Monthly Archives: September 2016

Living with Epilepsy

One Hell of a Weekend

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Hey guys,
How are you doing?? I hope you are seizure free, wherever you are. Whether it be for a few days, hours, or weeks. Sending you love.

Sobaby to preface this, my Sunday was actually more h*ll-ish. I actually can’t remember what I did on Saturday but I think I was seizing and sleeping.

My family is wanting to adopt a kitty, so while we were on the way to the SPCA I asked if we could stop for some Starbucks. Firstly, because it’s fall, and secondly, Pumpkin Spice. Duh? I also got my mum a small coffee which I was happy to do. I remember putting the Pumpkin Spiced Latte down on the little table where you get the lids and milk and the last thing I saw was my Pumpkin Spiced Latte. After that, I blacked out, and according to my mom, picked up my coffee, started walking towards her, stopped then fell backwards. Yup. With Pumpkin Spiced Latte in hand. 3 People in the Starbucks were quick to respond and phoned 911, whilst my mom tried to wiped off all the coffee that had splattered on my face with her scarf and sweater. The Fire Fighters were the first to respond, and I had to hold up an ice pack to my face plus a towel filled with ice-cubes to try and ease the pain.

Thankfully, there were no blisters, which means I didn’t get first degree burns. I am SO thankful. BUT my face does have a coffee like residue on it. It has a brown splatter on it by my cheekbones near my eye. Thankfully I have great reflexes and squeezed my eyes shut, so no Pumpkin Spice got in my eyes.

These types of accidents are traumatic and can make me feel sad. Like, Oh F*** I can’t even do something as normal as get coffee. It also makes me question my safety and I feel uncomfortable travelling in unknown places on my own. Like my friend put it “You are safe, but rattled”. Which describes PERFECTLY how I feel about the whole situation.

Love you all.

Be safe and be well!

Sita Gaia xox

Living with Epilepsy

Update on My Life!!

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Hey Friends!
How are you doing these days? I recently got back from a ten day road trip, which was fun and….well long. My medications have been increased (seriously?!) so I spent the entire trip walking around like a Zombie with coffee in hand. I know that people with Epilepsy are not supposed to drink coffee, but we NEED it! I don’t know what I would do without it.

Otherwise I am super happy that it’s Autumn and that  I am back home. I am working on my new business to help coach high school and college students who need help organizing and prioritizing their work. Essentially, these students need some help because they are behind in their work. Academic Coach to the rescue! I finally made some calls and wrote some emails that needed to be done today and I am SO happy that I finally ticked them off my list! I don’t know why I was avoiding it for so long.

I just thought I would give you guys an update on my life.

Lots of love,

Sita Gaia xox

Living with Epilepsy

Wonderful TedxTalk about Chronic Illness and Media!

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Hey guys! I just wanted to share this wonderful TedxTalk that explains so eloquently why Chronic Illness and Social Media when used purposefully are so helpful. This is why I created this blog, Life at Full Volume, because I was lonely and didn’t think that anyone else out there was going through what I was, or could even understand it.

Boy, I was wrong. Thank you for reaching out and supporting me these last 4 years (and more to come!)

Enjoy the tedxtalk!

TedxWallaWallaUniversity

Living with Epilepsy

My Identity is Chained to Epilepsy?

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unhappy-coffeeHey friends! Happy Labor Day! If you are enjoying this Holiday, thank a Union worker who made this holiday possible.

This past weekend I have been more tired than I have ever been in my life. I ended up sleeping for several days. I have had some of my medications increased, which has increased my fatigue. Coffee is now my best friend. I am going to contact my Neuro’s Nurse tomorrow to express my concerns with her.

Lately though, I feel my identity is chained to my Epilepsy. Over the past few years, I feel as though Epilepsy has become my identity. I am happy to advocate on behalf of people with chronic health issues, but that’s all that I am now. Before my seizures were bad, I used to be a student, a health nut, and I LOVED to dance (specifically Zumba). My seizures have decreased, but that is due to the increase of medications which are making me tired like you might not believe.

I feel like it is easy for a person to lose sight of who they are. In my case, I feel tired all the time and I can’t really talk to others about things that are NOT related to my health.  I love fashion, clothes, and styling outfits. I probably got that from years of watching What Not to Wear. Lots of physical activities I used to do I can’t do anymore. My health has been in limbo for 5 years, which is hard to manage.

I’m in an unhappy place right now. If you have Epilepsy, know you’re not alone. If you are a friend, spouse, sister/brother, etc just try to understand that we can go through these rough times.

Lots of Love,

Sita Gaia xox