Let’s Talk to Nurse Keri-Rose

In this episode of Working Short, nurse Keri-Rose shares her medical story living with epilepsy, diagnosed in 2006 with temporal lobe focal aware seizures that were mistaken for panic attacks in high school, leading to antidepressant treatment. After initial seizure control with medication, her condition changed in 2017 with sudden drop attacks captured on security footage and frightening episodes in public, including on an airplane and while cooking with a friend. Evaluation in a seizure investigation unit revealed ictal asystole (her heart stopping during seizures), resulting in driving restrictions, disrupted nursing plans, severe depression worsened by Keppra, and eventual pacemaker placement. SEEG monitoring showed seizures from both sides of her brain, making her not a surgical candidate; probe removal caused a CSF leak and chest symptoms. She completed nursing school, now works in an epilepsy clinic, discusses epilepsy stigma and underfunding, and describes her New York Times “Diagnosis” story and patient support resources.