First off- lessons learned! Translation: Let's try and make something positive out of this experience- AKA- This is also my job- AKA PLAN FOR EMERGENCIES BETTER, CLARISSA. And other people. But primarily me, since I'm the Family & Consumer Sciences Agent.
Ok, back on track now. This post is a "Making lemonade out of lemons" post.
Did you read "Remix week"? If not, you may want to hit pause and catch up or just be a semi-confused rebel and continue reading anyway. Your choice. So yeah, Lindsay Payer and the others at the meeting were kiiiinda freaking out when they couldn't contact my family, answer questions about my medical history, tell the EMT's what prescriptions I was taking, et cetera. Hmm, kind of important information for EMT's to know. "Can I give penicillin?" "Can I wear latex gloves?" "The patient may be allergic... better not." If I had needed CPR but had a DNR order, they would have been going against my wishes essentially. I mean, I was 25 years old at the time and had no health issues. I was perfectly healthy and no one had any reason to suspect that I would suddenly become unresponsive for over 30 minutes. How do you anticipate something like this? That's just it. YOU DON'T. You can't! "Prepare for the worst and hope for the best" is a phrase that comes to mind. Overprepare and pray that you don't need any of this information.
Any guesses as to what the first thing we did in the office when I got back on Tuesday after my hospital stay/Labor Day? Well first, we talked about everything that happened at that crazy board meeting! But, the second thing we did was fill out participation forms (with emergency contact info, health conditions, et cetera) and put them in a clearly labeled box in Darl's office. Yay for emergency preparedness!
Last time I left you with the nurse telling me my fate of being unable to drive for six months. That’s a pretty big lifestyle change when you’re an adult who doesn’t live in a big city and rely on public transportation anyway. The big blessing in this is that I live less than a block from my place of work so my commute isn’t anything to worry about.
As for the grocery store, bank and all of those other errands around town I will have to either walk or rely on others to get me there. <Sigh>
In my job as an extension agent, I do many programs in the surrounding communities within Coffey County. In fact, the next month I’m partnering with a few other agencies to do a four-week series on “Eat Well” based on the “Good and Cheap” cookbook inspiring others to live on meals for less than $4 a day. In order for me to continue these programs, I will have to be sure and arrange a ride with someone else who is partnering with us on this program; or call to schedule rides in advance with Coffey County Transportation. However, it took me a couple of weeks after this seizure to get back to work full-time and then to really come to terms about finding rides. Therefore, I would rely on our office professional Lauren a lot to get me around. She was very gracious about it and I’m extremely thankful.
A day or two later, Matt and I were sitting in a patient room at the doctor's office waiting for Dr. Sides to come in for the follow-up I scheduled with my primary care physician. A nurse had told us that a med student would do the initial visit with us before Dr. Sides came in and I said it was ok. I was sitting atop the crinkly paper-covered patient table visiting with Matt when came the knock on the door and who steps in the room but Adam, the tall and *hella gorgeous* guy from my drama therapy class in college. I'm stunned. I, being the lovesick nerd that I am, remember exactly who he is. He, on the other hand, does not remember me.
"Oh, hey. You look familiar, do I know you from somewhere?" he says, totally cool and collected. "YEAH! We took drama therapy together in college!" I say, then I immediately think; "Dang it, Clarissa! Why did you have to out yourself for remembering him right away?! BE COOL."
“Man, is it getting warm in here?” I begin to fidget in on my crinkly papered seat uncomfortably. And probably blush, push my hair behind my ear , that sort of thing. “Cool, right, totally cool.”
Adam starts talking to me. Eek! We go through the usual pleasantries, how have you been’s, blah blah blah. And I introduce him to my *very serious boyfriend* Matt. We talk a little bit about the seizure and my medical history before hottie-er-Adam- goes back into the hallway to talk with Dr. Sides.
“How do you know him again?” Matt asks. I repeat the story.
Matt: “That’s random.” He responds.
Me: “I know right?! How exciting!”
Matt: “Uhh, not really but ok…. Why are you acting so weird?”
Me: “What? Not acting weird.” ….. “Ok, I may have had a huge crush on that guy in college.”
Matt: “Ahh.”
Me: “Totally over it though! and besides I looove youuu!” (batting my eyes at him)
Dr. Sides and Adam come back in. I repeat the story of the evening’s events, including the timing of the seizure and all that good stuff. I also emphasize the factors that led me to believe this grand mal seizure was the perfect storm of several factors. Dr. Sides is surprised and concerned, but takes it all in. He asks which neurologist I saw in the hospital (Dr. Huang) and how I liked him. I looked at Matt, shrugged, and said something to the effect of he wasn’t super helpful but he was ok. Dr. Sides gives a recommendation on a different neurologist in Topeka, Dr. Welch.
Then, we talk about anti-seizure medications. I really like Dr. Sides because he’s very open to doing what the patient wants and giving his patients options. normally with a first seizure, it is up to the patient whether she wants to go on medication or not. Dr. Sides is concerned about this, but still leaves it up to me.
Have I mentioned before that I have denial about this issue? Yeah, that may have been happening here. I kept repeating myself. “I’m fine! It was just the stress, the fatigue, the time of the month and everything all at once. It was a one time thing.” Anyone ever seen that episode of FRIENDS called “The One Where Ross is Fine?”?! If not, you are missing out. It’s the best, most hilarious episode of television ever. I’ll include a clip below so you’ll know what I’m talking about and why it’s relevant to this post.
This is also how I will typically respond to people for the next few months when they ask how I'm doing. Just a fun fact for ya. A little defensive, a little "No big deal!", and a whole lotta denial. Poor sweet, Clarissa. If you only knew it was not a one time deal.
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