This post is part of the Epilepsy Blog Relay™, which will run from November 1 to November 30, 2018. Follow along!
Lily’s Story
I am a 52 year old Mexican American woman living with epilepsy. I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2014. My story is similar to others but we are all unique. I have temporal lobe epilepsy and suffer from absence and partial seizures.
For 22 years, my career included work as a pre-school teacher, a nanny, an elementary public school teacher and later a university and college student advisor. My career was booming. I loved traveling, and driving long distance.
Epilepsy diagnosis
One day in October 2014, I was working with a student in the computer lab. As she sat next me, she asked me questions about what classes she could register for the Spring semester at San Antonio College. I went silent. I could hear her ask me if I was okay, but my mind was “floating”. There is not much recollection about that day. After being in the emergency room at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital in San Antonio for several hours, and the many tests given, I was admitted. I had several seizures during my five days at the hospital. Dr. Silva, a hospital neurologist, diagnosed the epilepsy. There were many unsure answers to the questions he asked.
According my mother, I had several hospital stays as an infant for high fever, that resulted in febrile seizures. In my early child hood years, I was a slow learner, unable to make high grades, no A honor rolls. I recall several times in my life when I felt “out of my body” experiences.
Related article: Survival tips for adults without a driver’s license
VNS to manage seizures
I took several anti epileptic medications, but the still made ER visits on a monthly basis. On January 23, 2018, I had surgery. I had a VNS implant, which has helped me cope with my seizures. I know I still have them, but at least now I know what to do before, during and after seizure activity. I have taught my best friend and my family what to do when I have an episode.
NEXT UP: Be sure to check out the next post by Chanda at livingwellwithepilepsy.com
Living Well With Epilepsy’s Epilepsy Blog Relay™ is an epilepsy awareness movement to designed to maximize collaboration and eliminate stigma. Thank you to our generous sponsors and partners!
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