August 10th is my seizure-free day. It started in 2010, and my family celebrates it every year. Keep in mind, I was an 11-year-old girl at the time. I love sharing my story with anyone who might be curious about why I wear a leg brace or wrist brace. Also, I like to answer questions about how I do everyday things.
In 2010, I had a hemispherectomy to get rid of the seizures I had. The doctors weren’t sure what might happen after the surgery. When the surgery was over, I could not move my left side at all. I could not open my eyelids either. While I apparently looked calm on the outside, I was screaming and crying on the inside. I barely had any energy to move or do anything. In fact, I could stay awake for less than five minutes before I would go back to sleep. However, it is very true what Philippians 4:13 says because the Lord gave me enough strength to get through each day at the hospital.
I tried my hardest to relearn everything that I lost from the surgery. I had to relearn how to walk, eat, talk, and do basic everyday tasks. In a way, I feel like I had to go through every milestone that a baby has to learn. Thankfully, I was able to accomplish most of them.
After three months, it was finally time to go home, and I was excited. Before my parents and I left the hospital, we went to the cafeteria for lunch, and my parents let me have pizza. Safe to say, I broke the Joye family record by eating three entire pizzas! Back at home, I was greeted with my siblings holding up a large board with colorful letters saying, “Welcome home!”
Although I left the hospital, I still had to do physical and occupational therapy at home for a long time. The doctor said if I could pass the five-year mark, then I would be completely free from my seizures.
After being home for a while, I tried to be creative in ways to get basic tasks done. Sometimes I may look a little weird doing it, but whatever gets the job done! I also found out myself how to do certain chores around the house one-handed, like folding clothes. If I told 11-year-old me how much I would accomplish, she probably would not have believed me.
Now 16 years have passed, and it is clear that the surgery was a huge success. I have been able to accomplish many milestones over the years. My family and I are proud of how much progress I have made.
So overall, we do have a good reason to celebrate every passing year. I pick a different way to celebrate every year, like eating at a different restaurant, cooking a special meal, or making a different dessert each time. Last year was a “pouring M&Ms” cake. This year we celebrated with a pan of brownies. I always look forward to seeing how we will celebrate it in the following years to come.
I still have hope I will soon reach the milestones of moving my left hand and fingers, as well as not having to wear hand and leg braces. I do believe one day I will reach them, but right now I am focusing on meeting other small milestones. I cannot wait to see what milestone I hit next.
