Good News!

I met with the Epileptologist yesterday, and unfortunately I will not be decreasing my seizure medications for a year or so. My seizures are under control and my doctor wants to keep my seizure-free record going; he is happy with how things have been going. Instead of meeting every two months, my doctor's visits will be less frequent; I will see him in May before I go to France!!

Yesterday on the way to my appointment, I got an email saying that I had received a scholarship for the study abroad. I will be spending four weeks studying French at the University of La Rochelle in southern France. Going to France is a dream come true, and I can't wait to speak French everyday and immerse myself in the culture.

I believe that God has a plan for each and every one of us, and that His timing is perfect. Looking back at how far I have come, I have seen how perfect His plan for me is. I am an impatient person. For those who know me, I want things to happen when I want them to happen. My timing is not always the best timing, but by giving it all to God, everything falls into place how it should be. 

Update

Since my two-month seizure free record was broken, I have not had a seizure since October 3, 2013. It feels amazing to be stable and not have seizures! :) Not remembering what a seizure is like is so surreal; I never would have thought this would happen. The fear of what seems like a "ticking time bomb" of a seizure is completely gone. No fear.

This upcoming Tuesday I will have gone another two months without seizures. Pray that this record continues! I have an appointment with my Epileptologist next week, and I am hoping for a decrease in my seizure medications.

Speaking at Church

This past Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak at my church to share my story about my two-year battle with Epilepsy. I was nervous at first, but once I started talking, the words just came and I didn't notice the people in the crowd. When my pastor first told me that I would be speaking for two services, I panicked because I didn't know how long I was speaking for and how I was going to consolidate my life these past two years of being diagnosed with Epilepsy. With my mom and dad by my side, I knew that I could get through it and that everything would be okay.


After speaking at church, I realized how big of an impact my story has on people. To me, my lifestyle is normal because I have adapted to it, but it is amazing to look back and see everything that I have overcome; I have gained a lot of strength.

Busy Week with the Brain

Today was my last follow-up appointment with my Neurosurgeon (hopefully I will not see him again for another brain surgery). On Tuesday, I got my first MRI since surgery, and my Neurosurgeon confirmed that he is pleased with the results. 

My recent seizure activity can be explained to have been "phantom seizures", which are often caused by irritation in the surgical site. There is also the possibility that these seizures have been coming from one of the many Cavernous Malformations on my brain. We are still glad that we did surgery, and the success that came from that, which includes: a dramatic reduction in seizures, as well as no more active bleeding from the large Cavernous Malformation that was removed.

My difficulty with recalling words can be a side effect from the anticonvulsant medications that I am taking, or the fact that I should have been a blonde. ;) Although it is frustrating for me to have trouble thinking of words, it is entertaining for my friends and family; they say that when they talk to me, it is like playing charades!

This Sunday I will be speaking at my church to share my story of my two-year struggle with Epilepsy. I have had a lot of ups and downs, but God has definitely had his hand in my life. From May of this year to now, everything has aligned perfectly. I believe that God does perform miracles, and I am excited to share my story.

P.S. I will most likely be taking seizure medications for the rest of my life.

Meeting with the Epileptologist

I met with the Epileptologist last Thursday for a follow up appointment. He asked me about my seizure activity, and I told him that I had one that week and how frustrating it was. 

Right in the middle of the appointment, I had a seizure just like I described in my previous post. I could feel it coming on and I told him that I was having a seizure while talking to him. He asked me to explain what was going on and I said that it was hard to explain, but the sensations lasted about 30 minutes or so. He asked me to walk with one foot in front of the other and I couldn't. 

To my dismay, instead of decreasing my medications like I had hoped, they were increased. Last Friday morning, I took my new dosage and my vision was so bad that I could not walk without falling over. I decided to stay home from school because it was not safe for me to go. 

I had to change my perspective and realize that going two months seizure-free was a miracle, but that God is still testing me and saying, "Do you still trust me?"

This may not be the end of the road for me both surgery and medication wise. Please continue to pray! 

Broken Seizure-Free Record

Today, my record of being two months seizure-free since surgery was shattered. This seizure lasted about a few minutes, and the sensations continued for a half hour or so; it was really upsetting to me, because I have come so far to have a break-through. I know that surgery is not a 100% solution to eliminate seizures, but it felt so good to have gone so long without having a seizure. I meet with my Epileptologist on Thursday, and we go from there. I believe that God has a plan for me, and that he is not done using me. Please continue to pray for me!