Jillian's Seizure Service Dog
Donation protected
My story begins over 13 years ago when I was diagnosed with epilepsy. I have had my ups and downs, but lately more downs than ups. I went to 5 neurologists before I found one that was willing to actually listen to me as opposed to “here is a script for your seizure meds, see me again in 6 months”. What a relief it is to find the right doctor. You would expect them to immediately give you the perfect medication and everything goes back to normal. Right? Well, that is not exactly how epilepsy works. I have been on well over 15 different medications and combinations of medications. Some worked for a little while and others were moved to the “allergy” list.
I was admitted to a hospital in Boston for 10 days while they tried to determine exactly where my seizures originated from. Reason being they wanted to remove that part of my brain. Yes, they wanted to remove part of my brain. Thank God that didn’t work out because my seizures are “complex” and basically take over most of my brain.
Next option was installing a Vagal Nerve Stimulator aka VNS in hopes that it would stop my seizures. A VNS is essentially a pacemaker for my brain and just like a pacemaker for your heart, it sends electrical current to my Vagal Nerve in an attempt to “shock” my brain into submission! The first VNS surgery took place in 2007 at Rhode Island Hospital. That surgery was rough and I had difficulty speaking and moving my neck afterwards. Did it help? Yes, but I still had seizures.
During this time I continued to work until 2009 when I finally went out on medical disability and eventually SSDI. Being out of work is truly awful and makes you feel useless. So I slowly went back to school and took classes in hopes I would return to work, and better myself while I had the opportunity. Move forward several years and in March 2014 I finally graduated with my AS is Respiratory Therapy. Excited doesn’t even begin to explain how I felt.
I began applying for jobs that were per diem in hopes that I could work on days I felt good. Unfortunately, that didn’t last because we found a lump in my left breast and I was immediately scheduled for a mammogram. This was the first mammogram for me and I had no idea what to expect. While doing the mammogram, my VNS was destroyed and I had to have it replaced immediately. So my second VNS surgery was in September 2014 where they removed the old VNS and part of my vagal nerve. The surgery itself went great but the lead (wiring) connecting the generator (pacemaker) to my Vagal Nerve is faulty. They are unable to replace the lead because my Vagal Nerve is out of room (too short) and it can not be cut again. Is it helping me with reducing my seizures? Yes, but I still have seizures. The faulty VNS lead is electrocuting me several times per day (imagine crossing the wires on a car battery) but I choose to leave it on because it is reducing my seizures.
So I am now maxed out on seizure meds, have a faulty but working VNS, brain surgery is out, and still have seizures so what do I do? I decided to try the homeopathic route and went on the Ketogenic Diet for 7 months. It helped but was almost impossible to stick to much longer. I am now pretty much out of options and still need help.
In comes my angel aka Midnight (we are renaming him Brody). Brody is a highly trained seizure response dog who will become my service dog next summer. At this time I am dependent on my husband for taking me essentially everywhere. Thankfully I have a lot of support and backup from my family. I should say my true angels are my mother in law and my husband. My mother in law is always available and more than happy to help me when my seizures take the wheel. My husband, Eric, unfortunately gets the short end of the stick in our marriage! He takes care of me and loves me more than I could ever expect or ask for (I love him even more). I am truly thankful.
Brody is going to make things easier on all of us. A service dog will give me the ability to leave the house without panicking about having a seizure alone and nobody knowing what was wrong with me. He would also help me not fall to the floor quite so often when I get dizzy. A service dog would have the ability to roll me on my side or call for help if I vomit during a seizure. Brody will also have the ability to lay on top of me after a seizure and provide more comfort then imaginable. I am severely depressed and anxious because of my epilepsy. This is rather new and I am having difficulty dealing with everything. I am terrified to leave my house and even scared to be home alone. A service dog would help my confidence is being able to function at a more independent level.
I never ask anyone for anything and feel much more comfortable giving to others. So writing this and asking for anything makes me uneasy, but getting Brody is more important than some uneasy feelings. I am not sure if many people are aware of the cost of getting a service animal, but it is very expensive. More than I can write a check out for anyway. I need to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of his training alone. I know many of you can not afford to donate money and I completely understand. Perhaps you could pass along my story instead! I am hopeful to be able to raise enough money by spring to pay off my Brody!
I hope my story reached at least one person who needed to hear it. We can all get through our struggles, but sometimes need a helping hand.
I was admitted to a hospital in Boston for 10 days while they tried to determine exactly where my seizures originated from. Reason being they wanted to remove that part of my brain. Yes, they wanted to remove part of my brain. Thank God that didn’t work out because my seizures are “complex” and basically take over most of my brain.
Next option was installing a Vagal Nerve Stimulator aka VNS in hopes that it would stop my seizures. A VNS is essentially a pacemaker for my brain and just like a pacemaker for your heart, it sends electrical current to my Vagal Nerve in an attempt to “shock” my brain into submission! The first VNS surgery took place in 2007 at Rhode Island Hospital. That surgery was rough and I had difficulty speaking and moving my neck afterwards. Did it help? Yes, but I still had seizures.
During this time I continued to work until 2009 when I finally went out on medical disability and eventually SSDI. Being out of work is truly awful and makes you feel useless. So I slowly went back to school and took classes in hopes I would return to work, and better myself while I had the opportunity. Move forward several years and in March 2014 I finally graduated with my AS is Respiratory Therapy. Excited doesn’t even begin to explain how I felt.
I began applying for jobs that were per diem in hopes that I could work on days I felt good. Unfortunately, that didn’t last because we found a lump in my left breast and I was immediately scheduled for a mammogram. This was the first mammogram for me and I had no idea what to expect. While doing the mammogram, my VNS was destroyed and I had to have it replaced immediately. So my second VNS surgery was in September 2014 where they removed the old VNS and part of my vagal nerve. The surgery itself went great but the lead (wiring) connecting the generator (pacemaker) to my Vagal Nerve is faulty. They are unable to replace the lead because my Vagal Nerve is out of room (too short) and it can not be cut again. Is it helping me with reducing my seizures? Yes, but I still have seizures. The faulty VNS lead is electrocuting me several times per day (imagine crossing the wires on a car battery) but I choose to leave it on because it is reducing my seizures.
So I am now maxed out on seizure meds, have a faulty but working VNS, brain surgery is out, and still have seizures so what do I do? I decided to try the homeopathic route and went on the Ketogenic Diet for 7 months. It helped but was almost impossible to stick to much longer. I am now pretty much out of options and still need help.
In comes my angel aka Midnight (we are renaming him Brody). Brody is a highly trained seizure response dog who will become my service dog next summer. At this time I am dependent on my husband for taking me essentially everywhere. Thankfully I have a lot of support and backup from my family. I should say my true angels are my mother in law and my husband. My mother in law is always available and more than happy to help me when my seizures take the wheel. My husband, Eric, unfortunately gets the short end of the stick in our marriage! He takes care of me and loves me more than I could ever expect or ask for (I love him even more). I am truly thankful.
Brody is going to make things easier on all of us. A service dog will give me the ability to leave the house without panicking about having a seizure alone and nobody knowing what was wrong with me. He would also help me not fall to the floor quite so often when I get dizzy. A service dog would have the ability to roll me on my side or call for help if I vomit during a seizure. Brody will also have the ability to lay on top of me after a seizure and provide more comfort then imaginable. I am severely depressed and anxious because of my epilepsy. This is rather new and I am having difficulty dealing with everything. I am terrified to leave my house and even scared to be home alone. A service dog would help my confidence is being able to function at a more independent level.
I never ask anyone for anything and feel much more comfortable giving to others. So writing this and asking for anything makes me uneasy, but getting Brody is more important than some uneasy feelings. I am not sure if many people are aware of the cost of getting a service animal, but it is very expensive. More than I can write a check out for anyway. I need to raise $20,000 to cover the cost of his training alone. I know many of you can not afford to donate money and I completely understand. Perhaps you could pass along my story instead! I am hopeful to be able to raise enough money by spring to pay off my Brody!
I hope my story reached at least one person who needed to hear it. We can all get through our struggles, but sometimes need a helping hand.
Organizer
Jillian Michaels Thorpe
Organizer
Fall River, MA