You’re in the kitchen, narrating, Telling us, your mom and I, the story of your day. I’m not looking at you, Listening as I focus on a task at the kitchen table, As we prep for dinner. I hear it first. The normal rhythm of your voice, With its recurrent underlying “buzzing,” created by the VNS in your chest, beneath the skin, Your vagus nerve stimulation device, Your “cybernetic” implant. I hear that normal rhythm abruptly change to A single syllable, a single sound. Repeated… rapidly… I turn my gaze, And see your mouth trying to move, Fighting against your jaw as it clenches, Making that disconcerting sound, A sound that doesn’t belong in conversation. I see your body tense, Even through your hoodie and sweats. I see your hands begin to ball in fists, And your arms bend at the elbows. I see your body start to jerk, And your eyes roll back. I see you crumple to the floor. I feel myself moving towards you. I see myself stopping your head, From hitting too hard against the tile. All the while my brain, Is still back at the table, Half focused on the previous task. Until I hear your mother’s voice, “It’s a grand mal!
My high school friend had this regular experience with his son almost daily until the near magic brain stimulator was provided by an Oklahoma neurologist. Years later his son's speech pattern is noticeably impacted for ten seconds or so a few times an hour. Just an odd tone change but no more seizures! Just slightly short of miraculous!
My high school friend had this regular experience with his son almost daily until the near magic brain stimulator was provided by an Oklahoma neurologist. Years later his son's speech pattern is noticeably impacted for ten seconds or so a few times an hour. Just an odd tone change but no more seizures! Just slightly short of miraculous!
Yes, powerful and moving.
Powerful (I know; sounds trite.) Thank you for sharing.
My son has this - it’s called a VNS. It helps, but hasn’t fully controlled his seizures- alone or with meds.