Epilepsy Awareness Carter's Journey

I'm not a writer. I don't edit my posts. Still, this story needed to be written. One day I will expand the words and include more stories, but for now... this is the end. I can't remember the exact date, but I can remember everything about the events of that life altering day. I was so obsessed with my weight. I would go to the gym daily. Carter and Chase would play in the child care. They loved the bright colors, the movies playing, and a wide variety of imaginative toys. They also loved the attention they got from the staff. Chase was so tiny and cute, while Carter was my little linebacker. I had just put Chase down and Carter was hanging on my leg as I signed them in. I was in a hurry, my class would be starting soon. If you didn't get in there early you wouldn't get a good spot. Carter didn't want to stay. I knelt down to give my little buddy and quick hug and a kiss. That is when I noticed his face twitching. Then the saliva began to flow. "Carter, are you okay?" He was standing there, eyes glossed over, drool flowing from his mouth like a waterfall, trying to speak. I was a little shocked. He was standing and trying to communicate, but clearly there was something wrong. What was this weird behavior? Then as quickly as it began it stopped. His eyes were clear, and he didn't even act as if anything had happened. The only lasting effect, a headache. My first reaction, I called his dad, he was in Chiropractic school, close enough to a Doctor. He was also the only person who loves the little boy as much as me. He didn't answer. What was wrong with him. I scooped Carter into my arms, my firstborn, my love, and my life. Then the word came to me, seizure...stroke...no, seizure. I wasn't positive because his entire body wasn't shaking. Then the phone rang. It was DAD! "I think Carter just had a seizure, he face was twitching and he was drooling, and he wasn't in control of his body," I said, "and then it was all over, I'm taking him to urgent care." I can't remember what the urgent care doctor said. I can't remember how long it was before Carter would be tested or when we saw the neurologist. I do however remember how that first seizure changed our lives forever. Carter is lucky! His first seizure occured when he was 3. His second when he was 4. His third when he was 4. Then when he turned five he had a few more in that year. Still we didn't medicate him. The side effects of the seizures didn't outweigh the side effects of the medications. His neurologist told me to track his seizures, but unless they were much more frequent and longer that I dind't need to bring him in every time. I took the advise, kind of. Carter didn't see another Neurologist until October of 2012 When Carter turned 5 his seizure slowly became more frequent and longer, but still no longer than 5 minutes. He has always stayed aware of his surrounding. He would even come to me when he was having a seizure. Just about the time I would make him an appointment he would stop having seizures. In June of 2012 Carter had his most severe seizure. It was then I decided that we had to take him in again. It took awhile to find a neurologist, get the means, and an appointment. I was afraid the neurologist would say I had been a horrible mother for not bringing him in more often, and for going so long in between appointments, but it was exactly opposite. She felt I had done just what I should have. She did however want to medicate him. Daniel did not. I did. Carter did not. I agreed not to medicate him until we had reached a decision together. I talked to Carter about what medicating him could do for him. I talked to Daniel about the decision. I prayed about it. My son is smart. I wanted the decision to be his, but I wanted to have peace with his decision. We decided not to medicate him. Carter has not had another seizure since June of 2012. I would love to say he will never have another one. I hope he doesn't, but he could. He hasn't yet. One day we may medicate him if he needs it, but right now his body is figuring it out. His doctors have said they hope he will grow out of it. I hope they are right. I trust my son. I have faith in my husband. I know God will not lead us astray. I pray this is how Carter's story ends.

I haven't posted in...awhile. I'm kind of over the whole blog thing, but I wanted to post a picture and see if anyone even checks the blog anymore...or if anyone will comment.