Epilepsy has been consuming us for the past few months.  Or should I say momentarily consuming us.  Our daughter Hilary had a grand mal seizure at our home the day after Thanksgiving. This was her 4th seizure in the past twelve months, and only the second time she’s had an injury that required stitches/staples. Oh my!  She injured the top of her head when she fell, and probably hit it on a small step.  Hilary has had a history with epilepsy since she was 4 years old.  You can read about her journey here.

When your kids have chronic conditions that require medication management, and doctor visits for maintenance of those meds, you expect to have a few bumps in the road on occasion.  However,  with Hilary, her bumps in the road have caught us off guard and thrown a wrench in the matrix of our world that was completely unexpected.

Before February of 2013 Hilary had gone 10, count them 10 years seizure free.  That means her meds were working, doing their job, and keeping her seizures at bay.  The seizure the day after Thanksgiving put Hilary on a 4-6 month no-driving restriction. That one fact alone has turned her world upside down and inside out.  The no-driving restriction has taken a big bite from her independence.  And to Hilary’s credit she has handled that fact like a trooper. Staying positive, taking the help where she needs to, and just getting through one day at a time.

The other hiccup Hilary had shortly after her seizure was the medications that were being added to her regimen started to give her problems.  One med made her get the uncontrollable chills, and then the next one a terrible allergic reaction.  Hilary got a fever and then broke out in hives within 12 hours.  This prompted a second visit to the ER in less than two weeks.  Not the way Hilly had been planning to start her holiday season. The allergic reaction was quickly brought under control, and she was able to come back home.

As of this writing Hilary is coming up on four months seizure free.  Can you see me doing my best cheer-leading impression?  She is hoping to get back to driving soon, and then she will not have to have her parentals carting her everywhere.  We have had a lot of bonding time recently.

There are so many things we are thankful for through this hiccup of life-

> Hilary was getting ready for work the morning of her seizure. Thankfully she hadn’t gone out the door yet.

> Her employer is gracious and flexible with her job assignment and duties.

> The care and compassion from family and friends helping Hilary deal with her seizure, and the changes to her meds.

>The never-ending love and selfless-ness of her family and friends surrounding her and getting her where she needs to be everyday.

> The love of her very special grandparents and great-grandparents.  She’s a lucky girl to be blessed with their presence in her life.

It is times like these when life gives you a friendly reminder to never take things for granted. Be thankful for each and every moment that is good, that brings you happiness, and allows you to tell your loved ones how important they are in your world.

Hilary’s journey with epilepsy is ongoing, and not always smooth sailing.  But, if our story touches one person or family dealing with epilepsy and lets them know that they are not alone, then our story is 100% worth sharing.

Photo credits: T.Spindle