I’ve left this blog abandoned for far too long. Life has a way of passing by so quickly. If it wasn’t for the change of green leaves to red, yellow and orange, we might just forget what season we’re in. As Purple Day approaches, I thought I’d revisit and update my epilepsy journey. After all, Purple Day is dedicated to raising awareness for epilepsy worldwide. By sharing our stories, we can teach others about this neurological disorder.
Will you join me in wearing purple on March 26th to raise awareness for epilepsy?
In the beginning, long before I knew what was to come, there was the BS period. This Before Surgery period began with my epilepsy diagnosis. This “E” word would haunt my adolescent life way before it had even begun. Those years filled with hundreds of “Why me?” and anger did nothing to help stop my weekly seizures. As I came to terms with my diagnosis, I found out that it didn’t define me, but made me stronger.
In 2013, my medical team hoped undergoing a right temporal lobectomy (fancy way of saying brain surgery) would help lessen and possibly eliminate my seizures altogether. This AS, After Surgery, period is marked by a feeling of endless possibility. For three entire years, I never had an aura. I never had a seizure. I was seizure free! I was learning to drive. I was once again becoming the talkative and outgoing person I used to be.
2016 changed all that. Just like all good books turned into a movie series, this AS period came in two parts. The renewed independence I had regained was once again ripped away from my grasp. Now, as a mature adult, (I can’t believe I just called myself that!) I will not let epilepsy turn things upside down again.
In this AS Part II period, I’m working toward regaining seizure freedom. I’m not letting fear, or anger take away the renewed me. In this period, I’m taking life day by day. I’m relearning to take my meds and figuring out my new seizure triggers. I’m still my silly, nerdy self. I’m still strong and taking the good with the bad. I’m still an Epilepsy warrior who won’t let the monster in her head win.
And I’m still Veronica with just the right amount of attitude!
Life: Crossed Out and Rewritten 