Seizures...

Well, day two and I'm going to blog again...a record so far!  And day two I'm going to reveal something about myself that many might not know and that I work very hard to keep secret.  Yeah, yesterday you all found out what I weigh...so what could be more mortifying that that??

I mentioned yesterday that I've had a rough few years.  It started with some unknown medical issues, and has kinda fallen apart from there.  Through the course of these unknown medical issues I have seen three neurologists, a rheumatologist, a naturopath, an allergist, an OBGYN, a couple nurse practitioners, a cardiologist, an endocrinologist, a therapist, and have had many long conversations with my daughters' pediatrician...and although I'm closer to getting answers than I was three years ago, I still suffer from unknown problems.  In the course of all of these doctor visits, I have been diagnosed with many things...some may be correct even!  But, the overall blanket diagnosis that everyone seems to think everything else falls under is seizures.  Yup...you read right.  I have been diagnosed with seizures.  And they're not the kind where I flop around on the ground and foam at the mouth.  I have two distinct difference kinds: One is like an absence seizure, where I could be talking to you and I'll just stare off for a bit.  Just wait for it to pass, I'll be back soon.  In fact, a friend of mine always welcomes me back after I've had one...so, feel free!  The other looks similar to a panic attack.  I get a feeling like I'm forgetting to do something and a feeling of impending doom.  My chest feels tight and my breathing gets shallow or rapid.  It usually lasts a few minutes and then I want to sleep...hard...I'm very difficult to wake after I've had one of these, and they don't happen as often as the absence ones, but they happen.  The kicker to these seizures?  They're non-epileptic seizures...What does THIS mean??  Well, I say that they're not real and everyone gets mad at me...because they are "real."  I'm having "real" seizures...they just don't cause changes in my brain patterns.  So, they're good ones to have.  I can have these seizures and they won't fry my brain or cause damage, which is good to know because God knows I need every brain cell possible.  So, if you are ever with me when I'm having a seizure, don't panic.  Stay calm, I'll go through it and be back...don't call 911, don't move me, don't worry!  Calling my friend Melody is on my protocol if you're with me and something happens because she knows what they look like and has seen me at my worst.  Her number's in my phone if you happen to be the lucky one it happens with...

So, this story leads to the tie in between my post yesterday and my activities for the day.  Washington State law dictates that anyone who has seizures cannot drive for a minimum of six months after the last seizure.  So, calculating when I'll be able to drive, considering I had a seizure a few days ago according to my beautiful five-year-old who keeps track of these things for me since I have no idea I'm having them most of the time, I'm looking at least July until I'll be on the road. Soooo frustrating!  Many of you know that I am on-the-go type of person.  Well, not anymore!  I'm at the mercy of generous people, good friends, and family to get me to and from work, appointments, and other places.  They drive my children everywhere, and help me run errands.  And I feel like a burden.  So, in an effort to become more independent, I started ordering my groceries online at safeway.com!  So slick!  I think that this is the best kept secret ever.  The delivery guys are so sweet, the drive up with the groceries, cart them to the door, and some of them even help carry them into the house.  I had one guy ask if I needed help putting them away!  (which I declined quickly...I'm a little weird about that kind of thing and need to do it all myself.) Our fridge is stocked with fruits and veggies, healthy meats, and low fat cheeses.  Our pantry contains ingredient for yummy, low point recipes from my cookbooks that I use in my menu planning, and there are meals that my kiddos can enjoy for lunch or dinner if they're not liking something that I'm cooking.

For my sake so I can go back and look, and so you all have an idea of how I'm eating, I'm going to post my menus at the end of my blog posts for the day.  Thanks for reading!

Breakfast: Bagel Dog with mustard (this was literally that LAST food item I had available in the house and our groceries did not arrive until noon.  But, this is the beauty of WeightWatchers...you can eat whatever you want, so I can have a bagel dog for breakfast and still stay on program!)

Lunch: A giant bowl of broccoli and cauliflower, two oranges, some celery, and some carrots

Dinner: Baked steak fries, chicken breast nuggets on a whole wheat sandwich roll with miracle whip and 2% cheese

Dessert: A dark chocolate magnum bar (10 points, but sometimes it's worth it! and I had 10 points left exactly...so YUM!)

So, yesterday's post of losing weight and good health led to a GREAT first day counting points and staying on program! 

Let me know if you have any questions about WeightWatchers...or about seizures...