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Epilepsy patient becomes nurse at the same B.C. hospital unit that changed her life

Keri-Rose Tiessen once feared epilepsy would derail her dreams of a career in nursing. Now she works in the specialized B.C. unit that helped her take control of her health.

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[A|Health|3475671330] Epilepsy patient becomes nurse at the same B.C. hospital unit that changed her life

[I||804839996}]

[I||1602099840}]


By [A|Simon Little|2270044702] & [A|Jennifer Palma|2953640844] Global News 
Posted December 23, 2024 4:01 pm Updated December 23, 2024 9:08 pm 4 min read 


If you get Global News from Instagram or Facebook - that will be changing. [A|Find out how you can still connect with us|551489970] . 
1:58 Epilepsy patient now works in the unit where she was treated 
WATCH: A young woman diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy is giving back in a way she could never have imagined as she works with the team that diagnosed her. Jennifer Palma reports. 
Share this item on Facebook Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Twitter Send this page to someone via email 
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Seven years ago, Keri-Rose Tiessen was studying to become a nurse but was afraid her [A|health|2553854221] could prevent that dream from ever coming true. 
[I||2491360234}]

Ironically, a frightening medical episode not only led to her getting her condition under control but also opened the door to a specialized career in nursing where she could harness her experience and help others in her position.

4:30 ‘Purple Day’ recognizes epilepsy awareness 
Tiessen was diagnosed with [A|epilepsy|3542219496] in 2006, but had only ever experienced minor “aura” seizures, characterized by panic, deja vu and other symptoms. 
Story continues below advertisement

That changed in 2017 when, while working at a First Aid school, she experienced an aura then lost consciousness, collapsed, and fell head-first to the floor.

“I just knew something really bad had happened,” she said, adding she woke up in pain and confused.

She later learned her heart had stopped for between 30 and 45 seconds.

“I was basically dead, I was flatlined,” she said.

That episode led her to Vancouver General Hospital’s seizure investigation unit, where an integrated team of specialists was able to diagnose the incident as an “ictal asystole” — a seizure that stopped her heart from beating.

“This is rare, this is only one of about every 200 people admitted to a seizure investigation unit that have a seizure that leads to that kind of consequence for the person,” explained Chantelle Hrazdil, a neurologist and epileptologist at Vancouver General Hospital’s seizure investigation unit.

Get weekly health news

Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.

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“We were able to implant a cardiac pacemaker such that if a seizure that leads to a slowing or stopping of the heart occurs, then the cardiac pacemaker kicks in, and then Keri-Rose doesn’t end up having an episode … and there has been no collapse or cessation of her heartbeat since we’ve had that pacemaker in.”

4:28 Calling for more support for those living with epilepsy 
The intervention was life-changing. A follow-up determined Tiessen wasn’t a candidate for surgery, but the combination of the pacemaker and a change to her medication regime meant Tiessen could drive again, get back to her studies, and live a normal life.

Story continues below advertisement

“It saved my life, it gave me purpose. I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for the seizure intervention unit,” she said.

Tiessen completed her studies and chose to specialize in neuroscience. She now works in the very same VGH unit that allowed her to take control of her health.

Hrazdil said the value Tiessen’s personal experience brings to the units is “immeasurable.”

That’s, in part, because the diagnosis process can be overwhelming for many patients, as epileptologists try to induce seizures in order to understand where they’re originating in the brain.

Trending Now Blake Lively accuses ‘It Ends With Us’ director of harassment, smear campaign Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say 

Patients are restricted to a bed, hooked up to sensors, and may undergo sleep deprivaiton or reduced medication.

“It’s a very stressful experience for a person to go through, and its an arduous emotionally and psychologically draining process,” Hrazdil said.

“Keri-Rose has a tremendous ability, as opposed to disability, to really relate to what people are going through when they are admitted to our unit, we admit people for an average of about five to 10 days at a time, sometimes longer.”

4:28 Health Matters: Epilepsy 
Tiesen said she’s able to connect with patients about her own experiences.

Story continues below advertisement

She’s also able to demystify the diagnosis process in the investigation unit.

“I get to see people who are just like me, other epileptics, and sometimes I talk to the patients and tell them my story if I find it will be helpful to them, we have long chats about how to get through your time here, because it can be long and boring, and we joke,” she said.

“One thing I always tell them is they have phenomenal army of people behind them here. It’s not just the epileptologists, the doctors it’s the EEG techs, the nurses” and more,” she added.

Tiessen said patients have shared heartbreaking stories of how epilepsy has affected their lives, from difficulty getting pregnant due to the medication they’re on, to not being able to drive or to hold their own baby out of concern they could have a seizure.

She said sharing her story is a way she can help break the stigma, while giving patients hope.

“You are kind of a prisoner with your diagnosis. You are given this laundry list of rules, you can’t do this, you can’t do that, and its horrifying,” she said.

“I want other epileptics to feel it’s OK to have this diagnosis, we can help.”

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Montreal ERs operating overcapacity during busy holiday season North York General Hospital swings into action to prepare for Santa Vancouver woman with epilepsy becomes nurse to help others Stay healthy during the holidays 


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                    [0] => Epilepsy patient becomes nurse at the same B.C.
                    [1] => hospital unit that changed her life | Globalnews.ca
                    [2] => In the news
                    [3] => Nissan Greenland Blake Lively Freeland 
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                    [19] => Local your local region
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                    [29] => Video link Headline link 
                    [30] => Advertisement
                    [31] => [A|Health|3475671330] Epilepsy patient becomes nurse at the same B.C.
                    [32] => hospital unit that changed her life
                    [33] => [I||804839996}]
                    [34] => [I||1602099840}]
                    [35] => By [A|Simon Little|2270044702] & [A|Jennifer Palma|2953640844] Global News 
                    [36] => Posted December 23, 2024 4:01 pm Updated December 23, 2024 9:08 pm 4 min read 
                    [37] => If you get Global News from Instagram or Facebook - that will be changing.
                    [38] => [A|Find out how you can still connect with us|551489970] .
                    [39] => 1:58 Epilepsy patient now works in the unit where she was treated 
                    [40] => WATCH: A young woman diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy is giving back in a way she could never have imagined as she works with the team that diagnosed her.
                    [41] => Jennifer Palma reports.
                    [42] => Share this item on Facebook Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Twitter Send this page to someone via email 
                    [43] => Share Share this item on Facebook Share this item on Twitter Send this page to someone via email Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Pocket Share this item via Telegram Share this item on Reddit Share this item on BlueSky 
                    [44] => Seven years ago, Keri-Rose Tiessen was studying to become a nurse but was afraid her [A|health|2553854221] could prevent that dream from ever coming true.
                    [45] => [I||2491360234}]
                    [46] => Ironically, a frightening medical episode not only led to her getting her condition under control but also opened the door to a specialized career in nursing where she could harness her experience and help others in her position.
                    [47] => 4:30 ‘Purple Day’ recognizes epilepsy awareness 
                    [48] => Tiessen was diagnosed with [A|epilepsy|3542219496] in 2006, but had only ever experienced minor “aura” seizures, characterized by panic, deja vu and other symptoms.
                    [49] => Story continues below advertisement
                    [50] => That changed in 2017 when, while working at a First Aid school, she experienced an aura then lost consciousness, collapsed, and fell head-first to the floor.
                    [51] => “I just knew something really bad had happened,” she said, adding she woke up in pain and confused.
                    [52] => She later learned her heart had stopped for between 30 and 45 seconds.
                    [53] => “I was basically dead, I was flatlined,” she said.
                    [54] => That episode led her to Vancouver General Hospital’s seizure investigation unit, where an integrated team of specialists was able to diagnose the incident as an “ictal asystole” — a seizure that stopped her heart from beating.
                    [55] => “This is rare, this is only one of about every 200 people admitted to a seizure investigation unit that have a seizure that leads to that kind of consequence for the person,” explained Chantelle Hrazdil, a neurologist and epileptologist at Vancouver General Hospital’s seizure investigation unit.
                    [56] => Get weekly health news
                    [57] => Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday.
                    [58] => By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News'
                    [59] => [A|Terms and Conditions|337883038] and
                    [60] => [A|Privacy Policy|4134833679] .
                    [61] => “We were able to implant a cardiac pacemaker such that if a seizure that leads to a slowing or stopping of the heart occurs, then the cardiac pacemaker kicks in, and then Keri-Rose doesn’t end up having an episode … and there has been no collapse or cessation of her heartbeat since we’ve had that pacemaker in.”
                    [62] => 4:28 Calling for more support for those living with epilepsy 
                    [63] => The intervention was life-changing.
                    [64] => A follow-up determined Tiessen wasn’t a candidate for surgery, but the combination of the pacemaker and a change to her medication regime meant Tiessen could drive again, get back to her studies, and live a normal life.
                    [65] => Story continues below advertisement
                    [66] => “It saved my life, it gave me purpose.
                    [67] => I wouldn’t be standing here today if it wasn’t for the seizure intervention unit,” she said.
                    [68] => Tiessen completed her studies and chose to specialize in neuroscience.
                    [69] => She now works in the very same VGH unit that allowed her to take control of her health.
                    [70] => Hrazdil said the value Tiessen’s personal experience brings to the units is “immeasurable.”
                    [71] => That’s, in part, because the diagnosis process can be overwhelming for many patients, as epileptologists try to induce seizures in order to understand where they’re originating in the brain.
                    [72] => Trending Now Blake Lively accuses ‘It Ends With Us’ director of harassment, smear campaign Quebec fugitive killed in Mexican resort town, RCMP say 
                    [73] => Patients are restricted to a bed, hooked up to sensors, and may undergo sleep deprivaiton or reduced medication.
                    [74] => “It’s a very stressful experience for a person to go through, and its an arduous emotionally and psychologically draining process,” Hrazdil said.
                    [75] => “Keri-Rose has a tremendous ability, as opposed to disability, to really relate to what people are going through when they are admitted to our unit, we admit people for an average of about five to 10 days at a time, sometimes longer.”
                    [76] => 4:28 Health Matters: Epilepsy 
                    [77] => Tiesen said she’s able to connect with patients about her own experiences.
                    [78] => Story continues below advertisement
                    [79] => She’s also able to demystify the diagnosis process in the investigation unit.
                    [80] => “I get to see people who are just like me, other epileptics, and sometimes I talk to the patients and tell them my story if I find it will be helpful to them, we have long chats about how to get through your time here, because it can be long and boring, and we joke,” she said.
                    [81] => “One thing I always tell them is they have phenomenal army of people behind them here.
                    [82] => It’s not just the epileptologists, the doctors it’s the EEG techs, the nurses” and more,” she added.
                    [83] => Tiessen said patients have shared heartbreaking stories of how epilepsy has affected their lives, from difficulty getting pregnant due to the medication they’re on, to not being able to drive or to hold their own baby out of concern they could have a seizure.
                    [84] => She said sharing her story is a way she can help break the stigma, while giving patients hope.
                    [85] => “You are kind of a prisoner with your diagnosis.
                    [86] => You are given this laundry list of rules, you can’t do this, you can’t do that, and its horrifying,” she said.
                    [87] => “I want other epileptics to feel it’s OK to have this diagnosis, we can help.”
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