Every morning for 6,209 days, I have woken up and thanked God for my life. Seventeen years ago, I had a grand mal seizure and woke up two hours later in the ER. I don't remember most of the week that followed.
Living with an invisible illness is not easy. There are many challenges I face that I don’t share with others—big, scary challenges. However, despite everything, it’s all worth it. My wish was to watch my children grow, and I have certainly witnessed that! They are beautiful, amazing, loving, and compassionate adults, both pursuing careers they are passionate about and find fulfilling.
I have also had the joy of growing up alongside my husband, and we recently celebrated our 30th anniversary. Now, our dream is to grow old together and fulfill our four-seasons empty nest dreams.
Although I never would have wanted to face such a limiting illness (or any illness) when I was 34, it has changed my perspective on life in ways many never get to experience—seeing it through the eyes of second chances. Initially, the world felt hopeless, and I struggled with PTSD for a long time. I still experience anxiety, but I have learned that there is hope in everything. To me, “impossible” is not an option; all I see is “I’m possible.”
I have been seizure-free for 17 years, thanks to medication and lifestyle changes. My specialists have told me that this is essentially a miracle. I hope that when someone feels hopeless, they can learn from my experience. Life isn’t always easy, but hope is real, and miracles do happen. Always declare what you want—your wishes can come true.
