Seizures

Welcome back to the next Thriving Not Just Surviving blog post. Its been another eventful week of doctor and hospital visits. 

 Up until a few weeks ago I didn't know what it was like to experience a seizure and I never gave much thought about epilepsy. Since Sunday, February 11, I've had 4 seizures with each one increasing in intensity. This past Tuesday I experienced another seizure during the night. I was taken to the emergency room the next morning and I experienced another seizure in the emergency room. I have no memories from these seizures, but I experience intense pain from the convulsions when I wake up. In fact  one of the seizures was so intense that I actually partially fractured my right shoulder.

I was admitted to neurology center at Barnes Jewish Hospital on Tuesday evening to undergo testing. I was seen by several different neurologists and underwent an Electroencephalography (EEG). This test monitors the electrical activity of the brain. The test failed to reveal anything abnormal. I also had my spinal cord tapped for fluid. The first round of tests completed on the fluid revealed nothing significant, but we are still waiting for some of the results.

Despite all the testing and checkups from multiple neurologist,s we were not able to identify the cause. I continue to exhibit epileptic symptoms with no identified cause. The good news is that I respond positively to anti-seizure medicine. Fortunately, epilepsy is treatable and most patients are able to keep seizures under control by taking a daily medication. So far the medication appears to be working. However, my oncologist is still wanting to learn more about this because there is no reason for me to be having seizures.

I was discharged from the hospital on Friday afternoon and I am spending the weekend recovering from a grueling hospital stay. During my stay I was seen by many different doctors in an attempt to diagnose my seizures. Thus far in the cancer journey this has been the most painful part. I have no memory of experiencing the seizures, but the pain is intense when I wake up after the seizure has passed. I experienced more pain during the past two weeks than during any other part of the lung cancer journey. I am very thankful for high strength narcotics.

The cancer journey was bound to get tougher. I just never expected that epilepsy would play a role. This week I resume physical therapy to continue recovering from the seizures. I'm looking forward to putting the pain behind me as much as possible.