Liora's interview
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How did all start?
I was unwell for several years with no clear diagnosis. Then I lost my sense of smell. Reading up on this on the internet I read it might be a sign of Parkinsons disease. Since my mother, father and grandfather all had Parkinsons I went to see a neurologist who sent me for a BMI. This revealed a 7 cm turmor on my olfactory nerve. I decided it was important to remove it which happened in Sept 2004 in SF, USA. 6 mo, later I had my first grand mal seizure. I have had these periodically over the years and in the last year (with some additional stress) have seen an increase in number and frequency
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Grand mal seizures resulting from the resection of a benign 7 cm brain tumor
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Not sure how to answer thiis
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Everyone has tried to help but there seems to be a lack of information about treatment for epilepsy. I tried anti-convulsives unsucessfully. Am now taking CBD but the seizures continue
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Planning for the future is an issue. Some of my seizures have been "absence seizures" and since I live in a very rural place there is potentially some danger if I were to get out of the house alone during an absence seizure
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
I have some trepidation about revealing the epilepsy to the people with whom I work as I don't know if they will react badly. My close friends and family are all aware and understand and are supportive.
What things have you stopped doing?
Driving the car, traveling by airplane of late.
What do you think about the future?
It is hard to plan the future. I want to continue working and living a good life and begin to travel again soon. Not sure how possible this will be
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The eight years I spent co-directing the Caravana Arcoiris por la Paz in Latin America were some of the best. Also the early years with my husband developing Gaia University and running it.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Travel more.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Marvillous with a few limitations.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Keep a positive attitude as much as possible. Be grateful for being alive and live as fully as you can.
