Well after 4 ½ years or 53 months (not that I’ve been counting!) I can now say I’m a year seizure free! Little did I know what those months would entail. A year free is where I got told my seizures would be classed as being “stable” and I would be able to reapply for my driving licence. Something I’ve had my heart set on since day 1. Stable… it might not seem much but this is one of the biggest things, health wise, I could achieve right now. It allows my epilepsy diagnosis to have a different spin on it having that one year seizure free tag. The driving will slightly be setback as one of my medications is currently going through a changeover, but it will come when it’s meant to.
So 11th January 2017, a seizure, broken rib and my freshly healed broken wrist needing to be recasted, is the last dealings I’ve had with seizures. Anyone that takes anti-epilepsy drugs will know that unfortunately epilepsy isn’t just about the seizures, it’s the unwanted side effects of the drugs as well, especially during medication changes, but it’s all part of the process to get to where I am today.
I was so naive as to what I thought an epilepsy diagnosis was and the impact it would have not only on my life but also those around me. At times it has been incredibly scary; spending large amounts of time in hospital, broken limbs and injuries, the side effects of the medications and the emotional impact it has, especially with the misunderstanding epilepsy can bring. Plus the toll it takes on those around you, especially when there is nothing they can do to help. But a negative can always be flipped into a positive and we’ve raised over £11,000 for Epilepsy Action since being diagnosed through numerous fundraising events with the latest being myself and Jonny running the London Marathon in 2018, something I got told I would never be able to complete...nothing better than proving them wrong!
The best thing my epilepsy has shown me is what an amazing network I have around me from knowing what to do when I have a seizure, to hospital visits, supporting the charity work, the car lifts, the boosts when needed and the listening ear. The support shown never goes unnoticed.
Obviously getting to this point doesn’t mean the journey is over; I still live with epilepsy and will continue to do so forever. I will continue to adapt my life around it and continue to raise awareness that you can still achieve what you want to be able to do.
The main thing I’ve learnt is that your health really is your wealth, always treasure it. But as long as you have loved ones by your side you can get through anything!
Sara x
So 11th January 2017, a seizure, broken rib and my freshly healed broken wrist needing to be recasted, is the last dealings I’ve had with seizures. Anyone that takes anti-epilepsy drugs will know that unfortunately epilepsy isn’t just about the seizures, it’s the unwanted side effects of the drugs as well, especially during medication changes, but it’s all part of the process to get to where I am today.
I was so naive as to what I thought an epilepsy diagnosis was and the impact it would have not only on my life but also those around me. At times it has been incredibly scary; spending large amounts of time in hospital, broken limbs and injuries, the side effects of the medications and the emotional impact it has, especially with the misunderstanding epilepsy can bring. Plus the toll it takes on those around you, especially when there is nothing they can do to help. But a negative can always be flipped into a positive and we’ve raised over £11,000 for Epilepsy Action since being diagnosed through numerous fundraising events with the latest being myself and Jonny running the London Marathon in 2018, something I got told I would never be able to complete...nothing better than proving them wrong!
The best thing my epilepsy has shown me is what an amazing network I have around me from knowing what to do when I have a seizure, to hospital visits, supporting the charity work, the car lifts, the boosts when needed and the listening ear. The support shown never goes unnoticed.
Obviously getting to this point doesn’t mean the journey is over; I still live with epilepsy and will continue to do so forever. I will continue to adapt my life around it and continue to raise awareness that you can still achieve what you want to be able to do.
The main thing I’ve learnt is that your health really is your wealth, always treasure it. But as long as you have loved ones by your side you can get through anything!
Sara x