After the first seizure we were all hopeful that it was a one time episode. I always feared a second, or third but was grateful for those days I had without more. I would never have thought that this many years later I would be struggling to remember how many exactly there were, and looking back through my piles of hospital forms, CD’s and discharge papers to pin point dates. I suppose I should be glad that I can identify them so easily, count them on one hand and not losing track because of the overwhelming number of them. That I am.
The most memorable (aside from #1 because of sheer shock value) was 02/19/2011. Mauricio and I were finally getting away! A much needed vacation after quick some time seizure free. Life felt like it was back to normal and heading down the right path. We planned a long weekend up to Chicago to visit with Natalie that was at Purdue finishing up vet school residency. Nat and her friend drove over from Indy to meet us as the Westin on the river (awesome hotel perks thanks to Mauricio’s dad). We had an eventful morning trying to get out of Miami International Airport and into Chicago which included 1 missed flight, 2 standby seats on the next flight, a hunt at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport for our luggage, figuring out how the heck to get a train to downtown, asking some random stranger on the street how to find our hotel and freezing our butts off to get settled. Phew. Once settled we were able to do some nice site seeing and more freezing from the observatory deck which made for awesome pictures at night.
The next day was smoother, started with chocolate churros (OMG DELISH) at XOCO, crazy good burgers at Kuma’s and lots more site seeing (which worked out for me as a photo-holic). Natalie finally got there in time for a late night dinner and drink (yes single and not the strong vacation kind) then call it a night for the early start the next day. We did the typical museum row tours and went to meet the T-Rex (because who would hear Natalie if we didn’t) then went for some famous deep dish. The place was packed and wait was long but oh so worth it! Lou Malnati’s yum!!
Everyone was ready to call it a night but Tabitha Tumor and my seizure’s had a very different plan. Instead of relaxing they making lovely memories with my honey they basically gave us both PTSD. Once again, a scary visit from paramedics, bloody sheets (from biting my tongue), memory loss, being escorted through hidden elevators and secret hallways in the hotel (which was actually pretty cool) to the hospital. At this point, Natalie had called my neurologist in Miami (ON HIS CELLPHONE — which he answered — as if I wasn’t embarrassed enough!) to get instructions. We made a quick ER visit to get the all clear then cabbed it back to the hotel (which treated us AMAZINGLY!! Thank you thank you thank you to Sean Broderick, security and Debi Quigle, front desk for taking care of our beautiful room and morning after craziness) for some much needed sleep. However, I doubt Mauricio got much sleep after the last attempt at that.
The next day was rough. Tired, cold PLUS a sore cut up tongue was NOT fun. Definitely put a damper on the day but gives us a reason to plan a Chicago Part II trip in the future to really finish what we started there! Can’t wait to go back!
Luckily (and baffling) all the MRI and follow up imaging when we returned showed NO CHANGE to Tabitha Tumor. Minor increase to anti-seizure meds and more follow up continued as true diagnosis evaded us. The plan to monitor closely and treat as seizures needed continued to be our best option.
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