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What is Epilepsy?

Monday, February 10, 2020…. International Epilepsy Day.
Today I switch it up and share “‘What Is Epilepsy?” A personal account of how epilepsy has touched our family… and we have it EASY compared to some! #ENDEPILEPSY

What is Epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a breakthrough phone call that wakes you up- no words necessary, because you know that the crash you thought you heard in your slumber was real, when it’s followed by a ringing phone…

Epilepsy is realizing when your eyes adjust to the brightness of the phone’s screen in the midnight darkness, and the name on it is your son’s girlfriend, that yes, indeed, it’s time to mobilize.

Epilepsy is opening your son’s bedroom door to what looks like a crime scene, and not hesitating to jump into action. It’s deciding in a split second to get your thigh between your child’s head and the hardwood floor he’s seizing on, to prevent further damage to his skull- and slipping on the blood that has already spilled from his head, all over that floor, to get down closer to help him…

Epilepsy is holding your 6’3, 200lb. son, who is still your baby… bleeding and unconscious, in your lap… knowing that when he comes back around, post-ictally (in that haze after the seizure), he is often agitated and confused… and at this moment, you’re isolated- behind a bedroom door alone with him, no way to move out of harm’s way quickly if things go south…

Epilepsy is looking into those big brown eyes when he does come back around… asking if he knows where he is, what his name is, who I am… then reminding him gently, soothingly of all of those things, and telling him what just happened… and no, do not move- help is on the way- and yes- we are going to the hospital- again.

Epilepsy is hours in the emergency room, in the same trauma bay as last time, with the same nursing staff, the same attending physicians, oh, but new residents and fellows this time. “Our” room. 

Epilepsy is new meds, never ending side effects, trying again and again, blood tests, EEG’s, more and more office visits, more hospital visits….

Epilepsy is the loss of privileges and independence, all so very important in a seventeen year old mind.

Epilepsy is not going anywhere.

While we would never choose this path, I think we would all agree… Epilepsy has made us stronger, brought us closer and helped us find the bright side, the silver lining if you will, in even the ugliest of moments.

Epilepsy can never break our spirit. Epilepsy will never hold us back from our dream. Epilepsy is learning to find the good in every day, and appreciating the little things.

1 in 26 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy in their lifetime. 1 in 8 will have a seizure in their lifetime. Take the time to find out how to help, how to perform seizure first aid, should a seizure strike. Chances are, in YOUR lifetime you WILL witness one. Won’t you feel better if you know how to help?

Stay. Safe. Side.
For more information, visit epilepsy.com/firstaid

Dedicated to all Epilepsy Warriors, especially The Epilepsy Foundation’s Athletes vs. Epilepsy Ambassador…. Derrik Trezza. 💜
http://athletesvsepilepsy.org/DerrikTrezza

Be Well,

Laurie

By Laurie Trezza

A Registered Nurse, turned Personal Trainer, with a specialization in corrective exercise, I bring a unique perspective to the world of fitness. I have journeyed through joint replacement, weight loss and other obstacles, all of these experiences shape the trainer I am today.

This concept was created out of a love and appreciation for movement. I'm sure you have heard the cliché, "You don't know what you've got 'till it's gone!" I kind of experienced that in reverse.... Let me explain...

As a little girl I truly despised running and moving quickly- any game that required speed and agility was just not for me. I gravitated to slower, low impact activities- movement was really just the worst. Why? My knees hurt after a short time of running or jumping. No one really knew what to tell me, they'd shrug it off and run away. I was just "no good" at sports. Despite my lack of fast motion, I did remain pretty active.... but those knees!

As I got into my college years, I finally went to a specialist. He refused to even image my knees. I was "too young" for any type of issue he said. "Take an anti-inflammatory, get some more exercise and ice afterwards. You'll be fine." he continued. That was not what I had been hoping to hear. Maybe I was oversensitive. Oh well.

I graduated from college, got my first job as a Registered Nurse on a busy telemetry unit in a large teaching hospital in the NYC metro area. I got married, a few years later had my first baby, then my second.... then number three (oh, and bonus! it was twins!!!!) Still... those knees.... worse, worse, and worse....

The final straw- at a party, I met another mom, also carrying twins, as we chatted about all things twin pregnancy related, she squatted down to the coffee table below us to retrieve a snack.... Whoa!!!! Her baby-filled belly was even larger than mine (she was further along than I was) and she got up and down like she was an American Ninja Warrior! There was no WAY I could do that with my knees!

Once the babies were born, and life was humming along at a relatively normal-insane pace, I found another orthopedist. He listened, imaged, and found that indeed, my knees were a disaster. For a number of years we played with all types of treatments to prolong the inevitable... total knee replacements.

The year I turned 40, I was given one of the best gifts ever... a pair of titanium and polyethylene prosthetic knees! The surgery was difficult and painful to recover from, but the results were truly life altering.

Since recovering from my total knee replacements (TKR's), I have re-discovered exercise and movement again. It does NOT have to hurt. Exercise and movement does not need to be high impact and harmful to your joints to be effective in changing your body composition and changing how you feel. Exercise and movement absolutely must be, a part of your life to keep you fit both physically and mentally.

Newton's law of physics... "A body in motion STAYS in motion."

I had no idea how impactful motion would be on my life, until I could move without pain. It has made such an incredible change for me, I decide to make it my livelihood.

I've tied my nursing background in with my life experience with joint replacement, and looped that with a certification in personal training and specialization in corrective exercise. I am focusing this work to help others like me- who may be struggling to regain motion and emotional control after a difficult surgery or other life-altering situation.

Physical activity is the most under-utilized antidepressant out there, and in my observations, it seems we have a society that is more depressed than ever. Focusing on movement to better the body, mind, and spirit, that's what my work is about.

Grab YOUR OpportuKNEEty and SHINE!