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Son is Graduating HS!

Fri, 05/17/2019 - 14:28
Hi all, my son was diagnosed 9yrs ago and been well controlled for about 5yrs. I have been a mess! I know this is all normal emotions of your child growing, changing and possibly moving away. But, as a mother of a child with epilepsy, things are different for us. I am sad that we weren't even invited to the night of excellence. What about the kids that struggled every day, not just the honors kids? Does my kid even count? Graduation will be sweeter for us I suppose. We have had to take every day a time. Minute by minute. We had to clean up puke from when meds made them sick or when they were post-ictal. We were the ones tho had to help out kids to the car it they had a seizure at school that no one else saw. We have had to teach our kids empathy and compassion because when when in the hospital for a routine EEG, we they realize how lucky they truly are. There seems so many celebrations for the honor kids. How about our kids? Maybe I am sad that he may not have the traditional opportunities after HS. There will be no huge University for us. He has settled on a small trade school, and I worry about how he will adjust there. He can't even remember to take his meds, how is college going to affect his health? I'm sure things will be ok and yes I need to shot obsessing. You all know why though. We have lived this for so long. The daily anxiety and life that you cannot plan. Things will be ok I know. He is happy and healthy, and that is all I pray for. I needed to vent. I hope you all can relate!

Comments

Hi Amy_58d46477a2d24, Thanks

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2019-05-17 - 15:40
Hi Amy_58d46477a2d24, Thanks for sharing your experience and for posting. Congratulations to you and your son on graduating high school! Graduation is a very exciting and emotional time. As a caretaker, https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/parents-and-caregivers it’s important to make sure you’re taking care of yourself as well. The Wellness Institute https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/our-programs/wellness-institute , provides tools and strategies to better assist your loved one and support you in your important role. https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/healthy-living/stress-and-wellness/managing-stress Sometimes it's helpful to connect with other people who live with epilepsy, or care for someone with epilepsy, to ask questions, share experiences, and find and give support to each other. Find your local Epilepsy Foundation at epilepsy.com/localsupport ,  www.epilepsy.com/affiliates to find support groups, events, and programs in your community.You may also contact our Epilepsy and Seizures 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000, contactus@efa.org  , epilepsy.com/helpline , where a trained information specialist can connect you to resources,  provide referrals and additional supportFor information & tips about transitioning to college please visit, https://www.epilepsy.com/article/2018/8/epilepsy-strategies-transitioning-collegeAdditionally, you and your son may want to consider along with his doctor, having a device that can help track  seizures, by visiting https://www.dannydid.org/ , and by keeping a seizure diary https://www.epilepsy.com/living-epilepsy/epilepsy-foundation-my-seizure-diary , as another self-management tool. These tools may be helpful in managing medication & other therapies,identifying & tracking seizures, other symptoms, recognizing triggers and health events that may affect seizures and wellness, which can be shared with his healthcare team.

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