Back in December of 2015, my entire life changed. It was about a week before Christmas when I was hanging out with my step-sister. We were laying in her bed and watching movies. I started to feel a weird tingling feeling in my arm. I like to explain it like when your leg falls asleep when it feels like a bunch of tiny needles.
I also remember being very confused, I couldn't form a complete sentence. I remember texting someone and looking at it and knowing it didn't make sense. I was terrified.
I told my step-sister and she said everything was all right. I knew something was wrong. I remember looking up symptoms of strokes because I wasn't making sense with my words. I just shook it off. I tried to relax again. And that's all I remember until I woke up in the hospital.
A nurse came into the room and explained to me that I had a tonic-clonic seizure, which is the strongest kind of seizures. I was so scared. I winced in pain. They explained to me that I fell back on the bed and rolled off and knocked my head against my step-sister's bedside table. I was shocked. I couldn't believe that I really had a seizure.
Luckily for me, my stepmother was home with us when the seizure happened. She knew exactly what to do because my father also had a seizure previously, from a different medical reason. She knew to hold me on my side so I wouldn't choke or harm myself. But the scary thing is that I don't remember any of it.
Even after my seizure, my family was telling me that I refused help from the paramedics and they ended up having to strap me down. My step-sister said I was looking at her but she could tell I wasn't all there. I just keep thinking, where in the world was my soul?
The brain is quite an incredible part of the human body. I went through a traumatic experience and my brain allowed me to forget it. I just remember before and after. However, I wish I could see what my body did during my seizure. I ask my family all the time, "Was I breathing," "Were my eyes open?"
For me, it's so hard to grasp the entire concept of what a seizure is. But basically, your body convulses and your lungs tighten so you cannot breathe at all.
I know this is a very sensitive topic, but Cameron Boyce just recently passed away and his death was caused by a seizure. I read that he died in his sleep so I don't know he if felt it coming as I did. Again, I'm so lucky I had people with me when I had mine because I could've died.
If you are ever in a situation with a person having a seizure, remember to stay calm. DO NOT put a wooden spoon in their mouth. That is a myth. Roll them on their side and hold them close so they do not harm themselves or others. Call 911, immediately.
Seizures are terrifying and I hope that touching lightly on the topic will help those who see seizures occurring to stop and try to help as best they can.
Rest in peace, Cameron.
