Back in a Bit

[Comment] Anonymous on Coming out

Wed, 14 Jan 2009 14:14:35 -0800

[...] with information, draw a line between them and yourself and still keep them at ease. But I am not the only one who has been perplexed about the [...]

It’s not all bad

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:59:19 -0800

I thought I’d write something of a normal post for a change, so here it is and you’re welcome to it. Regular readers may have noticed that my posts tend to exist at the extremes (either short links or spectacularly long passages) so I thought I’d attempt something in between. I should warn you that [...]

[Comment] Mo Morgan on Ten things to do on the train home from work

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:55:06 -0700

For the benefit of those who came in late (by several years), a little more context is thrown upon this post, together with some more sensible suggestions, in Things to do on a train, revisited.

Things to do on a train, revisited

Sun, 19 Oct 2008 10:51:14 -0700

A title that amuses the author in at least three different ways simply isn’t enough: convention dictates that a weblog should have a subtitle. A number of publishing applications, notably WordPress, have functionality to allow, even encourage, the use of a subtitle. Prospective authors would do well to note the default subtitle, “Just another WordPress [...]

Stop the clocks

Fri, 17 Oct 2008 01:26:02 -0700

I never thought I’d say this. Had I seen this three years ago, I couldn’t not have recognised myself as the author. But right now, I would give just about anything to be able to drive again. The DVLA, in particularly festive spirit, formally revoked my driving licence as of Christmas day. In real terms, [...]

[Comment] Cait on Seizure in the city

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:27:45 -0700

Tom's Twitter sent me in your direction and for once, I might have a few bits of experience which might be useful. It's a bit of a shocker, having a fit. I imagine - I say that because my brother has been having Grand Mal seizures since he was a wee kid and it does become increasingly obvious that when you have fits, overcoming them is a collective effort. Hopefully you're surrounded by people who love you when you have them, or, as happens often, you're not. And it's an extremely worrying experience for the total strangers who are surrounding you in the middle of say, Borough Market on a Saturday, which is what happened to Steve once. Before he got married, I was very used to being called by the cops to come to some hospital or other where Steve was gradually getting to normal after the latest brain shut down. When he was young, he fought against it hard, and decided to go and do Buna Camp two summers running. My Mother was sick with worry - he could keel over at any moment: in the bath, by the side of the road, fall on to a railway platform, be alone in the middle of a bar some place... ...but the same things could happen in London. He fell and cracked his head on the edge of kitchen table once and was not only fitting but out cold for several hours. That was good! We liked that one. But, his drugs have got better, and better. He's on them for life and they have funny side effects (look in to yours) like sensitivity to UV light but he hasn't had a fit in a long time. Realistically, given that it's under control, he's more likely to die and untimely death at the hands of a mugger than by having a fit. Or, er, something like that. Tom did fantastically well and it sounds like your workmates are coping well too. And you're doing a brilliant exercise by being completely open about it. One very useful thing to do is not only make sure that everyone in the office knows what to do if you have one, but also your close friends and your family. Steve has found it very reassuring that everyone knows, so in effect, he doesn't ever really need to talk about it. There are obviously differences between the fits that Steve has and the ones you are having, but they're surprisingly limited. I think what is useful is that you don't have to go through your rebellious years whilst being in a position where you have to take drugs every day. Steve was on a medication at the time that was effectively neutralised by alcohol. What did he do? Get hammered, regularly. He was protesting his fate like mad.... with predictable and really very frightening consequences actually. Luckily, for a bloke with a Fine Wine diploma and a history of working at Oddbins, his newer medication doesn't get affected that much by mild pissed-ness! If you think it would be in any way helpful, I can pass on Steve's email address. It might be worth talking through the different life adjustments that he has made - I've gone sort of blind to them after all these years. Also, having read on 'a bit', the DVLA thing - I seem to remember if you're on medication and fit-free for 5 years, then you are allowed to drive again. I know Steve's in the "OK" zone again now but since he's never had any lessons and lives in London he now can't be bothered (and his Missus drives). Two things my "big sister worry" head would make me say to Steve at this point: if you're still having fits on and off as things move forward, then think carefully about whether you want to continue living on your own. Steve did for a while, but as I say, cracked his head and so forth. Secondly, stay well behind the yellow line :) Good luck. It's dealable. xx

The process

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 02:03:05 -0700

Having been proved right, or rather not proved wrong, the neurologist had proceeded with treating me exactly as he had said he would. The quantity of drugs were to increase week by week until I hit the magic quantity, and then I’d continue at that level for the rest of my days. Providing I didn’t [...]

[Comment] asta on Fighting fit

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:22:33 -0700

Also tipped off by Tom and Gordon. Riveting. It sounds very much like what my ex sister-in-law went through, but I'm refusing to jump to conclusions.

[Comment] Will on Fighting fit

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:55:34 -0700

Hi Mo, Have come across your story via Tom and Gordon's Twitter feeds. It's gripping, affecting and really informative. Thanks so much for sharing.

[Comment] Bart on Fighting fit

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:44:26 -0700

Have you heard of the book "The Time Traveler's Wife"? I wonder if the author knew someone who went through the same thing you did. The main character in the book can sense that he's about to loose it, but instead of blacking out and having the symptoms you've described, he ends up getting taken to a different time in his life and having to figure out how the hell he ended up there. :) Hope your doctor's going to have your answers soon. Your posts are keeping me in suspense, much like the book! :)