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Geoff Delderfield Photography | all galleries >> Other Galleries >> Old stuff >> Past it > 30th March
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30-MAR-2004

30th March

EEG

This morning I spent an hour looking like the inside of my PC. I had an EEG to measure my brain waves. A wonderful procedure involving 20 electrodes placed about my scalp while I laid perfectly still and a nurse ordered me to open my eyes, then close my eyes, then open my eyes, then close my eyes etc. etc. Then I had to cause hyperventelation by panting (!!) until I nearly passed out and my hands started tingling. Finally I endured 10 minutes of a strobe light flashing into my eyes at increasing frequencies again whilst opening and closing my eyes. Great fun!

I've been unwell for quite some time now and been signed off work for 6 months so far. I've been feeling very detached and tired and often feel on the edge of conciousness. It's truely horrible at times. Every morning I wake and have about 3 hours of feeling groggy, as if I've been drugged.

I've been seeing a psychiatrist and several doctors. They think it may be a type of epilepsy called Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. I was tested for epilepsy 3 years ago because I felt like this before (although not as bad as this time round) but that was clear. I'm kind of hoping it is epilepsy - at least I'll know what's wrong with me.

On Thursday I'm having a CT scan of my brain to check for anything physically wrong such as a Tumor etc. I had a CT scan the same time as my last EEG and that was clear. I really hope this one will be too. I can't help worrying though - then again I am a bit of a worrier!

Anyway, here's a picture I took of me wired up. The nurse said it was the first time anyone had asked if they could take a photo of themselves whilst hooked up to the electrodes. Strange, I would have thought everyone would want to do that.................

FINGERS CROSSED!

*UDATE* The tests were clear - so it's not Epylepsy then!

Minolta DiMAGE 7Hi
1/8s f/2.8 at 7.2mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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RodTO07-Apr-2004 06:35
Be well, Geoff! My positive thoughts are with you!
robin statfeld02-Apr-2004 21:20
Sending my positive thoughts your way!
Robin Reid31-Mar-2004 22:19
Fare thee well good man. Prayers and good vibes to you.
Guest 31-Mar-2004 17:10
How do you found the strenght to take the photo I don't know, but it is lovely. I hope everything turns out ok, will keep fingers crossed!
Guest 31-Mar-2004 00:41
Very nice photo...and I will be praying for you! I hope for you to know what it is soon! :-)
Ray :)31-Mar-2004 00:09
Geoff: I recognised this immediately, as I suffered from epilepsy between the ages of 11 and 25. I had several EEG's including in the years since as I still have to take the pills to prevent any recurrence. I actually had to visit the neuroligist earlier this month to check my medication levels, and I was half-hoping to have an EEG just to get the photo! I am also a worrier, but I have learnt you just have to be strong and positive.
I'm rooting for you Geoff!

And yes, this looks good in black and white!
Linda Vich30-Mar-2004 23:24
You have definitely been through a rough time . . . I hope everything turns out well for you, Geoff!

Linda V.
Guest 30-Mar-2004 22:35
Wow, hope you feel better.
Guest 30-Mar-2004 22:21
Geoff,
Wow. What a telling photo. Thank you for sharing something so personal.
John Buffin30-Mar-2004 22:12
Stay strong.
I hope they can fix what has been bothering you.
Guest 30-Mar-2004 21:38
My fingers crosed as well. Hope everything turnes out well.
Avito:)
Guest 30-Mar-2004 20:37
I'm sorry to hear that you have been unwell for such a long time - it must be a very trying time. Hope you get good news about this soon.
Ron Lutz II30-Mar-2004 19:18
I will pray for you mate.
Guest 30-Mar-2004 19:15
Fingers crossed for you here too. And despite the reason for being in the position to take this picture, you've done a fine job at it!
Guest 30-Mar-2004 19:10
Well, someone has to be first at something sometime....
Great shot and hope you will feel better soon and that the next CT is clear too....
Regards, Jeanette
Guest 30-Mar-2004 18:52
My husband has seizures, but not epilepsy. So I know sort of what you are going through. He's on a medication called dilantin which he takes at night so the sleepies caused by the medication occur when he's already asleep. :)

His was caused by scar tissue formed from an operation he had on his head at six months for meningitus.

Hopefully your seizures or seizure like behavior can be fixed with medication.
Guest 30-Mar-2004 18:43
Get well soon.
I like the shot.
//Daniel
Claudio Gatti30-Mar-2004 16:57
Hi Jeff,

Another set of fingers crossed for you here.

I'm sure it is really trying to diagnose these unusual problems, and it's just great that your photographic passion and talent are with you to give you a lighter perspective and a way to share your feelings with friends in these difficult times.

Speaking of lighter persepctive, I couldn't help myself connect your picture and story with the book "Terminal Man" by Micheal Crichton... Just make sure they don't upgrade you brain photo firmware because it can hardly be functioning any better than now ;-)


Claudio
Si Kirk30-Mar-2004 16:54
nasty, i hope you get sorted soon
Guest 30-Mar-2004 16:48
Get well soon! Everything will be alright!
Sam
Jill30-Mar-2004 16:26
Geoff I am sorry to hear what you are experiencing. The tests sure can be stressful. Wishing you the best as well.
penny roots30-Mar-2004 16:07
So sorry to hear about your ordeal Geoff , i wish you all the best and i will be keeping my fingers crossed for you . Great picture btw .
Guest 30-Mar-2004 16:06
Good shot Geoff. I will send good thoughts your way, and with your permission, I will light a candle for you on my Apollo shrine for healing.
virginiacoastline30-Mar-2004 15:46
Adal is right . keep your shutter finger available . . only a PaDr would do a pic like this (hey, that's probably your entire affliction! PaD-itis) This turned out really well by the way . . . any time I shhot myself I get just my forehead, or chin, or a third of the face. You did good.

Your eyes & brain went thru quite a work out, they should have given you a (brain) massage and a Turkish towel afterwards! LOL!

We'll all be checking back for your follow up . . hope you get an answer (that has a solution!) soon
Guest 30-Mar-2004 15:31
Hope the docs find something for you ASAP. Hope you're well soon!
Gregg Morris30-Mar-2004 15:27
Good luck, Geoff. I hope that your ordeal will help the doctors to help you to feel better.
Vinay30-Mar-2004 15:03
Geoff, Hope you feel better soon. Best regards
jude30-Mar-2004 14:55
It's a nice, clear photo, done well in black and white. Don't know if you realize it but you have captured a bit of worry on your face tinged with a wistful look about your mouth. Maybe its just you wishing it were all over and you knew what was going on. I hope that the symptoms you have are no more than maddening thoughts of all the photos yet to take. My thoughts are with you Geoff ... this image will stay with me for a while.
Kenneth Zimmerman30-Mar-2004 14:52
I hope you get well soon. You have said many kind things about my images. I'll pray for you. God has a plan for all of us and if you put your faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, you will be fine. Best of luck.
Guest 30-Mar-2004 14:22
My fingers are crossed for you!
Adalberto Tiburzi30-Mar-2004 13:36
All the best Geoff! Fingers crossed, but not the shutter one. It is your lucky finger!!!
Pall Gudjonsson30-Mar-2004 13:31
You got mine fingers crosed as well - Hope everything turnes out well
bela4530-Mar-2004 13:27
How I understand you, Geoff!!
I have beeen thru the whole thing myself, with the only difference, I had no digital camera then:-)
In my case it was due to a sudden cramp attack, repeated during several days
It never came back:-)
Keeping all my fingers crossed for you:-)
Take care, be brave
christianl30-Mar-2004 13:21
Cool self portrait in a strange situation !
I wish you the best !
Chris Brooker30-Mar-2004 13:11
The B/W seems just the job in this case.
I hope all goes well and you are feeling better.
katwilkens30-Mar-2004 13:09
An amazing picture. Black and white was a good choice. I hope everything turns out OK.
Guest 30-Mar-2004 13:09
Geoff... of course you would take a picture... you're a PADer! I will say a prayer that you will get good information from the tests and find a way to treat whatever is causing you to feel so unwell. Both your symptoms and the testing sound like no fun! My husband had open heart surgrey at age 27 and I took pictures of him in the ICU right after surgery. Though not a lot of fun to look at, the ordeal of his surgery was a big part of our lives; I wanted to remember it all.