My Story

In 1992 at the age of 38, I had a stroke. This occurred while in the hospital the morning after the birth of my son, Matthew.

My stroke led to four brain surgeries, a life with disabilities and an on-going battle with epilepsy.

My first brain surgery was performed on an emergency basis after a cat scan revealed a massive intracerebral hemorrhage. My stroke was caused from untreated hypertension following childbirth. Three weeks after surgery I went to rehab with the hope of regaining the left side I lost.

Four days after my discharge from rehab, I had my first seizure. I was re-admitted to the hospital. A brain abcess was discovered and another brain surgery was performed

After four weeks in the hospital, I went back to rehab.

Matthew was 31/2 months old when I finally made it home to be his Mommy---a role many found hard to acknowledge.

I was home for six months when I had another seizure. Seizures became more frequent and escalated to the point where I no longer just had seizures---I had epilepsy.

After numerous attempts to control my seizures with medications failed, two more brain surgeries were performed in January, 1996. Matthew was only 3 years old when he asked my neurosurgeon: "Are you going to make my Mommy better?" The surgeon responded: "I'll try." He did try.....

My seizures continue as does my quest for a seizure-free life.