More Than Epilepsy

I had my first tonic-clonic seizure on November 10, 2022, and it was one of the most terrifying periods of my life. I was just 21 years of age and had never had a major health issue in my life. I suddenly woke up in my passenger side seat with an ambulance behind me, and I wondered how something like this could happen. I initially thought it was because I had accidentally hit my head on something about an hour prior and it had caused a seizure, but that was not the case. To emphasize the lack of major health issues I have incurred in my life, when I was admitted into the hospital after my incident, the only other records I had in that hospital were from when I was an infant and two prior addresses ago. 

Through research, and specifically, what I learned from the Epilepsy Foundation, I concluded that I occasionally had what are called focal-aware seizures for about four years prior without any knowledge, except for feeling occasional sensations of Deja vu and confusion that I mistook as dehydration or exhaustion. These would last about 30 seconds. I was officially diagnosed with focal epilepsy in my left temporal lobe in June 2023 through an EEG and have had four tonic-clonic seizures total from November 2022 - September 2024. I have taken anti-seizure medication since April 2023. I have only had one tonic-clonic seizure within the year and a half time frame since beginning anti-seizure medication, compared to three within six months without medication.

Epilepsy is a challenging disease, and seizures are only a quarter of the battle. Most days, I will be seizure-free, but some problems still present themselves in daily life: side effects from medication, worry about having a breakthrough seizure, and wondering how epilepsy will affect my present and future life. As someone who lives in Texas, where the law states that one must be seizure-free for three months to drive, the constant lookout and knowledge that my freedom to drive is up in the air is something that I do not take for granted. It reminds me to strive for safety and keep up maintenance with a safe and smart plan to stay healthy following what my neurologist recommends. With the help of the Epilepsy Foundation, I have access to resources that assist in my day-to-day life as a person with epilepsy. This includes Seizure First Aid training, scholarly resources, and other people to share stories and connect with people who understand.

Nevertheless, I refuse to let it define me. I recently graduated from the University of Houston with Magna Cum Laude Honors. I spent the spring semester in Washington D.C. interning on Capitol Hill as a Hobby School of Public Affairs intern. I will still have to manage this condition and this journey daily, but in the end I will win. I couldn’t do, accomplish, and overcome all I have in life without the help of God, family, friends, and my neurologist who have supported me over the years.

I have seen other stories on social media and wanted to share mine. I hope it helps people understand the complexities of epilepsy and encourages them, as they are not alone. Never believe that having seizures, having to take medication, worrying, or any of the other challenges that come with epilepsy and seizures can bring down the life that you were destined for and have worked hard to have. We are called to be much more than any disease, condition, or complex situation. Never give up!