Last weekend Evan had a seizure and it was clear that he had an aura (feeling indicating a seizure was coming) prior to the seizure. We were playing outside and he told me he was having a seizure. He didn't look like he was having one so I asked him to come over to me--he walked normally with no obvious seizure occurring. I picked him up and sat down with him on my lap and 10 seconds after he told me he was having a seizure, it began.
The seizure itself was pretty typical for Evan. He shook on the left side, had a goofy smile, never lost consciousness and was able to talk during it.
As soon as I picked him up, Aria said she needed to go into the house to get something and she was off. In no time she was back, wearing her watch--a craft kit Claire sent her to do while Evan was in the hospital last month. As soon as she reached Evan and I, she looked at her watch and asked me if his seizure was over. When I told her it was, she looked at her watch again and asked me how long it lasted. I told her it was a minute and 15 seconds. "Ok" she said with one more glace at her watch and then she was back to playing and Evan hopped off my lap and joined her.
I found myself fighting back tears. A 2 1/2 year old shouldn't know what a seizure is and a 4 1/2 year old shouldn't know you have to time a seizure. Neither of them were moved by this exchange--it's normal for them.
3 comments:
I've been meaning to comment since I read this, but I was on James's computer and couldn't remember my log-in.
My first thought, none of you should have to be going through this. And yet, if those two kids were going to share this challenge, they couldn't have a better pair of parents to show them how to do it. I really admire you guys! You're doing a great job, both with all the medical stuff, and with keeping life as normal as possible. Aria is spectacular! Intelligent, creative, sensitive, she's such a delight to know and love. I'm not the least bit surprised that she takes the timing as routine. She is observant, and she loves her little brother! You're doing a great job keeping her from getting lost in all this.
Evan is a delight. I'm thrilled that, since he does live with this challenge, he is able to recognize he's having a seizure, find comfort in his mother's loving arms while it's going on, and then hop back down and get back into life. You've done a great job keeping his life as normal as possible, not turning him into a coddled victim.
I'll add, Mom and Dad shouldn't have to track their kids seizures and collect a who's who of doctors. You should only be counting their smiles and collecting funny stories to embarrass them with as teenagers. I'm glad that you are doing those things also, and that you have such a wealth in the relationships you've built through the years. I do so appreciate the friends in your ohana coming forward, especially since I don't have the time to drop everything and make things better for you. (It's a big sister thing. Just ask Aria.)
Love you all so very much!
Mary,
Thank you for your comment--even though you made me cry at work!! I wish we weren't all learning about this stuff, but we are also so fortunate not to have bigger disabilities or more severe seizures--I just wish Evan wouldn't make up for that in quantity of seizures!
You are right, they are both amazing kids and we are truely blessed.
Seems only fair that you cried as you read it. I often do the same when I read your posts, and I was even wiping tears as I wrote this one. I love you guys so much! I'm so very glad you all are in my life. I admire the way you and my brother are raising your wonderful kids. I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of all of your lives, and to share your kids.
Love to all of you!
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