It Heals - Day #1 WEGO National Health Blog Month

WEGO National Health Blog Month

Day #1 Nov. 1 - Why I Write About My Health

If you enjoy my blogs and articles, please nominate me! Only takes a second! CLICK HERE TO NOMINATE ME!!! #HAAwards #NHBPM





Heart

[hahrt]
noun

Definition: Something that many doctors - including their so-called answers - often lack.

"Mandy, why do you write about your health?"

"Good question," I think, as I rub my stomach. Tonight was Halloween and I indulged a little too much on candies. Put my body into shock after the last two months of strict dieting. I don't think my body knew what to do as it was re-introduced to Snickers bars and just went into full-on shock.

Back to the topic (I tend to lose track easily - sorry!). Well, back when I was struggling to find answers, I truly wished that someone out there was a blogger like myself. I searched the internet daily for a girl out there somewhere (anywhere) my age, going through the same things, who wrote blogs that had answers... But mostly blogs that had heart. Sadly, I didn't come across one that had the heart I was looking for. Yes, I found several. And don't get me wrong - they were fantastic. But I found no blogs that spoke to the younger crowd just as well as the older crowd. After all, I was only 16 when I was diagnosed.

When I write, I write about things that I know others probably want to hear. Epilepsy is a disorder (part of me wonders if it should just be called a disease - it definitely feels like one. Does anyone else wonder if people would take Epilepsy more seriously if it was called a disease?) that currently has NO cure. There are so many types of Epilepsy, seizures, and syndromes involved with Epilepsy that our world needs hundreds of cures. Just as a child goes door-to-door on a mission to fill their pillowcase with as many candies as possible, we are searching for as many cures as we can get our hands on. But we are also on the lookout for answers, and often our answers are as simple as "I understand - that happens to me too".

Have you ever noticed how a child will cry until their mother kisses their "boo-boo"? (Even if it is an invisible one, or doesn't truly hurt at all) And when their mommy finally kisses this "boo-boo", th child suddenly stops crying with only one kiss. What this tells me is that stress can be relieved when you have another person to confide in, or a person to comfort you in your time of need. Unfortunately, I cannot be there for every single person who reads my blog posts individually and personally, but I hope to reach as many people as possible and offer some sort of comfort when they read my articles. The kind of comfort and support that makes someone yell "Honey, come read this! This girl has the same problem you do!".

Truthfully, I am still looking for answers myself. I am still struggling with seizures every single day of my life. I never found that magic pill, or outgrew my Epilepsy. I still look to the sky every now and then and ask God "How much longer do I have to go on living this way?"  I still pound my fist against the table when I missed out on a great night with friends because they were out too late, or had to skip out on the haunted house today because of the strobe lights. I am scheduled for brain surgery in January - only two months away... About 60 days. I am scared out of my mind, just like every other person suffering with seizures. Therefore, blogging offers a stress-relieving benefit to me as well.

This is why I also encourage many others to be their own advocate and talk about Epilepsy. Not only can you help others by educating the world and getting the word out - but you can also improve your quality of life by relieving your stress of feeling alone. You can connect with others just like yourself all around the globe, and even in your own area. You can learn new things, talk about your personal issues, learn how others cope, and help others cope. God gave us brains and mouths for a reason, right? (And fingers... to type!!!)

Every time a fan sends me mail, comments on one of the Facebook fan pages, or leaves a comment on a blog, I feel less alone. I know that there's just ONE more person who is feeling how I feel. I become less alone every few hours as these comments and messages come in. And boy - the pictures! Seeing the faces of others who feel the way I do is even better. Not to mention that I can see the faces of those who I have helped.

I'm probably going on forever, so I will give you a short answer that hopefully sums it all up:

It heals.

It heals my hurt to talk about my struggles. It heals those who feel alone. It heals those in need of answers. It heals those who feel mistreated.

I blog to empower, uplift, and help others overcome the hole that Epilepsy can't seem to stop digging for our community. And although many of us have not found our cure for the seizures, we can find the cure for our broken hearts and minds. Blogging is my form of helping myself and others heal.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy November, my loves!!! Epilepsy Awareness Month is finally here - so wear your purple and remember you can NEVER wear enough of it! Nail polish, t-shirts, pants, socks, and even hair dye! Let's make a difference!!!

ALSO - check out the fan pages for tons of cool stuff this month!!! This includes giveaways, cool facts to share with friends, fun Facebook gear to show your advocacy and/or support for others, and much, much more!!!

 

EpilepsyBlogger Fan Page

(EVERYTHING EPILEPSY!)

Epilepsy, A Love Story

(For mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles,

grandmas, grandpas, nieces, nephews, step-fathers, step-mothers,

daughters, sons, step-daughters, step-sons, friends, best friends,

wives, husbands, couples, and so on! Even singles!!!)

 

EpilepsyBlogger's Words of Hope for Epilepsy

(Hopeful words, videos, music, and more to brighten up your day!)

 

 

Epilepsy Support Group on Facebook

Loved ones of those with Epilepsy also welcomed.

Topics posted each week by Mandy (EpilepsyBlogger).

All ages!

God bless,
Mandy Krzywonski
(EpilepsyBlogger)

Staying Positive with Epilepsy + Positive Pin Giveaway

This blog was inspired by a special girl that I've come across named Amanda. Hope you enjoy it!

Having Epilepsy is NOT easy, no matter what way you look at it. But no one said that a person should be negative because they have Epilepsy. It has been PROVEN that positive thinking can help you manage stress (which is one of the worst triggers for a seizure) and improve your overall health. Please click here to visit Positive Pin's "Science" page, explaining how positive thinking can help you improve your life. 

It's important to stay positive with Epilepsy because:

- Negativity adds to stress.

- Stress triggers seizures.

- Seizures are dangerous and harmful to you.

Not to mention:

- Negativity and stress affects your attitude.

- A bad attitude is apparent to others in the way you speak, your actions, and your facial expressions.

- Stress can cause other health problems aside from seizures. And as people with Epilepsy, that is the last thing we need!

How can YOU stay positive?

A few easy and fun things you can do to help yourself stay positive are:

1. Leave yourself notes. Get a pack of sticky notes (Purple ones!) and write positive things about yourself on each one. Leave them around your home to remind you how special you really are when you need it most.

2. Do something good for others. Doing good for others can make you feel better about yourself. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, offer to do some sort of paid task for free, visit regularly at an old folks home, or DO ONE OF THESE GOOD DEEDS TODAY.

3. Go out to a craft store. Buy a wine glass, and some pretty colored stones. Using a permanent marker or glass paint, write "Half Full" near the top in large letters. Fill the cup with one colored stone each time you have something positive happen to you in your life - even if it is small - and keep it on your desk, dresser, or wherever you'd like. Use this glass as a reminder that although you may be having a bad day, you still have so many blessings in your life.

4. When people ask about your health, speak as positively as possible. Instead of saying "Gosh, I feel terrible. I've had so many seizures this week and I just can't take it anymore." say "I haven't felt that well, but I'm glad that I know my seizures will calm down soon after I rest a little bit. How are you?" By doing this, you've managed to let your friends know that you aren't feeling well without adding negativity to your statement. 

Everyone should acknowledge a few things about their Epilepsy and never cease to forget these facts:

1. You are beautiful just the way you are.

2. Epilepsy does not define yourself as a person.

3. You have the power to make the most of your life. You have to choose whether to use that power or not.

4. We must never give up hope for finding a cure. Hope is what keeps us going.

5. Although we should never give up hope for a cure, we should focus more on improving the quality of our lives with Epilepsy.  See THIS POST for a good example. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Positive Pin Giveaway!!!

To start, complete each mandatory entry. If you are unable to complete all mandatory entries, you will not be able to unlock the other 50+ ENTRIES for EXTRA POINTS! People with the most points win the Positive Pins, so it's important to do as many as you can! You can enter each day until April 30th! Tasks are checked over daily. If you do not fully complete each task, or "fake" an entry, it will be deleted. So please give valid entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"The Positive Pin idea came to me one day when I needed a boost of positivity. I wanted something that I could look at that would remind me of how fortunate I am. I made a vow that when I wear my pin (which is everyday) I would not forget to be thankful for all of the things in my life and to think and talk positively. I hope you will do the same and not just treat this as a piece of jewelry, but as a life altering symbol.
-Jonathan de la Garza" 

Click here to read Positive Pin testimonials and see how thinking positive has helped others.

I want to personally thank Jonathan for his gracious support of my blog and everything I do. Therefore, I'd like to give away one of these lavender colored (for Epilepsy) Positive Pins to 3 lucky people. They are magnetic (very strong, will not fall off) and you can put them on a hat, shirt, tie, or anything you'd like! Every time you see your pin, try and think a positive thought about whatever situation you may be in. If you're not in a "situation," just think about something positive anyway. I have a pin myself that I purchased a while back, and I can't tell you what sort of difference it has made in my life. It really reminds you to stop and see the good in your life. Thank you Jon!

Good luck to all who enter. If you don't win a pin, don't worry! There's 17 more of them up for grabs in future contests and my upcoming webinar that is scheduled in May! Stay tuned for the blog for more information on the webinar and how to attend.

A Few of My Favorite Things... Part 2

Hey guys, here is part 2 of the blog post that you wanted! I know that the last few blogs haven't said much about my seizures and that's because nothing NEW is happening... I'm actually hoping nothing too new happens because that would be bad. I will post more along with my next blog, but for now, here is part 2!

12.


S Factor Papaya Leave-In Moisture Spray: As I mentioned earlier, the S Factor hair care line by TIGI is really amazing if you're willing to spend the money. This is one of the individual products that you might like to add on to your regular hair care routine. You can buy this anywhere from $18 - 20.

13.


Secret Scent Expressions Clear Gel Deodorant: Normally I never use clear gel deodorant because it has the tendency to dry more slowly and come off easily compared to regular deodorant sticks. However, I bought myself some of this Secret Scent Expressions and I fell in love with it from the start. I bought "Cherry Mischief" but it also comes in Fabulously Floral, Oh-La-La Lavender, Va Va Vanilla, Totally Tropical and Pretty N' Peach. It doesn't stain or leave and residue on your clothes and it's perfect for those dark colored shirts and black little dresses! It doesn't have a thick scent but the smell stays great and it lasts all day! It sells for about $4.00 at most stores.

13.


Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum: This is your dream if you have an uneven skin tone, wrinkles, lines, etc. I put it on at night after cleaning my face. It has a great scent and it goes on smoothly. After a few uses your skin feels amazing. If you have an acne problem be sure to wash your face well before use because it does contain a small, small amount of oil. This serum also contains some of the same amino acids that are used to get rid of crows feet and to smooth wrinkles. I recommend this for those who are worried about aging skin, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, or to those who just wish to preserve the look of their skin. I bought this for about $15.00 at my local grocery store.

14.


Nair Silky Sensations Hair Remover (Pomegranate and Soy): I have to be honest with all of you, I have never liked using Nair hair remover or hair remover in general. I have very sensitive skin and even the "most sensitive" hair remover products have literally made my skin bleed... so buying this to review it made me cringe at the thought of having to use it when I got home! I am happy to say that this hair remover was surprisingly gentle. It took all my hair off, no problem, and my legs are free of any burns! And there was no bleeding whatsoever. Unlike many hair removers, this product has a great scent and goes on very creamy instead of drying up. It is mixed with a moisturizer (as you can see from the swirls inside the bottle) and it left my legs looking and feeling great after the very first use. You can use it all over the body as well! I bought this for only $7.00 - what a steal!

15.


American Health Papaya Enzyme Supplement with Chlorophyll: I have often had troubles with digestion thus leading to that sickening taste and breath that accompanies those problems. By taking this after-meal supplement you aid your digestion with the enzymes while also sweetening your breath! I keep it in my purse everywhere I go and I think you should try it! The exact price I bought this for was $6.82 at Walgreen's, but prices do vary. ***I have tried other brands and none of them have worked as well as the American Health***

16.


Skintimate Moisturizing Cream Shave (for dry or sensitive skin): If any of you out there are like me, you often get very dry skin from shaving and sometimes even a bit of bleeding caused by razor burn. I gave up using shaving cream altogether about a year ago because the ones I used either didn't work or they were too dry for me. This cream is infused with olive butter and soy to make sure your legs aren't the least bit dry after your shave... it's the best you can get! At only $4.00 a bottle you can have noticeably softer legs and a great smooth shave without the razor burn and dry skin.

17.


Claudia Stevens Self Heating Purifying Mask: Aside from the amazing warming sensation you get when you use this mask, it is also deep-cleaning your pores and strengthening your skin! Great for all skin types and wont leave any irritation. I only tried a small trial bottle because I'm a skeptic when it comes to certain products, but I will definitely be going back to buy the big bottle! The big bottle costs $8.00 at Sally Beauty Supple and the trial size is only $1.99.

18.


Alba Hawaiian Lip Balms: They come in Coconut Cream and Pineapple Quench, but the Pineapple Quench would be my favorite. Made of real, natural ingredients, this lip balm leaves your lips feeling moisturized... without the feeling of caked on lip gloss. Alba Botanicals uses plant proteins, natural botanicals, vitamins, advanced sea enzymes and tropical fruit, nut and plant essences from the Hawaiian Islands - so you know this is some great stuff! $4.00 at your local Sally Beauty or WalMart.

19.


Young Living Essential Oils: This is my last choice for my list of favorites, and it is also one of the best that I recommend to everyone. I wouldn't go as far as saying that these oils will rid you of a certain disease, but this is what I will say. There are so many small ailments where we just run to the medicine cabinet to "fix ourselves". As I mentioned when I spoke of the Excedrin Migraine, I don't always use that medication even though I suffer from daily migraines. Most of the time I use essential oils to help get rid of headaches. At first I didn't believe that these oils worked at all. After the coaxing of my grandmother I started to use the oils, and I found out that they do a lot of good for the body. For instance, peppermint oil - it gets rid of headaches like no other pain killer I have ever used. Not to mention that it helps calm you which also helps relieve the pain. It also works well for an upset stomach or muscle pain. Wintergreen oil is great for back pain, and it is basically a completely natural version of Icy Hot. Same great warm and tingling feeling, except it's completely natural and 100% pure. My favorite oil blend is called Thieves, which is made up of cloves, rosemary and other oils. It is very powerful and has many uses. It is a natural way to kill germs, fungi and many viruses. It was said that this very concoction killed off the Bubonic Plague. I use this oil for everything from a disinfectant for my hands to getting rid of a stomach virus. It really does work, and if you want to purchase any of the oils I suggest the ones I mentioned above. There are a very wide variety, and you can find them all here. If you are very interested in Thieves alone, please click here.

I hope you all enjoyed the list of the things I use daily, along with some new things that I've fallen in love with this past week and a half. I hope those of you who voted for Part 1 and 2 were satisfied with my article and be sure to keep leaving suggestions because that makes it a lot easier for me to write things that interest you directly. I will try to fit in my family blog before I leave on vacation but It looks like a pretty busy week this week so I'm not sure if I will be able to. However, I promise you all that I will post my family blog as soon as I get back home. Thanks for all the feedback and I would love more! God bless and be sure to try some of the products on these two lists!

- Mandy Krzywonski

A Few of My Favorite Things... Part 1

You all asked for it, so here it is! This is my blog about some of my favorite products. Everything from headache medicine to shampoos to tampons! I hope you enjoy reading and maybe you'll even try a few of these products. Some of them are low priced and a few are pretty expensive. I basically went out and bought a bunch of things so I could give you reviews on the things I liked best.
I also noticed that the second place topic was a blog about my family, and since so many of you wanted that I will try to post a blog before I leave about my family. If I can't do it before I leave I will do it as soon as I get home! Thanks for all of the participation! I love you guys!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.


Noxema Triple Clean Anti-Blemish Pads: These are by far the best cleaning pads when it comes to being a teenager with annoying acne. I never had acne until I started getting on my new medication called Vimpat. This was the third brand of Anti-Blemish pads that I tried and they work wonders if you use them regularly. I suggest you try them out. They run for about $3-4.

2.


Alba Hawaiian Papaya Mango Body Cream: It doesn't smell too good, but it really helps moisturize dry or damaged skin. I use it on my feet after giving myself a pedicure and then I slip into some soft socks and the next day I have feet like a baby. This is a pretty good sized tub in my opinion and it runs at about $9 in most stores.

3.


Jergens Original Scent Cherry-Almond Dry Skin Moisturizer: It's a classic, made a long time before I was born. I personally only started using it because of the cherry-almond smell, but what it does for your skin is what keeps you buying it. I put it all over my body and my skin always looks like new, even when I'm out in the sun all day. The moisture doesn't dry out like most lotions will and it isn't oily so it does not cause break outs. The big 21 oz. bottle goes for about $6-7 at most stores.

4.


St. Ives Cellulite Shield: If you are like most women you will eventually develop some cellulite around your thighs at one point or another, and this is a great way to make it less noticeable. This gel tones your skin and in about two weeks it has its full effect. I've only used it for one week and my legs look great! It sells for $8.50 - 9.00. Unlike other cellulite lotions it doesn't have a nasty smell, but instead it has a barely noticeable but sweet fragrance.

5.


L'Oreal Sublime Bronze Tinted Self-Tanning Lotion: This small bottle lasts about 3 weeks if you use it about twice a week and it gives you an instant bronze. The color takes about an hour to set in fully and lasts a long time. It's great if you are planning on going swimming because it doesn't wash off easily. Sublime Bronze also contains vitamin E to reduce the dry skin that most self-tanners can cause. However, this lotion isn't oily so you wont have to worry so much about it staining your clothes. I bought this for $7.00 exactly at WalMart.

6.


Dr. Scholl's For Her Smooth My Sole Micro File: Just like the Pedi-Egg, but in my opinion much better. For only $7.00 ($3.00 less than the Pedi-Egg) the blade is much better and it comes with 3 smoothing pads. I recommend this to people with moderately dry feet. If you have severely callused feet, see #7.

7.


Artemis Woman Heel Smoother: I bought this about a week ago. Like I mentioned above, this is good for people with severely callused feet (which would be me). I never paid attention when my grandmother told me to wear socks at all times and I walked around barefooted for most of my life... and my feet were horrible. After just one use, I could see and feel a total difference in my feet. After using the Artemis Woman Heel Smoother I washed and soaked my feet in hot water for five minutes and applied the Alba body cream... and of course, I put socks on. Out of all the things on my list, I recommend this product the most! It only costs about $15.00 but I have seen it a little bit higher at some stores. Your best bet is to buy it at WalMart.

8.


Excedrin Migraine Extra Strength: This wasn't the best picture to find, but it's the same medication. They changed the look of the pills and they are now round and half white, half green. When you suffer from migraines such as I do, it's hard to find a pain killer that works. The great thing about Excedrin is that it contains caffeine which is something that surprisingly helps get rid of headaches. Sometimes caffeine is really all you need. Excedrin usually costs about $6-8 at most stores. WARNING: If you suffer from daily migraines you should consult a doctor first. Excedrin should not be used daily. I have migraines almost everyday but I only use Excedrin every now and then for the really bad ones.

9.


Tampax Compak Pearl On The Go: If you're a woman, you know how annoying it is to always have to remember to carry your tampons around with you. It's also annoying when your tampons are the size of a pencil. What's great about these tampons is that they are discreet and you can leave them in your purse for as long as you need and no one would ever notice. They are about 2 1/2 inches long and they fit perfectly inside a wallet or pocket in your purse... even your jean pocket! They are very comfortable to use as well. A pack of 40 only costs about $6.50.

10.


S Factor by TIGI "Serious Conditioner": This is a little more pricey, especially if you buy the whole line of shampoos, conditioners, sprays, etc. I do use the shampoo and moisturizing spray as well, but since it costs so much I only really recommend using the serious conditioner. It costs at the least $35.00... but what it does for your hair is amazing. You only need to use it about once a week. It contains vitamin E, sunflower seed oil, mint, papaya, silk, and tons of other things that will leave your hair feeling like you just made it out of the womb. All you do is put it all over your hair, let it sit for 5 minutes (or longer if you wish) wash it out, and voila! You can get it online for cheaper, at least that is what I've been told by a friend. She said she got a smaller tube of it for about $20. I hope some of you will at least give it a try! I love it.

11.


L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum: Believe it or not, it works. My medication makes my hair very brittle, and that affects even your lashes. I use this in the morning, under my makeup and before bed. My lashes are much stronger than they ever were, and they even appear to be longer! This costs about $12 but it's very worth it if you really want to achieve gorgeous lashes!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the end of Part 1 of A Few of My Favorite Things! I hope you will try some of these products, and keep tuned in for Part 2 coming tomorrow!

Day #45 - Love the Skin You're In...(Yeah Right!)

To say it all at once, I've had a migraine all day. So my theory that my headaches had disappeared was incorrect because I've had many, many headaches lately. As for my seizures, I've had 23 visual seizures total. 2 absence seizures that I know of, and most likely a bunch more that I didn't catch. I did have a seizure that I found out was called a "Gustatory Seizure" or "simple-partial seizure". It can happen many ways, but for me it started out as a visual hallucination of just about anything. Sometimes I see numbers and words, which my doctor is amazed at because apparently this is rare. This seizure was accompanied by a chemical taste sensation in my mouth. Unfortunately I didn't have my magnet nearby because I had just stepped out of the shower... but, as unfortunate as that may be, my seizure did not last very long. I haven't had a single seizure since that point in time. This may sound good, but I am nervous because this is usually what leads to a "grand mal". Over a period of about 2 to 3 days, I will have about 3 or 4 of these small seizures that wont last long at all. Then they stop completely, and out of nowhere a grand mal will catch me off guard. So now I'm taking all the necessary precautions such as leaving the bathroom door unlocked, removing dangerous objects from around me while I am sleeping, etc. I've even had my youngest sister, Eliana, sit in the bathroom while I'm in the shower a few times. I don't usually do this, but just for today. I'm just trying to prepare because I'm showing all the signs: nausea, headache, and drowsiness. Plus, now that I've had a simple-partial seizure it's time to get ready just in case.


"Angry Bag Head" taken by Tom.Arthur, courtesy of Flickr.com.

If you all don't mind, I would like to get my mind off the fear of a grand mal, so I actually wanted to blog about one's appearance. I have been reading through my followers' blogs, (I wont say who) and I've noticed that there is at least one blog that has a good paragraph or two devoted to how much everyone hates this mole on their face, their HUGE nose, their "baby belly", or something else that probably isn't as bad as they make it. Now I wont lie, I dislike my body. But I'm slowly making progress to change the things I dislike, and accept the things I can't change at the moment. I encourage all my readers to make a post, or include something in one of their posts about their body... and make it loving! Instead of posting about how much you hate your "thunder thighs," write about how you love your eyes or something else that isn't as common. Write about how you secretly love your toes or your shoulders. Something like that. Hating your body causes unnecessary stress which is bad for you... so do something good!
I wanted to say thanks for all the feedback from my followers on blogger and the ones from just about everywhere else. I got 22 e-mails this week from readers, and it really made me smile! I don't usually get a lot, so it surprised me. I was also informed that I'm on Google search now, which as equally awesome. I didn't think anyone would take any interest at all in this boring blog. Anyway, I'm glad you all think I'm interesting! I love the feedback, so keep on leaving it! I love you all, God bless!!!

P.S. - If you guys have any ideas on something I could blog about post it below. I've noticed that most people e-mailing me were talking about how much they enjoyed my informational posts, so please let me know if there's anything you wish to know more about or just anything you think would be interesting. Toodles!

I Know, I Know... Why Sleep is Vital for Epileptic Teens

I promised my next blog would be tomorrow when my VNS implant got turned on but it's 4:27 in the morning and I can't sleep. I was up writing a paper on Child Abuse and Molestation. That was not the most pleasant topic, and it stressed me out very much. If I could give one tip to all the teenage Epileptics of this world I would say:

"Do not stay up past midnight, especially doing homework."

Why? Well for starters, sleep is key to reducing seizures. The average person needs 6 to 8 hours of sleep a day. Epileptics need extra sleep! So we're lookin' at about 8 to 9. This seemed unhealthy to me at first but my doctor recommended that I would try, and I really benefitted
from just that one small change.


Secondly, schoolwork stresses your brain more than it stresses you out. I think any student can understand this. A brain that is already lacking sleep should not be doing a math review or a 300 word essay.

Lastly, (this one's easy). How the heck are you going to stay awake tomorrow?

I can't begin to tell you how many seizures I've had the day after nights that I didn't go to sleep on time. And they could have all been prevented by catching a few z's. Luckily, I am homeschooled. I say this because someone is always there to take care of me during a seizure. At school I would be screwed because when I was there, none of my teachers knew what to do. I have a schedule just as busy as any other teen... If not more. The only difference is I get to sleep in two hours. I still have classes, and mine are two to three whole hours long. I have tons of doctor visits for my Epilepsy alone... PLUS dentist visits, chiropractor visits, optometrist visits, etc. But everyone needs
their sleep, especially us teens (and people) with Epilepsy. So do what I'm doing right now and get off your cell phones and laptops, turn
off your tvs, close your textbooks, put on your pjs, and get some sleep!!!

Sweet dreams! For real this time!