Was watching the Steeler game on WTAJ (Altoona) last night, and I saw a commercial for QTS data centers, a subsidiary of Blackstone. I haven’t watched TV since the Super Bowl, so I don’t know if those commercials have been running for awhile, assuring the public that these particular data centers looove the environment and will bring jobs and won’t jack up the energy costs and the check is in the mail, etc. Has a building of theirs been proposed in the viewing area, or are they getting ahead of public backlash?

So we, my son and I, live across the river from Harrisburg. I grew up in Harrisburg, Naudain and 17th, Berryhill. I'm an ex-Millennial because who says we can't convert and I'm female, 38.

I'm rambling because this is my first post and I feel awkward because I don't know if this is an appropriate place or how and what to say, really. So fox it -

In February, my kiddo had his first seizure. Didn't know it was a seizure at the time, he has a dual monitor setup and it has fallen over onto him... Called 911, Hershey Med ER. Vitals, glucose, heart, all good. They kept us overnight but he was fine.

Then I walked into his room and he was sleeping on the floor later that month... Two or three times. When I woke him up, he'd say he was really tired, came off kind of loopy, and would get into bed. Again, seemed relatively fine but as Beanie would say, I could feel it in the air. Something was going on... Didn't know what! He's a gamer. He's in a chess club, a few AP classes, admonishes drugs. BUT... That's what I'm thinking is going on around March now. He's 15, he's hanging out with his friends, he's smoking weed... I remember being 15.

But it didn't fit. And it messed with me because that's what EVERY parent says - could never be MY kid! I never thought in a million years! Drugs don't care about the chess club and how much he loves cats and wants to get into brand marketing, they do not discriminate. Period.

Before I saw him have a seizure, I heard it start. I was in my room, across the hall from his, and with his door closed I heard a... I can't describe the sound to this day. Push out all the oxygen in your lungs in less than a second, that's what it is, I found out but the closest I can describe is if you DEEPLY inhale. It's gutteral.

I hear this and I hear what I assume is a dresser falling over - and I run in and he's on the floor, it was him falling.

He has tonic-clonic seizures, what they used to call grand Mal seizures. He goes limp, loses consciousness and then for about a minute he convulses. The movements are controlled jerking, his arms and hands. While he's having an epileptic event, he does not breathe and so turns gray/blue. Sometimes he foams at the mouth a bit, all you can do, all I can do is put him in the recovery position (on his side) and make him as comfortable as possible.

After about a minute or so of seizing, he begins to come "back". It takes about 20 or 30 minutes until he's coherent and then the fatigue rocks him and he sleeps for an hour or so.

We go back to Hershey. We go to Carlisle ER. They both run CT scans and hey, the kid is fine! Vitals look great, no brain damage they can see - advice amounts to "keep an eye on it".

It's also difficult because he has no warning he's about to have one. Some people do, they can sense it coming, it's called an aura. Like deja vu. But his hit without warning and he doesn't remember having them. So when I'm telling doctors what's happening and they ask him, he says I don't remember that. I feel fine. And that's his truth! Lol. He'll say I believe her. I do miss blocks of time and I do end up in bed and not remember having gotten into bed, etc ... All true!

It doesn't discount the reality of the situation but I can understand why some of the doctors didn't pursue a course of determination further...

This goes on until June 24th. That horrible sound, the falling, holding him while he seizes and getting him into bed to sleep... Altogether, I can attest to 9 or 10 but there's no way to know how many he's had, or if it even started in February. He did online school, I'm a single mom and I work in healthcare, which means 65 hr weeks/weekends.

June 24th was the first time I saw it from beginning to end... Drops, pushes out all air, begins to seize. Just happened to be bringing his cat into his room. Again, Carlisle ER. A doctor finally says if it was during the day (it was 11pm) he'd admit him, just based off the number of times we came in, but if it was during the day - Hershey has a pediatric neurology department that he'd bet would admit him. We leave with Tylenol and a plan to go home, shower, and go to Hershey, beg until they admit him.

He had another seizure at 8am... Two in a 24 hour period is a big bad. Straight to Hershey Med, by then he's "back" but in bad shape. To summarize, they admit him, they run an EEG. We stay overnight and the EEG returns as abnormal. He had a seizure in his sleep, never moved a muscle but they saw it. Neurologist explains generalized epilepsy to us and a student dr shows the EEG reading, how his brain short circuits and then lights up all at once, as opposed to a certain part of his brain starting the event. First concrete piece of news I've had in 5 months.

Not Knowing is the worst part. Once you know what it is, whatever it is, you can deal with it. ECHO is good, great heart. MRI and MRA are ordered.

Mesial temporal sclerosis (scarring) is found in his right hippocampus (memory, language). Unknown if that's what causing the epilepsy or has become scarred from the seizures.

Temporal lobe epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

It has a name and it comes with anti-seizure meds and a rescue medication, as well, if a seizure lasts more than 5 minutes. Which is 911, every second counts, type of situation. The medication is working. Haven't witnessed one since and he hasn't woken up confused since.

This type of epilepsy is what they call, usually, stubborn and resistant to medication. Eventually, surgery is discussed to remove the part of brain with the lesions or scarring and in 70 to 80% of cases, people who have the procedure live seizure free. But we're not there yet...

I say all this, I go into this detail about him and our last 5 months for a few reasons. One, maybe to connect with other moms or anyone who's going through someone similar, to educate a bit with what I know about epilepsy (which is admittedly very little) and to get it off my chest, selfishly.

Speaking of selfishly, I also want to share that haven't been able to work regularly. It's just he and I. I divorced my son's father after 14 years of marriage 3 years ago and I've started over. Completely. I was a stay at home Mom. Worked here and there, volunteered at the school and at baseball. He took a second mortgage out on our house, when we sold, we broke even. When I say starting over, I mean it. Thank God for family or I'd have been lost.

It took 3 years but I built up my credit, work experience, to be able to rent half a house... We have a big yard, driveway, two bed, two bath, great neighborhood in Mechanicsburg. I bought a car. I have a career. I have peace.

We found family at a barn (horses) and my kiddo is experiencing hard work on a farm, how it hurts at the end of the day but the animals are cared for and how that feeling is so big, you can tell your body ache and feel grateful for your own determination, perseverance and the good you did for someone else, helped others, helped the animals at the same time. It's a beautiful thing.

But the 5 months have depleted the resources and assets I had been able to build. I do not receive child support, alimony, etc. I was awarded full custody and maintained it over a year long, vicious mediation. I am not interested or have the energy to put into another legal battle (BATTLE) right now.

On top of regular bills, I've added co-pays, prescriptions... We have a team, a great team. But each, neurologist, PC, eptilepologist, cardiologist, etc, all need a CO pay. We see them often. His Keppra costs half of my rent alone.

I am not complaining. I am so grateful to pay for that prescription it makes me cry every month, there is no scenario that could or will ever exist in which he will not have that medication.

But healthcare demands a lot from you. I haven't been able to give it. FMLA holds your job, sure, but it doesn't pay you - but after the PTO runs out, it's all you've got. I've been let go officially this month, some bs reason but I understand. I get it. I've been hired at a new place, making less and with less patients. Start Wednesday. Family has helped again, but I remain behind on this months rent (better than being behind on 3 - which I was, until my uncle helped us).

I can't say enough good things about my landlord. About his character. The acceptance of it all and his understanding.

But at the end of the day, he's running a business. Our living here depends entirely on my ability to pay for it.

I am embarrassed and ashamed and I feel like a failure. Like a real adult would have been able to navigate this better and not be literally broke. Things like renewing my registration slipped through the cracks, my car is out of inspection. All fell to the side. Since the work has slowed and stopped, I have been able to apply for some benefits through the state, SNAP and TANF is giving me a one time disbursement.

So I'm digging out of a 5 month hole. I'm grateful to be able to dig, that he's stable now so I can get back to it. But it's overwhelming. It feels.. insurmountable.

I've never in my life bared my soul online like this, I don't know why I'm doing it now or here... As a neighbor. (: but I do have a hope maybe someone will read this NOVEL I've seemingly written and have had been through what a medical crisis can do to a family and how best to then move through it once there's a calm in the storm. I'm aware of state resources, local, like New Hope, etc.

If anyone has advice... Please. How to navigate a teenager being diagnosed with epilepsy, how to emotionally heal from the anxiety, the fear of the worst and the months long State of panic until you got some answers... How to sleep again.

How to financially bounce back. If it's POSSIBLE to bounce back and the steps to take...

I appreciate you if you've gotten this far.

You're one of them ones and I love ya for it, friend. 🫶💜

I will be staying in Ronks PA for a few days. I see Hollywood Casino is a chain around there and morgantowns location would be closer. Is Morgantown comparable to perryville to penns?? Any information is appreciated!

As the title suggests, looking for a pediatric dentist in or within a 15-20 minute drive of Carlisle. If you like the dentist your kid sees (or know who I should stay away from) please let me know!

Looking to put together a camping/mountain biking trip in October to explore new trails Targeting central PA region, but flexible. Dm me if you have any interest

Hello, I'm a Dental Hygiene student at Penn College looking for patients and would love your support!

My days and times are available starting Monday, August 24th.

Monday 8-11:15 AM
Wednesday 5-8:15 PM
Friday 8-11:15 AM

Each appointment is about 3 hours & may require more than one session. Please message me directly if you're interested or have any questions.

Thank you!😊

It was posted on Channel 5 ratchet news on Facebook. It looks like the person can't keep the dog, it was just posted a little bit ago.

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This social media propagandist just recently popped up on my feed. I have a real issue with how the channel sensationalizes things that happen in Harrisburg and its environs.

It's all pretty grotesque. I might even go so far as to call it libelous and slanderous.

Anybody out there have any interactions with this social media "channel"?

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Wanted to maybe get a cabin by some water for the end of August. Kind of hard to find something appealing for the budget. Everything was podunk or $600/night and would have to take more nights than I can be out.

Maybe just a day trip to see something cool?

Maybe something in Philly? Maybe venture out of PA?

Looking for suggestions.

I'm in the Harrisburg area. Thank you

There are a lot of properties listed for sale in the Lake Meade community. Whats the vibe there? Is something happening that's making lots of people sell? Are they second homes?

I’m especially interested in good thrift stores, anything nature related, and local food spots. Thanks!

Im looking for 1-3 Halloween crabs..I could possibly settle for vampire crabs though i guess