I'm standing still, alone on the black top of an empty street. A single lamp overhead casts a sepia tone through the dense fog settling in around me. My eyes look slowly from side to side as I try to make sense of the quiet, peaceful calm I feel despite the horrific awareness that my child has died. The surreal feelings remain as I roll over and spoon his little body next to me in bed, relieved … [Read more...] about The Offers
san diego epilepsy
The Best Luck
"Good luck," were his parting words. "This will be the rest of your life," said the neurologist who performed our second opinion, offering the grim diagnosis of Doose Syndrome. I had no reason not to believe him. I'd already googled the hell out of "drop attacks" and knew. "But what about this video?" I naively countered, hoping he might watch it with me and get excited too. But he firmly shook … [Read more...] about The Best Luck
Welcome Friend
When I saw I'd missed 3 calls from an old friend in the middle of the night, I almost didn't call her back. My name starts with "A" so I am often butt-dialed. But I was on vacation alone in Washington, so her timing was perfect. Sitting on the edge of a forest, overlooking the ocean and having a long, uninterrupted conversation with an old friend sounded dreamy. "Who is this?" she answered … [Read more...] about Welcome Friend
Solid Gold: Tips From Dr. Bonni
The most commonly searched terms that get parents here are: "CBD", "Kids" and "Dosing". They're asking the internet because doctors certainly aren't telling them. Except as a social worker, I ethically can't tell you either. What I can do, however, is empower you with the tools and resources you need to figure it out yourself. I promise, once you get the hang of it, you will feel even stronger and … [Read more...] about Solid Gold: Tips From Dr. Bonni
Status Update
I was suppose to be there to pick him up at 2 o'clock. Except the entire day was setting me up. A $13.47 errand took me to 3 different shops across town. When I got the call from the school at 10 past, I was certain it was just to reassure my son that I was on my way. Instead, it was that call. The worst call. "An 8 1/2 minute seizure on the playground at recess. The ambulance is on their way. He … [Read more...] about Status Update
“Happy” Epilepsy Awareness Month
November is Epilepsy Awareness Month and I apologize for not posting earlier. I really tried but found myself bored while reviewing the usual. All stuff we need to share, I'm sure, but I just wasn't feeling any of it. Struggling with my motivation and finding a topic to create awareness around, I sat down to write and decided to simply start where I'm at. Checking in I noticed I'm really, … [Read more...] about “Happy” Epilepsy Awareness Month
CBD Calculator App
I love the moms in our group because we are the women who take matters into our own hands. We all get asked a lot of the same questions over and over again. How to dose is a big one.* Most of us start with the spreadsheet calculator shared by the Realm of Caring. Two years ago I used a scratch piece of paper shoved in a binder to do the math. My friend Olivia? She taught herself how to code and … [Read more...] about CBD Calculator App
Is Medical Marijuana Legal For Children In California?
If you are a parent treating your child with cannabis in Southern California, then you are probably a patient of Dr. Bonni Goldstein's. Or, you are on her months-long wait list. We all agree, our families are very lucky to have an expert in pediatric cannabis in our own backyard. She has been recommending cannabis to children in our community and supporting our parents for years now. And since my … [Read more...] about Is Medical Marijuana Legal For Children In California?
Looking for it
"You're looking for certainty," my son's neurologist reflected. I lowered by chin and raised my eyebrows with pursed lips. I've been Buddhish for over 20 years and work in the field of death and dying. I'm pretty sure I don't believe in certainty. And certainly not when it comes to epilepsy treatment. I saw this post on brilliant Elizabeth's blog a couple days after this appointment and made … [Read more...] about Looking for it
The Hearing
I woke up multitasking Wednesday morning. While making the boys breakfast, I bounced back and forth between Facebook and my text messages. In that exact moment, The Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control was wrapping up their hearing on research and the potential medicinal benefits of cannabidiol. Our community was reacting online. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYOcDouVkG4 If you … [Read more...] about The Hearing