with her. Anyway no I don't have any type of store near where I live at all and I can't drive haven't in many years, due to the sz. I don't paint just yet but I always have done drawings, and photograpy its my love and passion but my camera got stolen from the airport handlers so now thats gone too. Any my seizures aren't really lessoned by the inplant they are just changed from having them in the day to mostly at night, but now I am also having slight heart proublems we think I have had two strange occurances happen in the last week but haven't got to see the dr. just yet. well I raddled on enough I guess I get carried away I actually have someone to talk too. Thank you
Re: Re: Re: I'm new at this and kinda nervous
Submitted by happycat2 on Fri, 2007-02-16 - 02:46
Hi memaw1 and welcome.
I'm really sorry you feel as you do. I'm really sorry you don't get to see your grandchild more often. What can I say, this happens ... It does, and families just do not, as in NOT realize they could be part of the solution not the problem. Have you tried sitting down with them and talking to them?
Some people don't. They don't try asking if they understand just how hard it can be trying to live a normal life and deal with seizures, and all that brings. The lack of control if the med does not work, the loss of freedom as in not being able to drive. The lack of understanding about that, and the sarcastic comments...' Well, its no big deal... Johnny takes the bus' ... That's why I think places like this are a great idea. Its not just about the meds not working and control being hard to find when they don't. Its about offering support, a helping hand, and sharing those honest experiences of the daily grind dealing with this. I wish I could offer a solution to your problem of isolation. I can't. Other than being honest with your family, and asking them to spend a little time doing some research-maybe the links on this site. Maybe they might appreciate that, and you updating them, and giving them a reality check about it... Update them just how much epilepsy can and does impact on your life. Update them on how much your passion means to you, you miss it, and is there anything they can do to give you a helping hand to replace what has gone?
Hang in there.
Cat.
"Many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1
Re: I'm new at this and kinda nervous
Submitted by Tish on Thu, 2007-02-15 - 12:39
Why are you so down? Memaw? If I'm correct then you are a grandma. Look at what you have. Not what you don't have. Are your seizures lessened by your implant? That's a plus! You live in the country surrounded by trees and dirt roads? See the trees and look at a tree. Really look at the tree. Maybe pick up a paintbrush, too. Why throw in the towel when you have so much? Go in the city shopping once a week? Plan a day of it starting with breakfast and shopping at a Mall if one's available or whatever big store is around. Maybe Wal-Mart and Target. Don't have to buy much. Buy your paper products there. It's cheaper anyway! Go to an early afternoon movie...tickets are always discounted. Then go grocery shopping and bring dinner home already cooked. If you can't bring yourself up and out of the doledrums, pick up the phone and call your doctor. You may need some of his help. Smile. You may not think it, but you have so much to smile about.