Health

When I was in about 3rd grade, I began having chronic headaches. They were excruciating and unbearable, especially for a 9 year-old. We went to many doctors, and no one could figure out what was wrong. They said it was probably something I'd have to learn to deal with forever, because the pain would most likely not subside. Migraines took place about 2 times a week, but I was stuck with a headache every day. I still have this, but I've kinda learned how to manage it.
In 2008, my family, myself, and Molly were on a trip to Anamoose, ND. We left for home on May 18th, and while on a quick stop in Grand Forks at Perkins, that day quickly took a turn for the worst. I was told, although I don't remember, that I started foaming at the mouth and turning blue in my seat. My dad quickly put me on the floor, and as my mom prepared to perform CPR, 2 young nurses came to the scene. Now, I don't remember much about that day, but one thing I do remember is, when we first entered the restaurant, there were only old couples there for their afternoon coffee. I didn't see any young people. The 2 nurses simply touched me and my color slowly came back. Before my parents and Molly knew it, the paramedics were there to take me to the hospital. My mom glanced around, and the 2 nurses were no longer anywhere to be seen. I spent that day in the hospital, and the night in a hotel nearby. To this day, my mom is sure that I had 2 angels by my side. The doctors say that I had a Grand Mal Seizure, which is the worst form of a seizure you can have.
Now, there was not much they could do about a one-time episode such as this, but they encouraged us that it would probably not happen again. Little did they know, that week, I had a seizure in my sleep. My mom didn't report it, and from there, I was seizure free up until October. I'm not sure of the date, but some day in October of 2008, I had a seizure and fell down my stairs. No one was there to witness it, however. I woke up with a chopped up tongue (you bite your tongue during a seizure), blood stains on my forehead, and a touch of whiplash. Now my mom said she had to do something, because something was NOT right. We went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN, where, after some testing, I was diagnosed with mild epilepsy. I was put on medication, and now I've been seizure free for over a year! I have 6 month check-ups at Mayo in order to be able to drive and keep up with my medication. I'm so thankful that something was able to be done, because seizures often affect a person's life for the worst. My heart really goes out to people that have epilepsy and can't seem to treat it. I'm so thankful that all it was was epilepsy. I'm so blessed!