Showing posts with label Seizures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seizures. Show all posts

Nov 12: Back Home from Hospital


This slide show (sorry I can't slow it down) shows from early on Sunday, 11/9/25 through late afternoon on Tuesday, 11/11/25. Many challenges during this time... health and otherwise.

So glad Weslee and I are home. Hospital beds and the 'guest bed' (couch) are so uncomfortable. Once discharged, Weslee and I went to pharm, came home, ate, I started laundry and gave a seizure rescue med to Weslee, then we chilled until bedtime.

Today, I awoke in severe pain. They had sent me home with meds for infection, spasms and pain. The pain pills are very weak so staying in bed for today, unable to really function.

Despite hating their beds, the constant taking of vitals, and the ongoing evaluation of my eyesight (awoke with severe double vision on Monday), I believe we (I) would have benefitted from an extra day there.

Weslee's seizures are a mess. He has already taken an extra seizure med this morning because they (the little / simple partial seizures) were hindering his rational thinking skills. Glad I stopped by the pharmacy on the way home last night. Weslee now has enough rescue nose sprays for the month. I hope.

#ThatPurpleMomcom

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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share... PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... AND please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/VikkiLawrenceShop .. 

For Weslee's regular and daily needs, please visit: Weslee Lawrence's Needs (WalMart) List.  Thank you.


Nov 9: Checked in at Hospital

The last 10 days have been difficult, frustrating, painful and sped by much too fast. I will catch up on what happened when I can.

Meanwhile, I checked in at a hospital just a bit ago. Am in my room, but I don't have my IV etc yet. The plan is to take blood for CBC, get an infusion (or 2) of platelets today/tonight, then get the surgery tomorrow. Home probably on Wednesday, depending on bleeding.

Weslee is just chilling. Still gonna have to Doordash his food about once a day, but he has enough to keep him occupied.

He has had a lot of seizures lately. I am worried about him but at least he is safe here with me. No possibility of tumbling down the stairs or crashing into a bed.


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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share... PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... AND please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/VikkiLawrenceShop .. 

For Weslee's regular and daily needs, please visit: Weslee Lawrence's Needs (WalMart) List.  Thank you.


Oct 27: Surgery on Day 2 in Hosp

Yes, same
shirt. Very
little prep
and grab time.

Rough night in the hospital. Couldn't eat, drink or sleep. Surgery was expected in the morning. THIS morning. Monday.

While in E.R., they found a huge kidney stone that had been growing for a while. It had moved into a position where it began to kill me by pain. (Horrible joke). The urologist and hematologist were looped in as well as the hospital's night doctor, an endocrinologist and who knows who else.

The urologist, after consulting, getting more tests done, etc, did a quick procedure. Not sure it's formal name but they put a stent going from the stone to the 'exit'. 

After about a week or two, I will get platelets and plasma, then the next day will get the last surgery... where he will use a laser to PEW PEW the stone then push it out? Last part is unclear. Was going under anesthesia at the time.

So meanwhile, I will continue to be in pain. Will meet with a specialist to temporarily take care of the uterine cancer. And will push fluids, take care of Weslee (and me!) and just take it easy.

Thank you...Vikki (and Weslee)

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WESLEE'S birthday is almost here. He loves almost anything Spiderman. Size Men's Medium (USA).

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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share... PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... AND please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/VikkiLawrenceShop .. 

For Weslee's regular and daily needs, please visit: Weslee Lawrence's Needs (WalMart) List.  Thank you.


Oct 26: Back in Hospital

Really brief ... I started out the day okay, but by mid-morning, my side started hurting.  By evening, I couldn't function as the pain had risen to 9 out of 10.

I called my elder sister who drove over to pick up Weslee and me. Dropped us off at Emergency Dept. I had a feeling that I would be admitted, so we brought Weslee's weekly pill container, chargers and a few other things.

That was around 8 p.m.  It is now almost midnight. Will go into more details in my next post.

Vikki


P.s. While dealing with a massive wave of pain tonight, Weslee had a nasty seizure, and fell backward. Hit his head. Arghhhh!!!!

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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share... PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... AND please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/VikkiLawrenceShop .. 

For Weslee's regular and daily needs, please visit: Weslee Lawrence's Needs (WalMart) List.  Thank you.


Oct 24: Worn Down and Out

In my last post, Weslee had just begun having more seizures. That was Wednesday night. For the next 36 hours or so, I dealt with waves of seizures from him, barely getting a chance for him to do anything more than listen to YouTube videos. Neither one of us got any writing done.

I was exhausted by last night. Run down and worn out.

It is now Friday, after noon, and I'm going back to bed. Weslee's seizures have calmed a little bit, but unfortunately, I seem to have picked up a bug. I'm achy all over with a runny nose and a slight fever. Sore throat. 

I am bundled under three massive comforters, and am in my Winter flannel p.j.'s with fuzzy socks and fingerless gloves.

I just don't feel good at all. 

Hope I didn't give it to Weslee.

You know when you get sick with the flu or really bad cold and you can't really sleep a solid sleep because ... you just can't? That was me last night. So here it is about 1:00 p.m., and I'm going back to bed. 

I really really hope that Weslee will have a wonderful, calm and seizure-free Friday.

So far, so good.

Thank you.

Vikki

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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share... PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... AND please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/VikkiLawrenceShop .. 

For Weslee's regular and daily needs, please visit: Weslee Lawrence's Needs (WalMart) List.  Thank you.

OCT 8: Forces of Progression

I swear ... One step forward, nine backward.  

  1. Glad to be home from the hospital but the 'complications' from the surgical procedure I had a few weeks ago that made me go to the E.R. and be admitted last week are back.
  2. Weslee really didn't have many seizures while we were there (nearly 3 days) but is making up for it now. Nearly fell down the stairs last night. I hereby declare (picture me with a stern voice, minus this ridiculous Southern accent): our next place will have NO .. ZERO .. ZIP .. NADA stairs. Safer for him, and easier on my back (from catching him).
  3. Can't believe my baby will turn **29** !!! in a few weeks. Yesterday I warned him that money is very tight and to not expect many presents this year. He put a few things in the Amazon cart: Season 1 of a show he really likes, and a new case for his Fire Tablet. I usually get him a new tablet and/or laptop for Christmas but he has dropped so many this year (yet another 'benefit' of epilepsy), I can't see spending the money.
  4. I need a lifesaving surgery within the next six months or so but surgeons won't do it until my platelets increase to where I won't bleed out on the table. I get my numbers checked on Friday.  No matter what they are, I need to take steps to increase them. My baby Weslee needs his mama.

I have more to say but am tired. Gonna read for a few while listening to music, then go to sleep.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your lives.


Vikki

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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share... PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... AND please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/VikkiLawrenceShop .. 

For Weslee's regular and daily needs, please visit: Weslee Lawrence's Needs (WalMart) List.  Thank you.

OCT 3: Home at Last

 

The first pic is from early this morning when they had to replace my IV line that had slipped out. Glad we didn't need it!


The second pic taken later today shows where the previous attempts and IVs were. Note the bruises already forming.


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We are home from the hospital... finally!!  Nearly 3 days seems like weeks when you are fighting a health situation.

Came home with a drug that I have to take for 5 days, and a check-in with my oncologist/ hematologist next Friday. I have big hopes.

Weslee is sooo happy to be home. Barely had any seizures while we were gone.  Hmmm... gets me thinking... is there something here at home that could be causing his increased seizures? Or was it that he got out of his head and put me first more than usual.  I couldn't be the ever vigilant mom/care-giver while there so...

Will watch closely.


Vikki

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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share... PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... AND please visit my etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/VikkiLawrenceShop .. 

For Weslee's regular and daily needs, please visit: Weslee Lawrence's Needs (WalMart) List.  Thank you.

Aug 2: Overall Update

I know, I know. It's been a while so thought I would do a little update about several topics.

Temperature Too Hot: (See July 28 posting). We got the little a/c units but they only work half the time. Trying to return them thru Amazon but frustratingly, not getting a response. Will keep on trying.


I have an electric cooler that I bought last year to use as a fridge during hospital stays. It is insulated (see 2nd pic) so I figured plugged in would be too cold. I experimented. Satisfied with the results, I started keeping ALL of his meds in it. It's a tight squeeze but necessary.

My Surgery: Still waiting on getting approval for the special medicine to bring up my iron and platelet levels. They won't do my exploratory surgery without my levels increased so I don't bleed out on the table. Medicine and insurance move slower than snails!

Weslee and an Overall Physical: (See Jul 23 posting). He had been having some minor complaints about various things, so I took him to his GP. No diabetes, platelets and other various blood components all look good. Gotta watch his headaches (still has a shunt [I call it a brain drain] and it is still working and in the right place.)

Oh, and get this. His last appointment was December 2024. Between then and now, he lost 40 pounds.  FORTY!!

Weslee and His Epilepsy: He continues to have both good days and bad. Clusters of the various types of seizures. Aggrevation leading to tantrums leading to outbursts of seizures.

He does seem to have a lot more of those little seizures even before he opens his eyes in the morning.  He is taking a rescue drug nearly every morning (doc okayed it).

His next epileptologist appointment isn't until November. That is a WHOLE LOT of seizure-filled mornings.

I really wish the VNS (vagus nerve stimulator) worked on him.

The Cleveland Clinic is keeping Weslee's file open for if when we find funding for a vehicle to get us there and back.

Plan for the Nearby Future:  Because of my increasing medical situations, I need to plan for "just in case" but am having some difficulties. While I do have 2 and a half sisters, no one can take on Weslee. My best friend is in her 70s (I think) and can't do it either.

My husband doesn't get along with my son (they are not bio related).

I **am** his POA (Power of Attorney). I can legally make decisions for him but this doesn't work regarding long term plans, and/or what I want to happen when I am gone.

Seriously, no one I know can and is willing to become Weslee's guardian. I have no extra money to put towards a group home, and our combined income is $60 over the requirement. That same $60 prevents Medicaid and other things that could help.

So what do other people do when they have a special needs adult kid who is mentally preteen and there is no one in the family to help?


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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share .. PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... Thank you.

Jul 20: Seizures Started Early Today

Not a whole lot to write about lately. Trying to get cool enough to think. Projects underway (pic of an altered paperclip [shaker] down below). Books begging for me to finish writing them. Make short and long plans. Figure out what should I do for W (guardianship, living digs, etc) for when I die. Figure out how to make certain things without resin.

About 50 minutes ago, Weslee stumbled into my bedroom, threw on the lights, and grabbed the bottle of one of his seizure meds to quickly take one. He knows to take only 1 extra.

Me.. Did you already take your morning pills?

Weslee.. Yes, but my brain is going crazy. 

Poor thing looked so miserable, exhausted and discombobulated.

Me.. What kind of seizures?

W.. Medium plus.

Try as I might, he won't use proper terms, so I have to ask questions and guess. Sounds like this morning's were clonic (kind of paralysis), absense and 1 or 2 gelastic.

Should have expected them. We had a bit of an argument last night. It almost always triggers seizures.


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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share .. PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... Thank you.

Jul 8: Off Topic: Film Hacksaw Ridge

This ties in to seizures and being a caregiver. Read on.

I have a list of movies that I want to watch when I get a chance. It keep getting longer, despite me keeping a tablet or TV constantly running something. 

Tonight, while browsing a streaming service for a title off my 'someday' list, I noticed 'Hacksaw Ridge' was finally available in my price range. Free.

Started it up for the noise and background entertainment while I worked on Weslee's pills for the week. Have to admit: I had to keep pausing it because I was sobbing so hard that I couldn't see the pill bottles in front of me.

Got me thinking a lot about wars, killing, and death. Naturally, my never-quiet-mind went there.

My inner dialogue:

Me.1: We were taught that killing was wrong.

Me.2: True, but what about 'holy wars' and the 'crusades'?

Me.1: Maybe some killing is ok? Dad was in the military. So was my current husband, and my wonderful nephew who has PTSD.

Me.2: Can I reconcile that in my heart? In my soul?

Me.1: Peeta, a character from The Hunger Games, had a great line when asked .. "so you won't kill?"  He responds, "I'm sure I will, like anybody else".

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As a mom of an epileptic young man who came seconds away from death in 2019, I fight hard every day to keep him alive. Surgeries. Doc appointments. Medications. Raising money. Favorite treats. Movies. Books about writing to keep his mind active. A/C to get him comfy. Taking the tantrums on the chin. PTSD.

Don't ask me if I would kill to save him.

You might not like my answer.

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ETA: I realize this post sounded a bit harsh so let me say a few more things...

  • I loved loved loved this movie. I have since watched it another 7-8 times, seen over 10 "first time watching .. reacting" YoupTube vids, and sobbed each time.
  • I didn't have a problem with the killing, explosions, or the cruelty of the story. It depicts war, of course, and those are very much a part of war. I had a problem with the hypocrisy of christianity vs murder/killing.
  • Andrew Garfield was the only actor possible for this role. I still get goosebumps when his character converses with God before he hears someone calling out for a medic, and thus began his "one more" scene.
  • Vince Vaughn and the other cast members were also incredibly talented. I didn't spot even a smidge of overacting. Amazing considering how many background actors participated.
  • Mel Gibson is a visionary.  I am very sure he heard about what this Mr. Doss did... then it sat and niggled and tickled his mind, practically fully formed.
OK. I think that's it for now.

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Weslee needs more brain surgeries for his seizures.  To help, please like, follow and share .. PLUS .. please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... Thank you.

May 27: A Short from Grey's Anatomy

When I need a screen 'fix', I often turn to YouTube Shorts (or NetFlix or Amazon Prime or YouTube regular).


Last night, ok ... around 12:45 a.m. this morning ... a short came across my feed. The medical conundrum of the "Grey's Anatomy" episode was seizures in a young lady. Four seizures that day, prompting the mom to bring the daughter to the ER. 

The daughter had already been diagnosed by a competent (I would hope!) doc.  The diagnosis was an "HH TUMOR". It is ...  ...

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a rare, benign brain tumor in the hypothalamus, the region of the brain that controls many bodily functions. It is characterized by various symptoms, most commonly gelastic seizures (uncontrollable laughter or giggling). Other symptoms can include seizures, precocious puberty, and cognitive or behavioral issues. 

(Note: Sounds a lot like Weslee, but he had a tumor removed in 2013 and there is no sign of another.)


Dr. McDreamy wanted to try a new-to-him procedure, a brain surgery, coming in from the top of the head. While I agree with the mom's statement of "we'll take any relief that we can get", I don't know ....

  • of any neurologist who would only briefly review the daughter's regular seizure doc's notes and treatment plan, then ignore it.
  • of a neurologist who wouldn't even consider pulling in an Epileptologist (a neuro doc who specializes in seizure treatment).

I'm sure I can think of more, but ... migraine. Still. Again.

Just my initial thoughts.  Yours?


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Weslee needs more brain surgery for his seizures.  Please go to his Medical GoFundMe or to our Paypal ... Thank you.



Apr 5: Off Topic: Film 'Encanto'

Weslee and I love watching movies, although our tastes don't always align. A few years ago, he introduced me to reaction vids on YouTube, where we see people watch and react to movies (or TV shows, musical performances, etc). 

I have watched a lot since then, probably more than him, usually in the middle of the night while listening for seizures.

So I have seen lots of reactions to the movie ENCANTO (one of the best animated movies I have experienced). Reactions are all positive, and quite a few reactors end up spilling a tear or two.

SPOILER ALERT

One aspect I don't get. Mirabel (the main character who looks to be a teen) doesn't receive a magical gift during her door ceremony. Why? That is the question every reactor asks. But the answer, given towards the end, is often overlooked. THAT is what I don't get.

The answer(s):

  • It wasn't her time to get a her gift when she was a young child.
  • Bruno's vision had to happen first. Notice how Mirabel in Bruno's vision matched her current appearance / age.
  • Bruno hints at it, when he rejoins his family: "You are the real gift, kid."
  • Mirabel's gift: to be the next generation of Matron / Keeper of the family magic. That is why installing and turning the doorknob of the reconstructed house was an indication of HER gift... not just a door to a room, but a door to the entire magical house and village. She is set to take Abuela's place because Abuela (Grandmother) can't live forever.

Just my opinion. You?


NOTE: I think I will keep interjecting posts about art, videos and other topics in this forum. I am not just a mom of an adult child with autism, OCD, intractable epilepsy, partial blindness, and etc.

Had to cancel our Disney+ subscription because of rising prices on almost everything. It is a real bummer because we can't watch Marvel movies, etc., or rewatch Encanto!

Anyhoo, for the last 3 afternoons, Weslee has had seizure clusters. Trying to slip a rescue seizure med in between seizures takes practice, of which I have plenty. The rescue nose spray is easier.

Have a great day.

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Please help with Weslee's medical expenses. Click here.  Thank you.

Vid of Seizures and Aftermath

This is what happens when he gets sick, or otherwise have breathing/coughing jags.

The first is his 'wiggle worm/pretzel', which I still dont know what type of seizure it is. The 2nd shows his attempt to talk after a cluster of the above seizures.

I hate epilepsy!!!

(www.ThatPurpleMom.com)


Let's hope the vids can be loaded in. Fingers crossed.


1st vid: To see on YouTube, click here



2nd Vid: To see this video #2 on YouTube, click here




Testing!

Weslee and I left Louisville early on Sunday, heading to Cleveland Ohio for our appointment at the Cleveland Clinic on Monday, August 26th. It took us 7 and 1/2 hours, to drive 5 hours, because of way too many instances of road work. 

By the time we finally got to our hotel for the night, we were tired, hot, sweaty, and in horrible moods. We chilled, order Doordash, and they got lost. We eventually got our food, ate and went to bed.

Monday morning we headed to the Cleveland Clinic, where I got lost. So much fun! We finally made it, parked with the valet, and we're only 15 minutes late for the appointment. So glad they wanted us to come in early!

Spent an hour and a half with the admitting physician, then we were immediately led to Weslee's room. It's kind of okay, somewhat comfortable, except they didn't have an actual couch/bed for me. They had a chair that pulls out into the most uncomfortable chair bed I have ever been on. Don't even ask me how bad my back is! 

Anyhoo, they started hooking Weslee up to the EEG leads, and for the next three to four hours, the room was a revolving door of nurses, EEG techs, registration, more nurses, and doctors. I'm surprised Weslee didn't have a seizure just because of all the activity!

He had an instance of a weird lurching feeling, so we pressed the red button (that alerts the people monitoring and marks the time on the vid and EEG tape.) They also noted 3 instances of seizure activity that we didnt notice. Hmmm. Interesting.



(A huge shout out to my friend Suzi for watching my place while we are gone.)


Emotions Can Cause Seizures

I was surfing YouTube the other night, as I often do while listening for seizures and waiting for a new day to dawn. 

(Yep, I sleep about every other night. I need to hit the hay soon.)

But, I digress.


I came across this vid of a young woman having a seizure during a beauty pageant. It looked like a drop seizure. It turns out her seizures can be triggered by intense emotions like stress.  Video link: 

https://youtube.com/shorts/SPvzXKBgZiE?si=ED_m1Q0QFyA-YLB1

Got to thinking... Weslee tends to have his bigger seizures after we argue or if he gets bullied online, or watches certain videos and movies.  (He saw Deadpool 3 on July 26 and within an hour of coming home, the seizures started.)

Yet one more thing to bring up at the Clinic.