Epilepsy: Stephanies Story

Epilepsy:
Stephanies Story
Kaylee Neubacher
Samford University

Epilepsy: Stephanies Story

2
Abstract

Stephanie was 13 years old when she was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Epilepsy is a condition that
causes the brain to become overloaded with activity and results in seizures. These seizures are
known as grand mal seizures. Grand mal seizures effect the entire brain and consequently the
body. When Stephanie has a seizure, her body convulses, arms and hands clench, her face
twitches, and she loses her bowels. Today, Stephanie still has her concerns about her Epilepsy.
However, Stephanie has learned to live with her Epilepsy and is fortunate to have a great support
system.
Keywords: Epilepsy, seizures

Epilepsy: Stephanies Story

Stephanie was 13 years old she was on vacation visiting her aunt. One evening, she felt
terrible; she was congested and had a head ache. Believing it was allergies, her aunt gave her an
antihistamine and sent her to bed. When her aunt checked on her about an hour later, she found
Stephanie shaking, with her arms and hands clenched, and eyes and mouth open and twitching.
Alarmed, Stephanies aunt called 911. In this event, Stephanie did not feel anything. Its almost
as if she blacked out. The only thing she remember is waking up to the paramedics hunched
over her. Stephanie says she was scared and confused because she did not know why the
paramedics were there. She also recalls feeling extremely tired and her muscles aching, as she
described it, It felt as if I had just ran a marathon.
Stephanie was taken to the hospital, where the doctor examined her. They determined that
Stephanie had an allergic reaction to the Antihistamines and heat stroke. When Stephanies aunt
called Stephanies parents, they were obviously concerned. Her parents decided to cut her
vacation short and flew her back home. When Stephanie arrived home, the first thing her parents
did was take her to the family doctor. They wanted to make sure that their daughter was okay.
When hearing about Stephanies episode, the family doctor gave her an MRI and a blood
test. From the test results, the doctor determined that Stephanie had Epilepsy. Her parents and
she were upset and scared when they were first made aware of Stephanies condition. Stephanie
said, I didnt know what to think. All I knew was I was afraid. My parents and I didnt even
know that epilepsy existed before the doctor diagnosed me with it. The first question Stephanie
and her parents had was, What caused Stephanies Epilepsy? The doctor told them that it was
likely caused by a concussion. He asked them if there was any event that may have caused
Stephanie to get a concussion. Her parents told the doctor that she had an incident months earlier

Epilepsy: Stephanies Story

where Stephanie hit her head falling off of a four-wheeler. They thought she was fine. But as the
doctor told them, she probably had a concussion which caused the Epilepsy.
Next, the doctor supplied Stephanie and her parents with information concerning
Epilepsy. The doctor told them that Epilepsy was a condition that caused seizures, specifically
grand mal seizures, He said that the brain basically becomes overloaded with activity, which
causes seizures. This causes the person to lose control of their body; their body shakes
uncontrollably, arms and hands usually clench, face twitches, and they lose control of their
bowels. Finally, the doctor told Stephanie and her parents that Epileptic seizures last for around
one minute. Also, if a seizure lasts longer than five minutes, call 911. This information answered
many questions, but Stephanie and her parents were still concerned and afraid.
Next, the doctor gave Stephanies parents directions on what do when Stephanie has a
seizure. Stephanie recounts that, he told my parents to make sure that I was on a flat surface,
with something soft under my head. Also, to lay me on my side so I can breathe better. The
main thing was that there were no obstructions to prevent Stephanie from breathing. Along with
the directions, Stephanies doctor gave her medicine to help control the seizures. Stephanie and
her parents were still scared and worried, but put somewhat to ease knowing that her seizures
could be controlled. Then, he gave Stephanie a medical alert bracelet. This bracelet was to be
worn at all times and identified her as an epileptic.
When Stephanie returned to school, her parents had to make them aware of her Epilepsy.
Her parents gave the school the same directions the doctor gave them. This ensured Stephanies
safety in case she had a seizure during school. This became Stephanies biggest fear, I
remember being so scared and embarrassed. I was in constant fear that I would have a seizure in
class. I couldnt help but think, what will my classmates think when I am shaking

Epilepsy: Stephanies Story

uncontrollably? When Stephanie did have a seizure during class, it was her freshman year.
Thankfully, her teachers knew how to handle her in her venerable situation. Also, Stephanies
friends were nothing but concerned for her well-being, My classmates and friends who
witnessed the seizure were scared. When I finally explained that I had Epilepsy and what it was,
they were understanding. I felt relieved. I thought that they wouldnt be as understanding and
would make fun of me, but thankfully the opposite was true.
Now, in Stephanies adult life, she has been living with her condition for over 25 years.
She never knows when shell have a seizure. The only thing she can do to control her Epilepsy is
to take medicine. Unfortunately, the medicine stops most of the seizures from happening, but not
all. When the seizures do happen, Stephanies husband is there to help her, he is my hero. He
takes care of me when I do have a seizure. Along with her husband, Stephanie has been blessed
with two children. She said that she was concerned about scaring her kids, I knew that they
probably would not understand what was happening when I did have a seizure, and would only
understand that their mom was hurt. When they were old enough to understand fully, their dad
and I sat them down and explained what Epilepsy was and that I had it. Mostly, we tried to calm
their fears. Now, even though they are still worried, they understand what happens when I have a
seizure.
The fear has always been a part of Stephanie since she was diagnosed with Epilepsy, I
am constantly in fear of having a seizure at the wrong timethough there isnt a right time to
have one. By this I mean in situations such as driving, or while Im in the bath. These are
situations, where I could easily harm myself or others. Her biggest fear is having a seizure while
driving, I cant imagine anything worse than having a seizure while driving and losing control
of a vehicle, causing an accident, and seriously harming myself and others in the process.

Epilepsy: Stephanies Story

Today Stephanie has learned to live with her Epilepsy. She has accepted that it is a part of
who she is. While she still has her concerns and fears, she is comforted because she has a strong
support system. She says, I think that having a family that understands Epilepsy and takes care
of me when I am having a seizure is the most important thing in my life. Without their support, I
am not sure where I would be. Further, having Epilepsy has not stopped Stephanie from having
a life, I could have let all of my fears about my Epilepsy paralyze me. I could have become
depressed. But, I didnt. I have accepted that Epilepsy is something that will always be a part of
me and it is something that I cant really control (S. , Personal Interview, September 26, 2015) .

Epilepsy: Stephanies Story

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References

S. (2015, September 26). Personal Interview.