Just Another Headless Bridesmaid Portrait: A Weekend Visit from a (Very Supportive) Friend

When my friend arrived for the weekend this past Friday night, he asked, half-jokingly, if I was going to blog about his visit. "Do you want me to blog about your visit?" I asked. He shrugged noncommittally. I said that I would but that since my blog is semi-anonymous, any and all pictures would have to be … Continue reading Just Another Headless Bridesmaid Portrait: A Weekend Visit from a (Very Supportive) Friend →

Why Hello There, Old Frenemy: Topamax Returns

Just when I thought I’d broken up with Topamax, it’s weaseled its way back into my life. For good reason, I guess: seems that it was making more of a difference than I thought it was. Turns out that when your baseline is “seizures all the time,” it’s possible for a drug to lower this … Continue reading Why Hello There, Old Frenemy: Topamax Returns →

Kitchen-Floor Crisis: A Visit to the ER

Last night, my husband found me unconscious on our kitchen floor. When I didn't become reactive in a timely manner, he called 911. A dramatic opening for a blog post, I know, but it's the simple truth, and epilepsy is a drama queen of a chronic illness when it wants to be. I won't … Continue reading Kitchen-Floor Crisis: A Visit to the ER →

Beach Life

On Saturday, we went to Toronto Island with friends for a fun summer afternoon break from the city because even when times are tough, we're the kind of people who're able to leave our troubles behind and enjoy the respite of beach life for a few hours *foreshadowing*. I should begin by stating that I'm … Continue reading Beach Life →

It’s Like Saying Goodbye to a Horrible, Clingy Friend: I’m Finally Breaking Up with Topamax

I had an appointment with my epileptologist yesterday that was significant in two regards. In fact, I left feeling much better than I had walking in, which isn't always the case. (Please note that the fact that I often sit in the streetcar dejected and downtrodden after discussing the misworkings of my brain is not … Continue reading It’s Like Saying Goodbye to a Horrible, Clingy Friend: I’m Finally Breaking Up with Topamax →

A Surgical Detour to Surgery

Another detour in my quest to go more than five days without my neurons misfiring. I haven't written an update since my appointment with the neurosurgeon on Friday, in part because I'm still a little stunned and upset and in part because my husband and I were out of town for the weekend, leaving me … Continue reading A Surgical Detour to Surgery →

Cutting It Out(!): An Important Update

While having coffee with a friend yesterday morning, I missed a call from an unlisted number, which often, as I commented to said friend when I looked down at my phone, means a hospital. No voicemail. Grrrrrr. Coffee Friend and I had just been discussing how I've been eagerly—well, maybe "with a complicated mix of … Continue reading Cutting It Out(!): An Important Update →

Purple Walking

I seem to recall writing an overly emotional post about the Purple Walk for Epilepsy last year, and I'm about to unashamedly allow history to repeat itself. For everyone's benefit, I'll keep it short. What it comes down to is this: since living with chronic illness can be isolating, and since seizures can be stigmatizing, … Continue reading Purple Walking →

Dr. Me, PhD: And with That, I’m Officially a Doctor

Last Tuesday, I woke up early, put on more makeup than usual, obsessed over my hair for a bit, went to campus in a cab with the 'rents, donned a very-impressive robe, nervously waited around for a while, and was transformed from not-yet-officially-a-doctor to officially-truly-a-doctor in a tradition-filled ceremony attended by some of the people … Continue reading Dr. Me, PhD: And with That, I’m Officially a Doctor →

Putzing around England: Penultimate Trip Update

My last post was admittedly a bit of a downer, despite my attempt—which may or may not have been evident—to put a positive spin on my tooth's decision to become infected in the middle of my break from my everyday reality (teeth have tiny brains with the ability to perform such executive functions, right?). But … Continue reading Putzing around England: Penultimate Trip Update →