A LITTLE OF MY EPILEPSY STORY

Epilepsy is often times overlooked and not really considered by people in general. I was one of those people that did not think much about epilepsy until it became a serious problem for me on a personal level. For the past nineteen years I have been an epilepsy patient and I have been extremely lucky having only suffered three major seizures in the first two years and nothing else since.

Epilepsy is something that can happen to anyone regardless of age, sex, race, and religious belief. I remember that when I was diagnosed with it at age 15 I thought it was the end of the world. I did not think that I would ever be normal. My first mistake was thinking that epilepsy would make me less normal. Epilepsy patients are capable of achieving the same greatness as people without it. Epilepsy rendered me a victim of a why me mentality.

Epilepsy makes you wonder why it was you. To me that moment made no sense because I was just starting high school. I remember my first real seizure was right before my first day of high school. I did not think things could be any worst than that. I do remember reading about a little girl that sometimes had up to 25 seizures a week and thinking to myself that in some way I was blessed to not have a more severe case of epilepsy.

Today I live a normal and highly productive life and while my case was less severe than many others I will say that epilepsy is a motivator and not a detractor.

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

Dogs are more often than not credited as being man's best friend and a factor in enjoying a slightly lengthier quality of life. Like every living dogs eventually find an expiration date. The problem with that expiration date is that we the owners have to make that decision. So how exactly do we say goodbye to an old friend?

I recently had to deal with the very difficult decision of putting my dog to sleep. The last few days I could tell she was in some real pain. Hip Dysplasia had affected my dog as well as an enormous loss of muscle mass in her hindquarters. I sat with my wife and son and discussed all the possibilities for our dog. At the end of a lengthy and tear filled discussion we realized that there were no options.

We made a decision to have our dog euthanized and made an appointment with the veterinarian. When the day came our old friend was weaker than ever but still willing to behave in the vet's office. Those last few minutes we were asked if we wanted to remain for the procedure and we answered yes. We witnessed our dog taking her last breaths and leaving for a better life. We took our time and petted her once more and said goodbye. When we walked out we realized we had made the right decision for our dog  as hard as it was. We were with our companion until the end and said goodbye the right way.