Living in the Present Moment

I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was fourteen. At that moment, I wasn’t aware of how much it would impact me. I just continued my life normally. A few years later, and with a treatment that was working, my doctor decided to reduce my medication dosage gradually. From that moment, my seizures came back so they had to increase and try two different medications to have a combined treatment. 

The strange thing is that all my tests, each time I have them, reveal a positive result: the EEG, the magnetic resonance, and even the sleep study. If you look at the tests, it looks like I do not have epilepsy. In addition to this, my doctor told me that my condition would not improve in the future. I have drug-resistant epilepsy that could become worse as I become an adult. Due to this, they have recommended surgery, but I’m afraid of this because they have to extract a part of my hippocampus and one of the consequences of this could be loss of memory. I don’t want to wake up one day and forget all my life - my family, my girlfriend, or how to speak. 

Considering my situation and my options, I have started to think about the importance of enjoying the present. As cliché as it sounds, I believe that we need to “be here now” and “live life in the present moment.” I try not to be living in the past or anxious about the future. I try to appreciate the little things in life like my family and my hobbies. I think it is easy to lose sight of the fact that life is unpredictable, and things can change in an instant. 

One thing that helps me navigate my journey is sports. I go to the gym and do Judo. I found that when I am active, I can relax my mind and better control my control stress levels. Also, sports such as running, swimming, or some martial arts encourage socialization and community with people who share common interests and struggles. It is good to know that we are not alone on our journeys.

It is the little things in life that matter the most. I try to keep the perspective that sometimes we have to experience a little rain to enjoy the sunshine again. I appreciate every day and am conscious that I won't be here forever, so I seize every moment and live life to the fullest. Every day is a gift, and it's up to us to make the most of it.