Epilepsy Talk

Working, seizures, and secrets  | March 8, 2024

When I was in my 30’s, I worked real hard and made pots of money.

No sleep.

Many seizures.

But big bucks.

At the advertising agency where I worked, when I saw the couch in my office, I thought: “Well, I guess I’m important.”

Little did I know that I’d end up sleeping on it. And having many seizures.

Then there was the time I was sent to San Francisco to “save” an account.

I saw the pizza boxes and thought: “Great. I love pizza.”

I didn’t know I’d be eating pizza for the next three days. And having seizures.

At the “victory lunch”, I slid from the chair to the floor.

Luckily, they thought I was exhausted. (Which I was.)

The perfect foil for the seizure I was having.

But I had done it. I had fooled them again.

Now, forty years later, I still work real hard.

But I don’t make any money.

I write out of love.

And for all those who have to keep epilepsy their “dirty little secret”.

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Posted in Epilepsy
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4 Comments »

  1. uworrn's avatar

    I started having seizures 2016. I was diagnosed 12.2016. We did not know this was happening.

    I was a nurse. I was a very committed nurse. I was a nurse whose main job in a clinic was taking calls and providing care, such as explaining to a patient the need to be seen today and provide care.

    Needless to say, I lost everything. I had to give up being a nurse. The seizures started occurring constantly.

    I had to give up care to my family.

    I had to give up my life of caring for others.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by uworrn — March 9, 2024 @ 5:36 AM

    Reply
  2. Phylis Feiner Johnson's avatar

    Ouch. That must hurt a lot. From being a caregiver, to needing care yourself.

    My heart goes out to you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Comment by Phylis Feiner Johnson — March 9, 2024 @ 10:22 AM

    Reply
  3. William Lipkin's avatar

    Thank you–thank you–thank you. You keep offering stories that feel so close to home. Very valuable. Allows me to feel not so alone.

    Liked by 2 people

    Comment by William Lipkin — March 10, 2024 @ 5:41 AM

    Reply

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    About the author

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    Phylis Feiner Johnson

    I've been a professional copywriter for over 35 years. I also had epilepsy for decades. My mission is advocacy; to increase education, awareness and funding for epilepsy research. Together, we can make a huge difference. If not changing the world, at least helping each other, with wisdom, compassion and sharing.

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