Native Clevelander Denise Miles is a sports activities fan who likes to root for her hometown groups: Browns, Cavs and Guardians. The 40-year-old banker who lives in Bedford additionally enjoys listening to music – her favourite R&B group is Jagged Edge – and writing poetry. An individual of religion, Denise praises God for granting her energy throughout robust occasions.

Denise has epilepsy. She skilled her first epileptic seizure when she was in her early twenties. Initially, Denise suffered from grand mal seizures, additionally referred to as generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which trigger lack of consciousness and intense muscle contractions. Imaging checks revealed the reason for Denise’s epilepsy to be a lesion on the left temporal lobe of her mind.

In 2007, Denise sought care on the College Hospitals Epilepsy Heart, which is acknowledged as a Nationwide Affiliation of Epilepsy Facilities Tier 4 remedy heart – the very best designation for epilepsy care within the nation. For some epilepsy sufferers, surgical elimination of the seizure-producing space of the mind will be an efficient remedy choice. In Denise’s case, her docs decided that eradicating the lesion on her mind would put her well being and life in danger.

Presently, Denise continues to obtain care on the UH Epilepsy Heart, primarily seeing Karlee Hanchin, CNP and the middle’s Director, Guadalupe Fernandez-Baca Vaca, MD. In the present day, Denise experiences petit mal seizures as an alternative of grand mal seizures. Additionally referred to as absence seizures, petit mal seizures trigger individuals to stare blankly into house for a couple of seconds at a time. These seizures additionally trigger Denise to expertise syncope (a rapid-onset lack of consciousness), normally for an hour at a time.

“However typically the opposite signs of epilepsy,” says Denise, “are harder to deal with than the seizures themselves. In my case, these different signs embody migraines, bother sleeping, listening to and imaginative and prescient issues, in addition to despair.”

Due to Karlee and the remainder of the care workforce on the Epilepsy Heart, Denise stories that her epilepsy is at present secure and her secondary signs, corresponding to bother sleeping, have vastly improved. Denise has been in a position to handle her signs with a mix of treatment and way of life modifications. Whereas Denise speaks very extremely of her whole care workforce, she has significantly bonded with Karlee.

“Karlee is superb,” says Denise. “She’s compassionate, caring and responsive – at all times returning my calls and emails rapidly. Once I go to see her for an appointment, it feels extra like I’m visiting a buddy than a medical supplier. Regardless of what’s going on with me, good or dangerous, Karlee is at all times there to assist. For instance, after I just lately misplaced each my mother and father and my seizures began occurring extra typically, Karlee suggested me to hunt remedy for the despair, which has been an essential a part of stabilizing my epilepsy. She understands so effectively how issues like despair and stress could make this situation harder.”

Actually, Denise is so appreciative of the excellent care she receives from Karlee that she nominated her final month for Fox 8 Information’s “Cleveland’s Personal Serving to Cleveland’s Personal” phase, a each day function wherein Fox 8 Information offers a shoutout to an individual, place or group that deserves recognition for the nice they do locally. Denise additionally introduced Karlee with a customized engraved plaque as a thanks for the fantastic assist and excellent care she supplies.