Is BeingSeizure Free,
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26 posts for 26 miles
26 posts for 26 miles
At the 8 mile mark of a Marathon, most people have been running for nearly an hour. With 2 or more hours left, they must learn to settle into the race. Likewise, everyday provides constant reminders of the challenges Freeman faces with Epilepsy. Our family needed to find ways to help everyone settle into our long marathon with Epilepsy. Long distance running is as much a mental challenge as it is physical. The trick is to give yourself a mental break during the long duration of the marathon. There are so many monotonous parts to the marathon that can make it more laborious. Stride, arm and breath cadence can begin to wear on the mind of a runner. You need to practice distracting yourself from focusing on any of these autonomous tasks. They will take care of themselves, but they can drive you crazy if you begin to notice them early on in a race. Similarly, simple exercises can help relax your body and eliminate undue stress. Relaxing your shoulders, your hands and even a simple smile can help eliminate strain later in the marathon. The crowd in a race can be a double-edged sword. Take time to enjoy the people cheering along the course, but don’t allow their energy to increase your anxiety and/or determine your pace! These steps can help a runner settle into their race, and enjoy a few easy miles before they need to prepare for the 2nd half. Epilepsy is present in your life 24-7. Just like a marathon, the trick is to find ways to give yourself a break and enjoy some worry-free times. Epilepsy introduces endless visits to the labs to get blood tests updated. The tests are necessary to verify healthy blood levels, functioning organs and proper levels of prescribed medications. These are followed by regular doctor check-ups to review any recent changes in the seizures or side effects to the medication. The doctor helps keep a good record of your journey, but also requires that you rehash the challenges and struggles of the past. Finally, there is the shocking reality of the seizure episodes themselves. Freeman typically has 3 to 4 seizures a week, they occur 15 minutes after he falls asleep at night and last for 30 seconds. All of these events force our family to find special moments to help us relax and minimize their impact. It amazes me that I enjoy long distance running so much. Since I was a young boy I would enjoy running further than most kids and the calm that it provided me. Most people tell me that they struggle running for more than 20 minutes. I always respond that maybe I can enjoy running because I can distract myself from the monotony of it all. The same applies with how we have been able to cope with Freeman’s Epilepsy. I take the same approach in trying to not get overwhelmed by the numerous negatives that impact our lives. I believe that we have learned to settle because we focus on the positive moments we have together as a family. We have confidence that Freeman has the best medical advisors and a strong seizure prevention plan. Freeman is the most amazing young boy. His great attitude and personality bring us strength. A strength that allows us to settle at times during such a long and difficult Marathon with Epilepsy. Next up: Mile 9. Hydration & Electrolytes vs. Sleep & Stress
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