From our partner Irene Tarragó
KEEP WALKING
As I mentioned in my last post on this wonderful blog, I was waiting for the results of the biopsies taken from the parts removed during surgery. Well, everything came back negative. However, after consulting with the oncologist, I now know that I have to undergo five sessions of radiation therapy and that I have to undergo hormonal treatment for five years. I’m more afraid of the latter, because of the side effects the oncologist himself told me I could experience. But I’ll face it thinking that it won’t happen to me. Or that it will all be very easy. Wish me luck. I’ll start on October 27th.
In November, I plan to start going to the gym, especially to do strength training, which is what they recommended. I’m going to get in shape. At my age. It’s never too late if the luck is good. And I plan to take advantage of this setback.
I have close examples of people who have overcome cancer, and I’m no less, no more. In fact, of all of them, I’m the one with the best diagnosis and the least amount of treatment. So yes, I am privileged once again.
We are approaching November, Epilepsy Awareness Month. I still notice in many conversations I have about this disease that it is completely unknown and that, unfortunately, what has reached society the most are hoaxes and lies.
It is a widespread belief that if you see a person having an epileptic seizure, the first thing you should do is put something in their mouth. NO. THOSE DO NOT PUT ANYTHING IN THEIR MOUTH. WE DO NOT SWALLOW OUR TONGUE. AND THE HARM OF PUTTING SOMETHING IN CAN BE WORSE THAN BITING IT, WHICH IS THE WORST THING THAT CAN HAPPEN TO US, BECAUSE WHEN WE HAVE A SEIZURE, WE TENSE UP, OUR WHOLE BODY BECOMES RIGID, AND FORCING OUR MOUTHS TO PUT SOMETHING IN CAN CAUSE OUR JAW TO BREAK OR CAUSE US TO BIT THE PERSON TRYING.
I’ve put this in bold and capital letters so it’s clearer. I hope this idea spreads during the month of November. There are more hoaxes, such as the idea that we have to restrain ourselves, which, for the same reason as putting something in our mouth, is completely counterproductive. But anyway, let’s take it one step at a time. Point by point.
We see year after year that epilepsy remains a great unknown. There are no awareness campaigns, the authorities pay no attention to us. Let’s see if the associations will be kind enough to join forces to gain more strength and be able to demand that the administration increase awareness of this disease.
I will continue my life’s journey with the strength I’ve had up to now, thanks to people like those who make up the MJN family, who allow me to contribute to these writings, with the great work they do both in awareness and in improving the quality of life of people with epilepsy, with the organization created for this purpose; like my family, whose support I’ve always had; my friends, who have always been there and now, with cancer, I’ve discovered I may have even more friends, as I’ve received calls and support from the most unexpected people; and life in general, because life is wonderful, with its ups and downs, which are what spice up our existence. A positive attitude. Always.
Irene Tarragó Pascau
