Poetic Epilepsy: One Patient's Experiences Put into Poems for All

By Greg Van De Moortele

My name is Greg Van De Moortele, and the purpose of this book, is to provide you over fifty of the Epilepsy related poems I have written.

I have used these poems, to express my knowledge, experiences, and personal feelings, to not only help other patients, their family members, and friends, but to also give the general public a better understanding of Epilepsy, and the obstacles which can accompany the disorder.

I have had Epilepsy since the age of nine, and was in the operating room for the tenth time in February, 2012. Prior to this surgery, I had undergone four minor surgeries to my brain, two major surgeries, in which parts of my left temporal and frontal lobes were removed, and the remaining was for the Vagus Nerve Stimulator.

This tenth surgery resulted from the discovery made, only weeks earlier. My regular Neurological appointment began as normal, but when the higher than regular number of seizures was seen, the Vagus Nerve Stimulator was quickly checked on. Only then was it learned the Stimulator was not working. My Neurologist and his assistant individually had similar remarks.

If something is going to go wrong, it seems to always happen to you.

Considering everything the Epilepsy has put me through, what I was told, was so very true. X-rays were taken and sent to the manufacturer in Texas. The response was not a good one, as all three parts of my VNS would need to be replaced.

Once it was learned the entire device was going to have to be replaced, not only did my Neurologists say it, but a couple of friends, and people from the Epilepsy Surgery web site, also said, With all of the seizures, surgeries, and experiences you have gone through, you should write a book.

This was something I had considered, and wanted to do for years, but had never been able to take the final step. However, there was a complication during the replacement, which was very terrifying, and it is what brought to mind, Write the book while you still can.

During the month away from work, due to the complications I began spending all of my time, creating a time line of all the major events of my life, and then began writing the book. While writing my true story, ideas for poems constantly came out of nowhere.

As I have now completed over fifty Epilepsy related poems, I want to get these out to patients, and the friends and family members of patients. It gives them a completely different perspective on the disorder.

One thing that has really been noticeable, after my second major brain surgery in 2006, on the left temporal Lobe, is the fact my right temporal lobe has seemed to become more dominate. I do not know if it is to make up for the severe impact the seizures and surgeries have had on my memory, but my imagination has continued to expand.

Any time I am not keeping busy, my imagination soars, thinking of things to do paintings of, or write poems about. These are but two, of the many artistic things I do, and I want to be able to use these skills, not only for myself, but to support, and give hope to all other patients.

I have helped support a number of patients who are interested in, being tested for, or undergoing surgery for their Epilepsy. The Vagus Nerve Stimulator implant is a treatment which is far from common. I have had one implanted since 2001, and have gone from the weakest settings, all of the way to the maximum settings. The fourth surgery for the Vagus Nerve Stimulator took place, in 2012.

This is another topic I am able to help others with.

One of the most helpful things a patient can obtain is friends, in the same age range, who have Epilepsy. Somebody who truly understands what the other is going through. Whether it be a seizure, a change in medications, or one of the continuous list of things patients face, if they have support from on

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483640150

Greg Van De Moortele

Out of nowhere, with no certain cause, the first seizure struck Greg Van De Moortele at the age of nine. Diagnosed with Epilepsy, he was given all of the positive statistics making him feel the seizures would end. He spent the following eight years trying all of the different medications available, but his Epilepsy was not able to be controlled by prescription drugs, and the seizures continued to increase in both number and length. Since that time, he has been in the operating room ten times. The majority of these surgeries were minor, but others involved removal of part of his left frontal lobe, and twice his left temporal lobe. Along with the surgeries, Greg has tried all of the medications for temporal lobe Epilepsy, and has had a Vagus Nerve Stimulator implanted. The settings of his Vagus Nerve Stimulator are at the maximum. This has reduced his seizures drastically in number and has not been in Status Epilepticus since. In this book you will read some of the poems he has written to support others, and give a number of different ways to look at Epilepsy.

Book preview

THE STORM

By Greg Van De Moortele

All of a sudden

The sky becomes dark and gray

The water becomes still

On this dark cloudy day.

Not long after

A storm takes place

There is wind, thunder, and lightning

As the waves begin to race.

A bright flash of lightning

Streaks through the sky

And the loud rumble of thunder

Is very close by.

Similar electrical storms

Can occur within your head

It may focus on one area

Or it may quickly spread.

Minor seizures resemble showers

That can quickly pass by

Just after the shower

There is a bright blue sky.

Besides the small showers

Nature’s storms may be severe

Like the Grand Mal seizure

Which has always been feared.

The aftermath of the storm

Depends on its strength

The recovery time of a seizure

Depends on its severity and length.

Controlling Mother Nature’s storm

Is truly a crazy thought

But hopefully in the near future

Controlling and curing Epilepsy will not.

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Most readers probably already know the medical views, and descriptions of Epilepsy. You know how seizure is caused by a sudden electrical burst from within the brain, and anybody can have such a burst, resulting in a seizure.

There are a great number of seizure types, and patients may experience more than one variety.

The following five poems were written, with the intention, to give a completely different perspective of what is taking place within the head of someone before, during, and after a seizure has taken place.

Each one analyzes particular objects, or events, and shows their resemblance, or symbolization of patients, and seizures.

COMPARISON

Gazing upon from a distance

The snow covered mountain is bold

But beneath its beauty

Remain many stories untold.

Also known as a snow slide

Avalanches can be minor, or great,

As the snow tumbles down the mountain

More can accumulate.

Another hazard to life, and property,

Is a forest fire

These spark up from one area

Spreading as they desire.

Either of these natural disasters

Can occur at any time

Each resulting in great fear

Wishing the situation could be refined.

Just as those catastrophes

Will strike without warn

An Epileptic seizure can do the same

Some patients then mourn.

Forest fires, and avalanches,

May be light, or severe,

When a seizure first begins

The intensity is not always