When I arrived back home, my Mom was there to pick me up. (Thanks, Mom!) I called my Primary Care Doc and made the appointment. My poor PCD is probably tired of me and all of my issues. He has been treating me for allergies. He ordered a head CT for that evening. It came back normal.
Making an appontment with a Neurologist seems to be a near impossible task. One seizure may not be an issue to them, but it is to me. I have a career, a car, and a child. Immediate answers are necessary. It just isn't safe to be outside alone with Dominic...or give him a bath. I might never have another seizure. But, if I do, having one and putting my child in danger is not an option. The first Neuro office was less than willing to accomodate me and my request for an appointment. So, I took it upon myself to find another.
My neuro appointment was 6 days after my seizure. He did a basic neuro test of tapping my knee, making me look at a light, and many other things like that. Based on what happened and my history, he decided to go ahead and put me on medication and schedule and MRI and an EEG.
I have been advised not to take a bath, not to give my child bath, not to go swimming alone, and not to drive. Not only have I been ADVISED not to drive, the state of Florida requires a 6 month period without seizures. I cannot drive at all. I get it. I do. But, it is highly inconvenient and frustrating to be 31 and unable to take myself to the store or an appointment. I look fine. I feel fine (for the most part).
I am taking the medication as directed. He gave me Keppra XR. I take it at night. I feel a little blah in the morning, but the second day is much better than the first. The first day I felt sea sick. I really thought it would take two weeks to adjust. So, this is promising.
As far as work is concerned, it shouldn't be too bad. I can't drive, but it doesn't mean I can't fly and take a taxi. I ust can't drive locally. So, my Mom has offered to help out on her days off.
I have had calls with my manager and other folks who are above me. Everyone has been great and really supportive. We all know that this is a temporary disability. And, I am very grateful that I work for such a wonderful company.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
One Day
One day can change a lot.
Last Thursday, I was on my way to work in North Carolina. I had plans to spend the weekend there with friends. A few weeks prior, I made flight arrangements. I booked the earliest flight possible so that I could spend more time at home with my family. It isn't easy to be a traveling career-Mom. My alarm was set was 2:30 am. Definitely not a fun wake-up time. But, worth the time at home. I got to bed late. I had to make dinner for Dominic, give him a bath, play, put him to bed, then pack. I tried to pack while he was awake, but my suitcase kept ending up in the kitchen.
Bedtime. 11 pm.
About an hour later, Dominic woke up crying. Steve got up with him while I went back to sleep. The trusty alarm went off WAY too soon after that. I got up, got ready, and made my way to the airport. Typical. I had a light breakfast before boarding. I was totally stoked about getting a First Class upgrade! I flew enough last year to qualify. Sweet! I was so excited to have a pillow...so I could sleep.
I could not get comfortable. No good snooze for me. About 30 minutes into the flight, I felt a little dizzy. So, I adjusted my seat position to lean back. Much worse. I sat up and removed my suit jacket. Not better. I got some water. Not better. I fanned my face. Still not better. At that point, I knew I would not recover. I was going out. So, I turned to the man next me to tell him, "I just want to let you know that I don't feel good right now. I think I am going to pass out...but, I am okay."
Silence (At least it was for me)
Racing thoughts and mind. Dream-like, but very real. Am I dreaming? Did I just all asleep? Why can't I wake up? Mind still racing...images of the color blue and crazy lines racing through it. I feel like I can feel the speed of the plane.
I hear a male voice, "Are you okay? Ma'am? She's having a seizure." Then, a female voice, "Her name is Terry Brooks." There was chatter and questions. None of which I could answer. I managed to sit myself upright in the seat. Apparently, half of my limp body was in 4C and the other half was belted into 4D. The male voice was asking me questions. He was also taking my pulse. I could not speak or open my eyes. I did manage to wipe a tear off my cheek. I just sat there with my eyes closed. I was fully aware of my surroundings. I could hear everything. I could understand everything. I just couldn't speak. I felt so tired. I was very slowly able to start answering questions. The captain came on over the loud-speaker to let everyone know that our plane was granted priority landing because of a medical emergency on board. The nice voice told me we were about to touch down. I felt a blood pressure cuff on my arm. The voice was also checking my heart rate with a stethoscope. The flight attendant made an announcement that paramedics were going to come on board and that all passengers needed to stay seated.
By this time, I was alert. I was smiling and telling the nice voice, "thank you." I was able to walk off the plane...with some assistance. More blood pressure checks, pulse, Sats, and blood sugar. All within normal limits. I felt better. Delta put me on a plane back home.
I had my first seizure in almost 20 years. My Epilepsy is back.
Last Thursday, I was on my way to work in North Carolina. I had plans to spend the weekend there with friends. A few weeks prior, I made flight arrangements. I booked the earliest flight possible so that I could spend more time at home with my family. It isn't easy to be a traveling career-Mom. My alarm was set was 2:30 am. Definitely not a fun wake-up time. But, worth the time at home. I got to bed late. I had to make dinner for Dominic, give him a bath, play, put him to bed, then pack. I tried to pack while he was awake, but my suitcase kept ending up in the kitchen.
Bedtime. 11 pm.
About an hour later, Dominic woke up crying. Steve got up with him while I went back to sleep. The trusty alarm went off WAY too soon after that. I got up, got ready, and made my way to the airport. Typical. I had a light breakfast before boarding. I was totally stoked about getting a First Class upgrade! I flew enough last year to qualify. Sweet! I was so excited to have a pillow...so I could sleep.
I could not get comfortable. No good snooze for me. About 30 minutes into the flight, I felt a little dizzy. So, I adjusted my seat position to lean back. Much worse. I sat up and removed my suit jacket. Not better. I got some water. Not better. I fanned my face. Still not better. At that point, I knew I would not recover. I was going out. So, I turned to the man next me to tell him, "I just want to let you know that I don't feel good right now. I think I am going to pass out...but, I am okay."
Silence (At least it was for me)
Racing thoughts and mind. Dream-like, but very real. Am I dreaming? Did I just all asleep? Why can't I wake up? Mind still racing...images of the color blue and crazy lines racing through it. I feel like I can feel the speed of the plane.
I hear a male voice, "Are you okay? Ma'am? She's having a seizure." Then, a female voice, "Her name is Terry Brooks." There was chatter and questions. None of which I could answer. I managed to sit myself upright in the seat. Apparently, half of my limp body was in 4C and the other half was belted into 4D. The male voice was asking me questions. He was also taking my pulse. I could not speak or open my eyes. I did manage to wipe a tear off my cheek. I just sat there with my eyes closed. I was fully aware of my surroundings. I could hear everything. I could understand everything. I just couldn't speak. I felt so tired. I was very slowly able to start answering questions. The captain came on over the loud-speaker to let everyone know that our plane was granted priority landing because of a medical emergency on board. The nice voice told me we were about to touch down. I felt a blood pressure cuff on my arm. The voice was also checking my heart rate with a stethoscope. The flight attendant made an announcement that paramedics were going to come on board and that all passengers needed to stay seated.
By this time, I was alert. I was smiling and telling the nice voice, "thank you." I was able to walk off the plane...with some assistance. More blood pressure checks, pulse, Sats, and blood sugar. All within normal limits. I felt better. Delta put me on a plane back home.
I had my first seizure in almost 20 years. My Epilepsy is back.
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