Choices …

Those of you who have followed our journey over the years may recall when Marc was on such a high dose of anti-epileptic medication that he had become vegetative, sleeping around fifteen or sixteen hours a day and, well, missing so much of life. And his seizures did not cease. The medics advised that perhaps it would be best to reduce the medication and allow him to regain some alertness and enjoy as much of his life as his condition permitted. We agreed.

Recent discussions with his neurologist once more concluded that Marc’s only option to ease the seizures was to increase his medication again. “But that would essentially sedate him again, and his spirit would not soar”, I told them. They replied that the increased dose might help lessen the frequency and severity of his seizures.

That place between a rock and a hard place is familiar to us, and Marc, but what can we do? Do we watch him tormented, as each seizure attacks him like some invisible demon is toying with him, or do we see his spirit and soul slowly wither away without the stimulus that life gives him?

I pray to God that our decision to leave the medication as it is, and to hold his hand, or indeed his violently shaking body through each seizure, is the right choice. Even though the trauma he endures is terrible, once he recovers, there is an opportunity for him to smile. That priceless smile.

I asked the medic, “What will happen to his mind, his very soul, if we allow them to sedate him as before?” “We do not know for certain,” was the answer we could not accept.

Forgive my periods of absence here. It is not how I wanted to nurture our friendships, but you are all in our thoughts and hearts, thanks to the overwhelming support and encouragement you have given us from the beginning.

Real life stories and experiences like this one are captured in my book. Available through Olympia Publishers, Amazon, Bookshop.Org and other good booksellers.