Comments on Women of Mystery: A Writer's Brain

Clare -Ah, but then they'd have to attach 31 elect...

2008-05-09T10:41:00.000-04:00

Clare -

Ah, but then they'd have to attach 31 electrodes to a rather different, and less convenient, part of my anatomy!

Laura- Thanks for this informative post. Epilepsy...

2008-05-09T10:37:00.000-04:00

Laura- Thanks for this informative post. Epilepsy's a 'pain in the tush?' I had a totally different idea of what parts were involved. Talk about supermodel stupid! Rather than those boring sounding 5-day video observations, may I recommend sitting on an inflatable donut?

Terrie -If I can't be stupid, can I at least be th...

2008-05-08T22:35:00.000-04:00

Terrie -

If I can't be stupid, can I at least be thin? Not that I'm enormous, but I could really use a hand getting rid of the steroid weight!

Bag Lady -

Tegretol was a wonder drug for me. Unfortunately, I had abdominal surgery in 2001 and was NPO (nothing by mouth at all, not even water) for 8 days, which meant no drugs because you can't put Tegretol in an IV. They think that's when my seizures changed and the Tegretol stopped being effective. So chances are it's still doing its thing for your friend!

I got in touch with a woman the other day I haven't talked to in three years. Her name came up and I thought I'd give her a call. It was tons of fun, so I recommend seeing if you can reconnect!

Thanks for sharing with us, Laura. I hope the reca...

2008-05-08T22:05:00.000-04:00

Thanks for sharing with us, Laura. I hope the recalibration goes well. Years ago, I had a friend with epilepsy. She was on Tegretol at that time. We lost touch when I moved away (she's a lousy letter-writer!), and I've often wondered about how she's making out now. She had petit-mal's all the time, so I learned to just repeat myself. Mind you, most of what came out of my mouth in those days was drivel, anyway, so she really wasn't missing much! (Ha, in those days....not much has changed, really!)

Laura, You couldn't be stupid if you swallowed ten...

2008-05-08T21:31:00.000-04:00

Laura,

You couldn't be stupid if you swallowed ten years supply of the supermodel drug all at once. :)

We're all in your corner. I admire your stick-to-itiveness with all this going on in your life.

I remember how tortuous the hives were for you, but you triumphed and I have a feeling, you always will.

Terrie

Thanks, Elaine!

2008-05-08T21:12:00.000-04:00

Thanks, Elaine!

Your brain, to me, is just fine, Laura. Don't let ...

2008-05-08T21:05:00.000-04:00

Your brain, to me, is just fine, Laura. Don't let them recalibrate it too much!

LOL! It sounds so condensed in the post...really,...

2008-05-08T20:54:00.000-04:00

LOL! It sounds so condensed in the post...really, it happened over a very long period, and I am certain easily as much has happened to all of us.

The "recalibration" is really just a test. They want to see whether the drugs have controlled the seizure activity, which is why they video at the same time...the last time I did this, there was NOTHING on the tape, I never even twitched, but I had 50 little split-second seizure episodes in the space of an hour.

I suspect the results this time won't be so exaggerated, but that the Keppra isn't doing the full job and they'll want to add something to the "cocktail." I am rooting for the drug (I forget the name) that my brother's neurologist calls the "supermodel drug" because it makes you thin and stupid. Since I've never in my life been either of those things, I think it might be great to have a new experience!

Well, that's more than I ever imagined could happe...

2008-05-08T20:42:00.000-04:00

Well, that's more than I ever imagined could happen to such a strong woman of great brainpower. Getting your brain recalibrated sounds like an amazing medical trick and a most promising move. Sure do hope it does the trick.

With all this state-of-the-art examination of the human brain (yours) I'm thinking you might end up with some sci-fi mysteries.

Back in my class room days I asked my bright-eyed students to consider going into computer-based medicine. I need a google implant to help me find all the stuff I keep losing track of. If you've got a doc with those kinds of powers, let me know.

I will forever be in awe of how much you've accomplished in these last few years. And you've handled it all with great good humor. What a gal you are! So glad I know you! So glad you've put up with all this crap so you could get back to "normal" - whatever that is. At least you'll never be boring!

Mega hopes for phenomenal success with this recalibration therapy. You're one phenomenal gal.