A Young Woman Grows Up Through Challenges of Epilepsy

By Lindsay Woucyna
Special to between us
Posted: September 30, 2003

As an adolescent in middle school, I was not yet aware of the many obstacles in life or the true meaning of pain. As I entered the eighth grade, my life started to change dramatically.

One day a few weeks into the school year, I began to feel very dizzy. It seemed strange that I hadn’t remembered anything going on around me. I thought no one caught the “daydreaming,” and I shrugged it off.

My gym teacher had witnessed one of my spells and began to question me about my health. I didn’t really pay attention to what she said and told her I was fine.

Waking Up On Deck

A few days later, our gym class started the swimming unit. I have been swimming since I was 3 years old and have always loved the thrill of competition. On this particular day, I felt worn out and didn’t really want to swim. The next thing I remember is waking up on the pool deck, all of my classmates watching me.

Why was I here? What had happened? My mother was called and was asked if I had any threatening health conditions. My gym teacher acknowledged I was an avid swimmer. In the distance, I faintly heard her explaining that I had stopped in the middle of the pool and was unresponsive to her attempts to get my attention. Neither my teacher nor my mother could find an explanation. My counselor suggested a call to my pediatrician.

I didn’t really expect anything to be wrong. I kept thinking I was just tired and needed more sleep. Epilepsy? How could I, an 11-year-old honor roll student, have a seizure disorder?

Facing the Tests

There wasn’t much time to ponder this idea, though. We scheduled many tests and saw numerous different doctors for consultations. I don’t know how I got through the extensive MRIs, CAT scans, EEGs, WADA tests and psychological evaluations. I wasn’t confident I would pull through.

Every day, though, I left the house at 7:30 a.m., headed to school, then went straight to swim practice after school. Was I finally on the road to recovery? Not quite.

Not only were the seizures becoming more frequent and severe, my performance in school and swimming suffered. I was no longer on the honor roll or an All-State swimmer. My mother was very worried and called my doctor.

I was forced back to the hospital to undergo more physical and psychological testing. My doctor explained that I was part of the 30 percent of people with epilepsy for whom medication was not a solution. What was the answer for me?

Surgeons accepted my case and planned an operation for the summer of 1999. I prayed every day and night. The day before my surgery, a priest from my church performed the blessing of the sick upon me, even though I didn’t feel sick.

Moving Forward After Surgery

As I awoke from the surgery, I thought my life would be changed forever – for the worst. I was immediately wheeled to the intensive care unit (ICU) where I spent my first few nights. I was looking forward to recovering and seeing some of my friends, but many never showed. Although not many of my close friends came to visit me, I wanted to get on with my life and was looking forward to high school.

I knew my parents were heartbroken over everything I had gone through. They were not sure I was ready to start right away at a new school, but I wanted to get back in the swing of things as soon as possible.

High school began a whole new chapter in my life. I was still taking medication, but I was feeling better physically and emotionally. I joined the girls’ varsity swim team, and that year we won the Class A state championship. I was awarded one of only two awards recognizing toughness and my varsity letter.

I realized I was a lot closer to God now that I had experienced pain in my life. I joined the youth group at my church and became active in my community by singing at nursing homes, helping at church functions and serving food in soup kitchens.

I was having fun again, but after a year of high school I realized that my grades were still not where I wanted them to be. I was often sad because of my schoolwork and slipped into depression.

I knew the information, but for some reason I didn’t do well on any of the tests and had trouble processing thoughts. My assistant swim coach and math teacher suggested I be tested for a learning disability.

I was nervous about the tests, but was relieved to find out that I did have a learning disability. I knew I would get the help I needed.

Thankful For Support, Maturity

Slowly, I have learned to work around my disability. Through high school I gradually brought my grade point average up. Although I was forced to mature faster than most other people my age, I am very thankful that I have been able to face real life challenges.

Life is not perfect and never will be. I am grateful for everyone who believed in me and didn’t let me give up. They provided me strength to continue.

This fall when I start college, I will be studying to become a high school teacher. Hopefully, I can make as monumental a difference in a child’s life as my teachers, doctors, family and friends have made in mine.