Are You There?

Dr. Marian C. Fritzemeier, Ed.D.

Author, Speaker, Educator

"This will be good news," I hope, answering the long-awaited call. It's the nurse from the neurologist's office. "The doctor has reviewed all your records. He's referring you to Stanford Neurology," she reports.

Stanford. Five years ago. My mind flashes back automatically to grand mal seizures that started at, of all places, McDonalds in East Palo Alto. Aren't they supposed to serve Happy Meals there? Next, the terrifying ambulance ride to Stanford Hospital's Emergency Room. Between seizures I weakly plead, "Can you make them stop?"

The nurse interrupts my thoughts. "Ma'am,... Ma'am, are you there?"

"Yes..., I'm here," I hesitantly reply while silently questioning, "God, are You there?"

I'm physically on the phone, but  my mind's recalling my body seizing over and over again for three more hours on a narrow hospital bed shoved somewhere along the ER's neglected hallway. I softly implore, "Why can't they make them stop?" My husband shakes his head while gently holding my hand. Then my body forcefully thrashes again.

The nurse rattles off more information jolting me to the present. "Do you have any questions?" she finally concludes.

"No, ...No questions," I whisper.

I hit end on my cell phone. Did I really just say, "No questions?" Yeah, I've got questions, but not for the nurse. "God, are you serious? Stanford? I can't go back there. Do You remember how traumatic it was? "

Recently I prayed, "Should I continue pursuing medical options or accept the reality of my brain impairment?

You answer, "Stanford Epilepsy AND their Sleep Center?"

Returning to Stanford is the last place I'd choose for medical treatment. Maybe I should've made more specific requests, like, "Should I continue homeopathy treatments? What about acupuncture? Continue supplements? But Stanford?" Last time I was dismissed like a crazy woman voluntarily producing seizures.

I can't force that horrendous day from my thoughts. Then the radiology tech inquires, "Can you make the seizures stop long enough for a CT scan?"

Can I make them stop? For hours my voice begs anyone who vaguely looks associated with a hospital, "Please, please stop my seizures."  Shaking my head No, "I can't make them stop," I mutter.

Finally, a kind soul pushes medicine through my I.V. The seizures stop within seconds. My body is quiet and still, almost lifeless. As my body begins relaxing, calmness returns. Someone directs, "Your C.T. scan is normal. Sign these papers and you can go home."

A second nurse's voice draws me back during another phone call. "We've scheduled you to arrive at the Stanford Neurology & Epilepsy Center on October 15. You'll be staying with us for up to a week," she explains. "We'll be monitoring your brain 24/7 and videotaping you. Do you have any questions?"

Questions? How many can I list? The questions I asked God over five years ago are still unanswered. Sometimes I wonder, "Are you there, God?" But the question I asked Him a few months ago is now answered. Not in a way I expected nor desired. Today He answers in a clear, calm, reassuring voice. "I'm here. I'm sending you to Stanford."

P.S. Stay tuned to discover what happens at Stanford

Image from: Stock.XCHNG www.sxc.hu/ clouds-and-blue-sky 1387467-s. Accessed 4/18/2014.