Greetings, did I mention that I’m a mother as well?
People often ask if it’s hard being a mum with epilepsy and to be honest, the answer is no not really. I mean, I am very limited in some ways – can’t jump in the car and take my Lilly somewhere. And until about a year ago I would walk her around in the pram instead. But then I had a very dangerous seizure and have realised that it’s too risky to walk her alone. So that’s the end of that.
However otherwise I don’t feel nervous with her on a day-to-day basis. I think stress plays a role in the number of seizures I have, so if I spend my time worried about things like “oh no what if I drop her down the stairs / down the toilet”, I reckon I may be more likely to have a seizure. So our life is pretty normal together, just not much time is spent alone out of the house. But that’s OK, we just have more family and friend time outside together!
It can worry my other family members though. A seizure example I was reminded of today by my sister Ali was one not too long ago (and Ali if I get this slightly wrong you know it’s only because I have no memory whatsoever except you telling me). Anyway, apparently I called her at about 8:45am and said where are you? And she said um I’m at work where are you? And I said I am at work getting my hair done (no I am not a hairdresser). And she said where’s Lilly? And I didn’t know. So I can understand the concern on her side! But on my side, I had dropped Lilly at child care, I was at a local shop buying something or other and it just happened. As usual. She called me back a few minutes later and I went and double checked that Lilly was a child care, and she was. So I went to work and that was that.
So no pain, just a small amount of confusion and vagueness on my side. I really don’t think my seizures cause me much problem in my life. I often compare myself to someone who suffers from migraines. What’s worse? OK, there are large-scale problems that epilepsy causes in my life (not being able to drive etc) but I don’t experience any immediate intense agony the way migraine sufferers do. I think I would rather have the condition epilepsy than migraines. I can’t deal with any sort of pain. Ask my husband. Right now I feel like I am coming down with a cold and I am curled up in a ball and I hate it! A sore throat and chills! Big deal! Weird huh?
All that I can say that the only short-term thing epilepsy does is embarrass me at times. But we’ll get to that…karate chops and shower curtains and Dan Murphy’s (not combined)…
Anyway happy mother’s day to all my mummy friends and family!
my-epilepsy 
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