The same day, I got to see the neurosurgeon, I was able to see a neurologist.
I say “got to” because I feel like it was absolute divine intervention that I got an appointment so fast.
The neurology folks put me through a battery of touch-your-nose and follow-my-finger challenges. It seemed odd to both Keith and me that “how many fingers am I holding up” tests could yield insight into one’s neurological state, but apparently, they can.
I got a script for anti-seizure meds and a next-day appointment for an EEG.
To put it mildly, the seizure meds (Keppra) ruined my life for about 14 hours. I took one pill before bedtime, then woke up around 1:00 am reeling.
I’m not sure I’ve ever been more drunk and nauseated. If I opened my eyes, I saw the world in stretchy plastic squares. (I know that sounds so weird.) Nothing stood still.
We contemplated calling an ambulance, but hallucinating in an ER lobby isn’t high on my bucket list. Maybe some other time. Keith helped me struggle through the madness for about 3 hours until I was finally able to settle down and fall asleep.
It took half a day yesterday to get over it. I was able to make it to the 2:30 pm EEG.
The whole EEG experience was, fortunately, wonderful. As trite as “wonderful” might be considered, the ambient room, comfortable bed, and soft-spoken lady made it just that.
(There was even lovely piano music playing softly from some well-placed speaker. I realized, after I got still, that it was piano versions of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bruno Mars, ABBA, and Pink, and that made me giggle a little inside while I anticipated the next song.)
The EEG seemed silly to me at first. Did we really need to figure out the source of my seizures? (The tumors! Hello!?) I learned, though, that it was to detect any underlying seizures or unusual brain activity I could have and not know it. That would, apparently, not be good.
I would imagine that’s also why they looked at me sideways when I asked, “Can I just seize instead of taking that medicine, because I’m not going through that again”. That would also not be good, I guess, because they said auras and focal seizures can lead to the big, scary kind, and they said “no”.
The EEG helped me calm down and rest for about an hour. I felt a lot better after we left.
There is a prescription for a new, lower dose, anti-seizure med waiting for me at the pharmacy. Y’all pray it helps without the high.
Keith is about to cook me ham and eggs, in all his cute morning fuzziness, and hopefully, we can have a restful day. I am humbled by the outpouring of love and kindness in the comments of my posts, in messages, and via texts I’ve received. Thank you all for loving me and following along.
I have kind of been salty about the last days of my 2024. The thought of the “new year” all it allegedly has to offer – new beginnings and all that mess – seemed pretty ridiculous.
Within the last day or so, I have decided that 2025 is going to be about the power of prayer…and power in the purple…and grace and dignity…and accomplishments. More on all that later. Happy New Year, Y’all.
