bejewlqueen |
Last Activity: 11-16-2007 03:15 AM
About Me
- About bejewlqueen
- Seizure Background
- History: Traumatic Brain Injury due to domestic violence. Husband in Vietnam and returned with problems, PTSD. Married 5 years, and arguments turned into combat. Final chapter, I asked for a divorce and received a beating with a/shotgun 410 over/under, until it splintered. That was the beginning of my journey...
After many years, had problems in relationships, working, everyday living. I was able to keep and excel in jobs, becoming a work alcoholic. I worked at a college/university setting, and a robotics corp. There were times, in my jobs that when people were talking to me, I had no idea what they were saying. It was listening to Russian, and I was supposed to respond. I had problems with fatigue, memory and depression.
I was also a single mom of a son, so many times I thought my symptoms were of trying to juggle jobs, being a mom, laundress, playmate, landscaper, cook, and a superstar at work. When I would go to the doctors and tell them something was wrong, nobody really took the time to drill down, and find out why?
I finally had a grand-mal and lost consciousness, while driving my son and I to the store to buy a birthday gift, to a party that started in 3 hours. We were on a highway, going about 65 mph...and he had the sense to put the gear into neutral, and turn-off the truck and coast until we stopped to the shoulder of the road. We were lucky.
I went to regular doctor, and she really didn't know...and asked me what I thought. I told her, as I had all along that I needed a neurologist, not a psychologist, or to do community service, or to church, or to lose weight, or take up yoga.
Like many doctors, the appointments were 4-5 months out, before I could be seen. I went through the phone book, and found one that would see me the next day. He asked me, what I thought the problem was, and I told him, "my body, my brain is shutting down just like a computer. And I feel like I'm dying."
He believed me, and acted quickly. I have been with him for over 6 years, and just recently had a VNS implant performed (exactly 1 month activated). It's been a long road, and hopefully with meds, VNS, GOD & FAMILY, things will get better. I am very optimistic, and looking forward to this fork in the road. I'll keep you posted... - Treatments
- I take ALOT OF MEDS! High dosages...I try to control stress levels, which is a great trigger for seizures.
- Location
- Grand Rapids, MI
- Interests
- Shared enough for now.
