My parents called this morning to remind me that it’s an important anniversary, one I honestly would’ve forgotten had they not remembered. Exactly a year ago, I regained the ability to speak. Though I hadn’t known the precise date, I do remember the moment. There had been some buildup to to it, and my anticipation, … Continue reading The Gift of Gab
Tag: epilepsy
New Wheels, Gotta Roll
At very long last, my new wheelchair arrived on Thursday. It’s a thing of beauty. More importantly, it’s mine. Not on loan from the medical supply company. Fitted for me, with everything tightened up where it ought to be. Smooth and shiny (for now, anyway). Ready for the accessories I’ll inevitably buy to make it … Continue reading New Wheels, Gotta Roll
The Flip Side of a Flop
I like to tell myself that everyone has those “yeah right, medical professionals, quit the hyperbole and lemme do what I’m gonna do” moments. Aren’t I, after all, the expert on my own body? (History would suggest otherwise, in my case, but I’ll conveniently brush over that part.) Don’t hold me back! I’m regrowing a … Continue reading The Flip Side of a Flop
“Should I Be …”
As soon as I heard myself say it, I burst into the kind of self-aware laughter that’s been coming to me frequently and spontaneously as of late. I’d been obsessing about something I did a little compulsively (all of this in a very OCD manner, of course), and, as I am wont to do, I … Continue reading “Should I Be …”
Sleep or Swim?
My body and brain must miss the recreational swimming I enjoyed before I had epilepsy. Three of the last four nights, I’ve woken up in the wee hours drenched in sweat. I mean, drenched. Through-the-sheets, through-the-duvet-cover-and-the-duvet, stringy-hair drenched. Gross and uncomfortable? Yes. Disconcerting? Also a yes. I’m not particularly worried that these four-in-the-morning swimfests are … Continue reading Sleep or Swim?
Heat
After an up-and-down spring and a spotty early summer, Toronto’s now in full-blown heat mode. Weather-warning, too-hot-to-be-outside-without-feeling-a-little-nauseated heat. I used to love luxuriating under the sun. Being uncomfortably warm was my preferred state: I felt a certain affinity toward camels, salamanders, and, of course, the mighty kangaroo rat. I inwardly rolled my eyes when people … Continue reading Heat
MVP
I’m the first to admit that I’m pretty bad when it comes to remembering and remembering to care about my wedding anniversary. It’s inevitably around Canada Day—July 1—when it occurs to me that I got married the weekend between July 1 and July 4. Then comes the part where I try to remember whether the … Continue reading MVP
Let’s Get Physio, Physio
A few weeks ago, I started going to a physiotherapist around the corner from our apartment. I hadn’t had any physiotherapy since leaving the hospital, and I’d begun to decompensate while waiting for PT through homecare and/or an outpatient musculoskeletal rehabilitation program I’d been referred to. When it had become evident that I needed and … Continue reading Let’s Get Physio, Physio
Random Acts of Nerding
My husband returned to work on Thursday after a five-day weekend. He spent most of it recouping, running errands, and going to appointments of his own. On Tuesday, however, we took advantage of his weekday availability to venture out of our neighbourhood for the first non-medical-appointment time since I was discharged. We’ve devoted a lot … Continue reading Random Acts of Nerding
Growing
A feature of our new apartment that we’ve been appreciating more and more, especially as the weather’s turned for the better and we’ve developed cabin fever, is its balcony. When I first got home, I let the balcony become a symbol it didn’t need to be. My husband and my dad understandably hadn’t noticed while … Continue reading Growing
De Morbo Sacro: Life and/with Epilepsy 