Christmas and New Year

We have had a lovely Christmas. Rhiannon hasn't really noticed the Christmas tree or its twinkling lights. Perhaps next year she will be more interested. She was, however, interested in the tearing noise of opening presents, and so appeared to be quite excited by everything. Matthew and I were fairly restrained and bought her bath toys and clothes, but we have quite large families so she had a rather large pile of presents under the tree.

Epilepsy wise there is nothing new to report. Everything seems to be going OK. I haven't had a fit for a while now. I have been asked by the Pregnancy & Birth Magazine if I am interested in doing an interview for them about being pregnant and having epilepsy. Rhiannon and I were even asked to a photo shoot in London for the article. I have had to decline the photo shoot and offer some of my own photos as getting to London from Yorkshire with a five and a half month old baby is far too stressful. The train to London is a nightmare when travelling alone without trying to keep her amused for several hours. Then there is trying to get around London. I am simply too chicken for such an adventure. Hopefully they will still be interested and my husband's photographs will be acceptable.

Well I am writing this on New Years Eve. I am not going out. I haven't had a drink in over 16 months now. I am not too bothered about having a drink but as my epilepsy finally seems to be settling down I am loathe to have one in case it triggers something off. I haven't had a seizure caused by drink, but then I never really drank to excess anyway. So hubby and I have opted for a nice quiet evening in. Most new parents probably do the same - or am I boring? I shall probably celebrate with a glass of lemonade and a whole chocolate orange to myself :-)

Well I don't really do New Years resolutions as if you are going to do something you don't need to wait for a special date, however I am going to try and work out how to put photographs on the blog to make it look a bit less stark. Don't hold me to it though....

Happy New Year to you all.

Lisa

Epilepsy nurse & Christmas

I went to see the epilepsy nurse at Leeds Royal infirmary yesterday. I was referred to her when I had my fits after giving birth. Everything has pretty much calmed down now. I haven't had another fit for a while. I kept the appointment though to see if she had any parenting tips to offer about taking care of Rhiannon.

The nurse was really nice and very helpful. She was able to tell me that the epilepsy register for pregnant women taking KEPPRA has 70 pregnancies registered now, and there have been no abnormalities. Whilst it is still early days and this may change it is looking good. She didn't have any suggestions on top of what we are doing to keep Rhiannon safe, and said we were doing a good job. I don't think she thought she had been very helpful but it was reassuring to be told we were doing everything we should be. She also said to ring her if I needed advice in the future.

I did tell her my husband had wanted to come to and she said if he could not get out of work or wanted to ask her anything generally then he could ring her too. Matthew was very pleased with this as if I am out of it after a fit for a few days then he could sometimes do with a reference point to talk things through himself.

Well Christmas is coming. We are putting our tree up tonight - hooray. I can't wait to see Rhiannon's face when the lights are twinkling on the tree. I guess I will be very disappointed if she is not interested.

Well that is all for now.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Lisa