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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1987-11-18, Page 24Page 4A—CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1987 'l'he Londesboro Exploer Girls for the 1986-87 year included (back row, left to right.) Assistant Leader Lynda Horbanuik, Kelly Bosman, Pam Salverda, Kerrie Szusz, Erin Horbanuik and Paul Allen. (Middle row) Angela Horbanuik, Erin Jameison, Mandy Medd, Lisa Finch, Lindsey Salverda, Cheri Taylor and Leader Edith Taylor. (Front row) Christy Scott, Mandy Hadenko, Lindsay Anderson and Rhonda Howatt. New members are still welcome to join the 1987-88 group. Please contact Lynda Horbanuik. ALL SEASON TIRES P -215-75R15 $905° Installed and Balanced offer expires November 28/87 ALIGNMENT SPECIAL $19.50 offer expires November 28/87 EDWARD FUELS AUTO SERVICE CENTRE 4827381228 Albert St. (Hwy. 4 north) CLINTON Kathv tills her story By Kathy Bromley BLYTH - Another year has quickly pass- ed, yet so many wonderful things have hap- pened to me in that time. This year, I will be writing from a different aspect concerning epilepsy, compared to what I have written over the last two' years. Thanks to Dr. Girvin and Dr. Rice of University Hospital, London, my seizures are now a thing of the past, after undergoing successful brain surgery. This year, my features will be based on my life history - what caused the seizures; being diagnosed as being an epileptic; the life of an epileptic wife and mother; and how my younger brother's death opened my eyes, enabling me to be where I am today. My Childhood Years It has now been confirmed that my seizures evolved from an incident that oc- curred 30 years ago, while I was teething. As all children have fevers while cutting teeth, I was no exception. Mom had put me to bed for the night and she was ready to call it a day later on. I call it the "mother's instinct" that comes naturally to moms that caused her to make one last check on me before she went to bed. It was at this time that I was already in a convulsion. It is not known how long I had been in the convulsion prior to mom's arrival. I was then admitted to Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich, where I was closely watched and had the fever brought down. My convulsion is the root of all of the pro- blems that I later faced in my life. As I grew older, I was no different than any other child...I loved getting dirty and I continuously fought with my brothers and sisters. Unusual symptoms soon became obvious to mom, though, as I suddenly became very pale and w: s starieyed. Mom was concern- ed and kn,:w it went deeper than me daydreaming, especially when I had such a frightening look on my face. Apparently the feeling I had was an "Aura" or warning signal, we learned later. As a child who began school, symptoms were becoming more and more obvious. But, symptoms for what? What had once began as paleness and staring, soon reveal- ed more. Mom observed that I would pull on my shirt, as I continuously made gagging noises. On top of this, I would chew on the in- side of my mouth, leaving the insides of my cheeks red and inflamed. Salt was then ap- plied to bring the swelling down...until it struck again. By this time, mom knew that I was ex- periencing something unusual. Numerous times, she took me to the doctors, stressing that something was ailing me and she wanted to know what it was and what could be done about it. 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Appliances Sales & Service A PPLM PCE REP4IRS TO ALL MAKES' ,... Elea$rlcol ktolntanonce Weekly Instate Special® leo Eric Schellenherarar 90 Alert St., Clinton 482-3646 REPAIR APPLIANCE and REFRIGERATION REPAIR SERVICE Jim Eir®dfo i,. t 233-7032 November is epilepsy month was all an "act" that I was carrying out, trying to get the attention that I felt was lacking. He went on to stress that if she did not stop jumping tp bring me in so often for such symptoms, "Kathy will soon be diagnosed as a hypocondriac. The psychiatric hospital was where I was to go for special treatments. Thank God, mom felt there was more to it than that. A Younger Brother As all of this uncertainty was happening to rne, dad and mom had their hands full. My younger brother Pete came into the family to even the score at three boys and three girls. I can clearly recall one specific time when Pete experienced a household accident with a heavy object, in his early years. An iron fell onto the top portion of his finger, leaving it partially disconnected. As Pete lay there, getting ready for the hospital, I cried and cried. He remained quieter than I did. This may have been the beginning of the bond of closeness that we shared throughout his life. (It was stitched back on and healed well.) Our closeness blossomed even more in a few years time. Pete was experiencing his own problems, as he was very late in being able to walk. Later on, Pete was admitted to War Memorial Hospital in London under the supervision of Dr. Nicholson. I too was there, thanks to mom again. She had stress- ed that she wanted things looked into deeper. As I was there, the overactivity of my brain was visible. Just as we were finally getting to the root of my problem, my life met the "fork in the road". As Dr. Nicholson was a pediatrician, I could no longer be his patient when I turn- ed 16. The results of my tests allowed him to con- firm with us that he had suspicions. Through a friend, we learned of Dr. McInnis, a neurologist, who became my specialist ( after seeing him for 15 years now he will be taking me off of the remaining medication that I am on, later this month.) Emotional Problems I was finally diagnosed as an epileptic. My outlook on life was as low as one could go, at one point. Yes, suicide was even considered, but, thank God, I was unable to carry it out. Pete had earlier been diagnosed as having Muscular Dystrophy. At least we now knew what was ailing us, yet it was so hard for me to accept. The lowest point in my life, also proved to 'be a high point. I now knew for sure that this was uncontrollable for me and that specific medication was needed. It was no longer considered mental problems. I am safe to call this age one of the most insecure stages in life that I experienced. I felt so uncomfortable around anyone, especially high school students, never know- ing when the next seizure would strike. This is where my concerns for seizures differed from that of my parents, and later, my husband. Naturally, mom and dad wor- ried about me, concerning anything that may happen during a seizure. As for me, I wasn't worried as much of what happened, but, rather who would see me in a seizure. With these attitudes and examples, I final- ly accepted the fact that I would remain an epileptic spinster all of my life. Who would ever want a girlfriend/wife, who took "fits"? But, changes and unusual events, I never believed possible, did occur. I never dream- ed of them happening to me. I had actually been asked out for a day in high school. Is it possible that I am con- sidered the same as other "normal" people? This so-called confidence balloon that was rapidly being blown up, quickly burst, though. I learned that my date was a bet - a bet that he wouldn't ask me out. I vowed to myself I would not budge to allow this to happen again. I did not want anyone to feel obligated to me. This is where the tides turned though. Bev came into my life and for once, I did feel like the normal teenage girl, that I had once dreamed of being. I enjoyed it while I could, but deep down inside, I knew things would change, and I was ready for it. Since I attended GDCI and Bev went to the Clinton high school, I assumed that he didn't realize what he was getting himself involved with. It was a glorious -moment, one evening, when he handed me his ring and asked if I would go steady with him. It was here that I had to admit to myself - "It was fun while it lasted." I went on to explain to Bev, that he had every right to back out and refrain from the question he had previously asked me. I ex- plained that I understood - I am an epileptic. To this, he promptly replied "I know"! I discovered that he learned of my physical illness through a friend, before our first date. This was like a scene from a fairy-tale, featuring myself as Cinderella, one that I never dreamed possible. Fifteen months later, we became husband and wife, Bev and Kathy Bromley. Pete walked at our wedding, but shortly afterwards, the cords in his legs had to be cut due to muscular problems. Pete was confined to a wheelchair. Little did I realize how lucky I was. 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