Writing a Memoir: Digging up Memories“I’m pleased to report that I presented your proposal to our faculty committee and the project has been approved for a full contract.” A huge smile spread across my face...reactions2comments
"I'm Having a Seizure and I Need My Rescue Medication."Her eyes told me something wasn't right. The student approached the media center check-out desk in a quiet panic. "Can you call the school nurse?" she asked. My gut instinct...reactions4comments
A Career Path Rerouted by EpilepsyI had to laugh. Cardboard boxes scattered across the floor in my new Minneapolis apartment. I unpacked 1 and reached in to find something I hadn't seen since high school...reactionscomments
Losing My License and Trekking to WorkThe first time I slipped my car keys into a drawer for the unforeseeable future was like locking up my independence. I was 25 years old and a car had...reactions2comments
Questions to Ask Your Neurologist About Your Epilepsy"I think you have temporal lobe epilepsy, and occasionally have secondary generalizations." My very first appointment with a neurologist came a few days after running a marathon in Seattle when...reactions6comments
Seizure Smart Schools are Crucial for Teachers and StudentsSeizure education for teachers was something I'd never thought about while growing up because I wasn't diagnosed with epilepsy until my mid-20s. In my small Minnesota town, I'd never witnessed...reactions4comments
The Weight of My Epilepsy on My ParentsAs an adult, have you ever asked a loved one what it feels like for them to see you living with the daily struggles of epilepsy? My epilepsy diagnosis came...reactions3comments
Why Are Seizures Scary?My first seizure jolted all 3 of my college roommates out of bed. Yelling, blood, and convulsions shocked and scared them because I had been a healthy college athlete up...reactions5comments
Can You Die From Epileptic Seizures?Can you die from epileptic seizures? At first, I didn't want to know the answer, but my very first seizure was an indication of how serious they can be. One...reactions3comments
Is Epilepsy a Disease or Disorder?When I was first diagnosed with epilepsy in 2010, I just assumed epilepsy was a disease. Like cancer or heart disease, it can impact anyone and has multiple causes. But...reactions5comments
The Emotional Toll of EpilepsyThe burden of epilepsy is that it follows you wherever you go. Before my brain surgery, it started the moment I woke up each morning. Did I get at least...reactions1comment
Seizure Recovery: Who, What, Where, When, Why?Where am I? Why am I on the floor? What day is it? Did I have a seizure? When? Who was there? Returning to reality following a seizure is different...reactions1comment
Navigating Anticonvulsant Side EffectsIf there's one thing people newly diagnosed with epilepsy will find out pretty quickly, it's that many anticonvulsants, or antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), come with unwanted side effects. For me, it...reactions4comments
Becoming a Surgery CandidateThe idea seemed so far-flung at first. Brain surgery? What exactly do the surgeons remove? After repeated seizures during my video EEG stay in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) at...reactions3comments
When a Seizure Isn’t a Seizure After AllAn unexpected visit to the cardiology floor marked the highlight of my first video EEG testing in Michigan in 2012. What may have appeared to be drop seizures were actually...reactionscomments
The Holidays – An Annual Reminder of Memory Loss"Do you remember a few years ago when we went skiing for the holidays? It was so much fun!!" My stomach sinks whenever a seemingly innocent question regarding past holidays...reactions2comments
My DiagnosisThe Seattle Rock ’n Roll Marathon led to my epilepsy diagnosis in 2010, but the road to truly understanding my seizures stretched thousands of miles further than the 26.2 miles...reactionscomments
Epilepsy Awareness & the Power of Shared SupportNovember is Epilepsy Awareness Month. This month is an important reminder for me of the 3.4 million people across America who are waking up to take their medication, some fearful...reactionscomments
