What Happened to Winnipeg’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit – One Year Later and the Only Person to Benefit was Premier Stefanson

On May 10th, 2021, Manitoba's Health and Seniors Care Minister pledged $4 million for a "state-of-the-art," four bed "Enhanced Adult Epilepsy Monitoring Unit" at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg. That was one year ago. Heather Stefanson said, “The expansion of the adult epilepsy monitoring unit at HSC Winnipeg is a pivotal step toward reducing …

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Dear Diary – The Entry I Didn’t Write on September 9th, 1991

None Kirana / My Orange Notebook It was a Tuesday. Tomorrow, September 10th, is 28 years since my first seizure. Right down to the weekday. But what about September 9th? Before my life changed overnight? Before I received the diagnosis of a brain tumour? What would my diary entry have been that night? I'll never …

Brain Tumour Awareness and Balance – Mine was Perfect

I was a figure skater with perfect balance. However, a symptom of a brain tumour is unsteadiness. It's Brain Tumour Awareness Week. Where we attempt to erase the stigma, educate the public, and so forth. The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada wants the public to be aware of the above eight signs. But my symptoms? I …

Bathroom Scales Don’t Determine Your Self-Esteem and Confidence – The Long Climb Back

September 10, 2017. That was the day I told my ex-husband our sixteen year marriage was over. One year later, this is the number on my scale. But it's just a number. I'd gained weight in Edmonton, and I had a closet full of television clothes. When I unceremoniously returned to Manitoba, I'd inch into …

A Moment of Humour – My Epilepsy and Brain Tumours

https://twitter.com/TammyKaratchuk/status/971567089327669248 https://twitter.com/BrainTumourFdn/status/971406288348332038 "Because if you can't laugh at life, you're obviously living in a soup can and no one has a can opener." Tammy W. Karatchuk

A Few Things About Me – I Hope I Chose The Right Jam

It’s a shame to never allow others to understand you as a person. Letting people form their own opinions of you based on assumptions and rumours just plain hurts. For me, I'll clear up some misconceptions. I’m not a snob; I’m shy around unfamiliar people. I’m not a b***h; I’m passionate. So, here’s me in …

A Letter to Myself the Day Before I Turn 15 Years Old – Be Grateful You Have Thick Hair and Great Friends

Dear Almost 15-year-old Tammy, I want you to read this the day before turning 15 years old. In front of the tube TV. Munching on a bag of Orville Redenbacher Caramel popcorn. Probably watching "90210.” The Arborg Skating Club’s competition wrapped up. You won two medals. Enjoy them. Because you won’t compete for awhile. Spoiler …

I’m Exhausted – But It Was Worth It

I can’t shake this fog. I know my body’s been through a lot. My meds were lowered. I had two seizures within four days of each other. Then my meds were raised to normal levels, and I jumped on the ice two days after my release – I mean, discharge. It’s obvious this is an …

Moo Late Night Humour

Today was long. Yet it was short. I basically worked through a thick fog today. Here’s another crack at late night humour: Question: What do you call a cow with no legs? Answer: Ground beef. Aw, poor cow.

A Recap of a Golden Moment – Why I Thanked My Fellow Competitor

I hugged the silver medallist yesterday at the Stony Mountain on Ice Competition. Before the gold medal was strung around my neck, I embraced my competitor and said, “Thank you.” Those words probably left her baffled. In 1989, I won the Interlake Interpretive Competition. Music was chosen by the host committee – in this case …

An Exciting Day – Stony on Ice

Thanks for all your messages of congratulations! Obviously, today was exciting. Anytime you stand on top of the podium, it's exciting. And makes for a tiring evening. More to come tomorrow since a lot happened at the competition.

Stepping Out of the EMU

I’m free! Well, almost. After 11 days in Winnipeg's Health Science Centre’s Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, I'm being released tomorrow. It seems like yesterday when I arrived at the EMU and a technician glued 37 nodules to my skull, and then I was led to my little room. I had two provoked seizures. My usual: awake, …

Making Waves in the EMU

I had my second event. I actually said, "Finally" as I entered it. I lost consciousness for the first time since 1991 - my first seizure. When I came to, my day nurse and my husband were by my side. They are putting me back on my regular dose. Tonight, I'm so weak my husband …

An Exhausted Joke about Bears

Question: What do you call a bear without an ear? Answer: "B." I thought it was funny.

A Tired Joke – aka, To Tired to Write

After yesterday, I'm exhausted. But I wanted to write everyday. So, here's a joke. Late night humour. Once upon a time there were three tomatoes. A Mama, Papa and a Baby. The Baby tomato lagged behind, which prompted the Papa tomato to turn and approach the Baby tomato. And the Papa tomato said "Catch up," …

Pop the Champagne Cork

I had my event. It was a two-minute long seizure. I talked halfway through. Then when it was over, I was a tad out of sorts. I'm good. Thank you to the awesome nurses who rushed by my side. And to my super strong husband for being by my side. And to Ativan. I want …

When There Are No Words – You Write Anyway

I wish I could express myself, But I just can’t today. I’m not sad. I’m not glad. I’m an in between. Sitting here blue-plaid. Watching an EEG screen. My brainwaves on a television. Instead of me. My voice is off-air. Yet a microphone’s installed above me. I wanted to prove them wrong. I would be a …

Wire, Cables, and the Orthopedic Ward – I Don’t Remember Breaking A Leg

Wire. Cables. Everywhere. At least you’re in the right ward. While I sat in the foyer of Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, I glanced at the television above the reception desk. A 42-inch television. If it was meant to relax patients, it wasn't the best idea to have it on CNN. In all fairness, the captions were …

I’d Rather Be Skating – But Here We Are

Twelve days before Stony Mountain on Ice. My first figure skating competition in 25 years. And here I am. Sitting in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Watching my brainwaves on the screen in front of me. With picture-in-picture, 24/7 video surveillance. Gazing at pigeons out my window. What is Winnipeg feeding them? They’re frickin’ huge! Cemented …

The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit – A Whole New World

“Bring some books and your laptop.” The nurse from the EMU made it sound like a vacation. Starting March 21, 2016 I’ll be spending five to 10 glorious days in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. During my stay, I’ll be hooked up to an EEG and EKG monitor while under 24-hour video surveillance. Complete with a …

The Good Stuff is on the Way – Just Wait for It

Sometimes you don’t know what to write, because the words don’t come to you. They don’t flow freely because your mind is cluttered with other things, and it’s hard to focus. And you’ve tried for the last three hours. Without success. And tomorrow’s another day. With hopefully less clutter. And more focus. Because, as my …

Happy Shiny News and the Watershed Phone Call – Good Luck with That

Phone calls. We usually associate early morning calls with negatives. And midnight calls with dire situations. A call at 9:30 p.m.? It's often, “Do you remember so-and-so?” Think back. When was the last time someone called before sunrise to say, “Hey, I’m chillin’ and drinkin’ a Bud. Thought I’d give you a shout.” If this …