HOLIDAYS

Well we have not long returned from our holidays. We went to Keswick in the Lake District with my husband's family. Twelve of us in all (including two babies). We had a lovely time. There were Grandparents, aunties, uncles and cousins. A real family week away. We all got on really well. well for the most part. A couple of blips but considering how many of us there was we did really well.

We all managed to get some fell walking in. Rhiannon had a couple of walks up some steep fells on her Daddy's back. She thinks that riding in his back pack is hilarious and spends the whole time tapping his head and laughing whilst having a good nosey about. The weather held out quite well for us and we got some excellent views of the Lakes.

We did a few more touristy things as well. I would recommend taking children to Trotters World of animals if you are in the area. All the kids on our trip really enjoyed themselves. They also enjoyed a boat trip on Derwent Water. Plus fish and chips at the Keswickian in town are not to be missed. I cannot visit Keswick without a trip there these days. A bit of a tradition for Matthew and myself.

Unfortunately I am not as fit as I used to be so I couldn't climb any really big mountains like Skiddaw. Still that would have been too long a trip for Rhiannon and I would have had to leave her all day rather than a few hours. Now I am back at work I don't like ot let her out of my sight too long.

Back to Work

Well I went back to work last Monday - 3rd March. I was really nervous. Not only have I been off on maternity leave so was concerned how much legal stuff I was out of date on (I work as a Claims Adjuster), but it was also a brand new job so there were new computer systems, company procedure, blah blah to learn. Very intimidating. I also had to contend with leaving Rhiannon all day. whilst she has had the odd day with her grandparents this would be the longest I had been apart form her.

As it happens the first week has gone really well. Rhiannon goes to nursery four days a week and her Granny looks after her on a Friday. She has really taken to nursery and gets quite excited when she is dropped off as she can't wait to get her hands on the toys that are waiting for her. She has been really good on an evening and is really pleased to see Matthew and me. We get a little time to play, she has her supper, a little play in the bath, story and bed. We have managed to keep to her evening routine and hopefully she will continue to be content with the situation.

My new work colleagues are really nice. It is probably the friendliest office I have worked in to date. Hopefully this opinion will last. forever and I will finally be in a job I really enjoy.

I am hoping the job and situation will be stress free and the commuting does not make me too tired as I have been fit free for quite a few months now. All fingers and toes crossed.

Well that is all for now.

:-)

Redundancy

I was ready to return to work on the 1st February. I had the nursery sorted and had tried to mentally prepare myself for leaving Rhiannon all day but it looks like I will not be returning to work. I am going to be made redundant. Well I cannot formally say this as I am in the"consultancy period" and if I can come up with any great business ideas or they find something for me at another office I could potentially still be employed. However I am sure they would have offered another position if one were there, instead of putting me on notice that I may be made redundant. Still I guess they are just following the rules. Whoever made them up seems to think that going all around the houses is a great idea. I have my next meeting this Thursday and should hopefully be told in more definite language what happens next.

It is all really stressful. I am owed three months notice whether they want me to work or not.Whilst I am sure I can find another job in that time (even if it is something to tide me over) it is all a load of stress and anxiety that I could do without. Especially as this could potentially aggravate my epilepsy and I haven't had a seizure for about three and a half months now. I am hoping that I won't have any for a long time now. I used to have a break through seizure every few years which is manageable. I would like to get back to that.

So I must now think positive, happy and relaxing thoughts. Looking at Rhiannon definitely helps. I think we have the cutest 6 month old alive. She is always smiling. On the plus side of course i get to spend a little longer at home with her so it is not all bad.

I have just done and interview for Pregnancy and Birth magazine. The lady I spoke to was really nice. I hope the article shows that women with epilepsy are just as capable as everyone else at being parents and that the pregnancy doesn't have to be any different from non-epileptic Mums. Still we shall see.

Well I had better sign off for now.

Lisa

:-)

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