Happy New Year—one month late. Whether you live with epilepsy, pnes, or both, and no matter the frequency of your seizures, the recovery period isn’t just regaining the physical balance, returning to your baseline as neurologists state, it also encompasses the mind. That emotional aspect of ‘not again’ what did I do wrong? How could… Continue reading Recovery
Category: PNES
2022—A Year of Hope and Moving Ahead.
Another day, another week, a new month, the last month. Where in the heck did the year go? I’m beginning to believe the old adage that time slips away faster as you get older. I recall as a child, wishing the days away to reach a long awaited day, a special occasion, only to have… Continue reading 2022—A Year of Hope and Moving Ahead.
the art of tattoo
OMG..this is so long overdue… As some of you may know, since moving to Calgary, I’ve gotten some tattoos. yes, shocking isn’t it? Don’t ask me why because I don’t know. I’m going to blame my location to the tattoo parlour, it’s only a few steps from my building. All too convenient I’ll say. But.… Continue reading the art of tattoo
I Just Remembered..
The memory is a funny creature. Sometimes preferring to hide away in its lair, hibernating until it awakens, rising to the surface slowly like a bubble weaving and bobbing its way to the top. Or so it seems to me.The brain stores, somewhere amongst the million or more neurons, thoughts and feelings in neat little… Continue reading I Just Remembered..
Here We go Again…
The mind is a mysterious place. I felt good. Life was moving along. The new support group for the seizure unit given the green light. Another laser surgery to treat my glaucoma booked, my twice weekly volunteer shifts at the hospital going well, the only box not ticked was my sleep. I’d managed a mere… Continue reading Here We go Again…
It’s not Your Fault
It’s been more than 2 years since I received my PNES diagnosis and my reactions when informed said seizure was non-epileptic vs epileptic, is the same today as it was the first time they told me. Even after all the reading and research I’ve done, I still feel disbelief and disappointment. Definitely not relieved. My… Continue reading It’s not Your Fault
Don’t Worry be Happy
Not my most favourite song, to be honest, but the right sentiment is there. That, and Don’t sweat the small stuff. Take it with a grain of salt. Like water running off a duck’s back. Grin and bear it. This piece is dedicated to all my fellow epilepsy and pnes patients and the lives they… Continue reading Don’t Worry be Happy
Is it me?
To Blame or not to Blame? Why is it after every seizure I ask myself, ‘what did I do wrong?’ How did I cause it?’ Each time, I have one, I still assume it was something I did to bring it on, that it’s my fault. Whether it’s epileptic or non, I believe it happened… Continue reading Is it me?
Doctors—My Second Family
When you spend so much time with doctors as I have, it’s a shock when you’re told, ‘you’re doing much better since I last saw you, and I think we can close your file. There’s no need for regular follow-ups, but my door is always open. I’m here if you need me.’ It’s good that… Continue reading Doctors—My Second Family
I GET NO RESPECT
PNES is not a topic the general population is aware of, even less so than epilepsy. Being a psychological disorder, it’s lumped in with all the others and disregarded. At least in my opinion and limited experience with it. Ironically enough, and I may be wrong, there seems to be more books out there by… Continue reading I GET NO RESPECT