Hello, ER. (I Hate You, Phenytoin.)

I guess I jinxed myself with my last post about getting out of my neighbourhood—or maybe the problem was that getting out of my neighbourhood was way too exciting for my brain to handle—because two weeks ago, I made another journey to the hospital. This one unplanned, in an ambulance, and while actively seizing. It’d … Continue reading Hello, ER. (I Hate You, Phenytoin.) →

A Dose of the Real World

I had an appointment with my epileptologist on Friday morning. Since he needed to check my VNS, an implanted device, I had to go to the hospital to see him. There happened to be fresh snow on the ground. I was admiring the pureness of it and pulling on my winter boots as I waited … Continue reading A Dose of the Real World →

A Blip Is (Just) a Blip

It's been a challenging few weeks. My dietitian and I have been experimenting with slowly ramping up the carbohydrates in my meal plan. It's all trial and error, really, this trying to find a balance between managing my seizures and working toward my weight-gain goals. The process is rewarding when I make tangible and relatively … Continue reading A Blip Is (Just) a Blip →

Stay at Home

Ontario's new COVID-19 restrictions were announced a few days ago. They can be summed up in three words: "Stay at home." (As is my habit, I'm oversimplifying matters. To get, as you should, the details about this province-wide state of emergency, click here.) Despite the measures that were already in place, the COVID-19 numbers in … Continue reading Stay at Home →

Welcome, New Year

I'm a little late, but Happy New Year! 2020, not a great year for ... anyone, really, is finally behind us. Let’s see what 2021 has in store. New year, new agenda. I’m not big on new year’s resolutions. I am big on trying to find productive ways to move forward and on setting realistic … Continue reading Welcome, New Year →

This Christmas

As I write this, it's 7:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, and I've been awake for hours. The stockings are filled, there's fresh snow on the ground, and I've already had a few cups of coffee. I'm trying to be quiet, but not too quiet because I want my husband to get up. Did I mention … Continue reading This Christmas →

Breakfast with Santa

When I was a kid, every year my dad lined up with tens of other hard-core parents on a predetermined morning sometime in November. The mission? Get tickets for a beloved event: the Breakfast with Santa that took place on the top floor of the downtown Eaton's in Victoria, British Columbia. For much of my … Continue reading Breakfast with Santa →

Early Christmasing for Fun and Sanity

For the last several years, I haven't even tried to stop myself from being that overly enthusiastic Christmas celebrator you probably try to ignore until December. My husband was a little wary when I announced a few Sundays ago that seeing as Halloween had passed, the holiday season had officially begun. "It's November 1," he … Continue reading Early Christmasing for Fun and Sanity →

Preparing to Hibernate

I’ve been taking advantage of the last nice days of fall, and of my raging metabolism, which has turned me into a sweaty monster who prefers much-lower temperatures than I’m generally able to stand, by spending as much time as I possibly can outside, most of it (socially distanced from other customers) on the patio … Continue reading Preparing to Hibernate →

Pretty Much the Best

It’s been just over a week since I came home, and I’m happy to report that I’m still here and that it’s still pretty much the best (and that I took down the stray Christmas decorations that my husband had left up since last year). Though I was feeling pretty darn good about leaving the … Continue reading Pretty Much the Best →