On May 10th, 2021, Manitoba's Health and Seniors Care Minister pledged $4 million for a "state-of-the-art," four bed "Enhanced Adult Epilepsy Monitoring Unit" at the Health Science Centre in Winnipeg. That was one year ago. Heather Stefanson said, “The expansion of the adult epilepsy monitoring unit at HSC Winnipeg is a pivotal step toward reducing... Continue Reading →
When 30 Years Seems Like Yesterday – The Chronicles and Confessions of a Brain Tumour Survivor
Sept 16, 1991, Monday Dear Diary The nerologist, Mr. Young, told me that I have a brain tumor. It's the size of a nickle. They're sending me for more tests this week ... I'm kind of still in shock. I never expected this. I expected epilepsy or, may be nothing. Jenn took it hard. I... Continue Reading →
When You Sell a House, You Keep the Memories
Saying goodbye My parents built their dream house. A smaller home in the woods. Surrounded by trails and bulrushes - and black bears. Which means they sold their house and acreage on Highway 68. The acreage even had its own business name, "Karatchuk Acres." On September 30th, mom and dad went to their former home.... Continue Reading →
My Last Real Doughnut: The Celiac Realization
In 2010, I had my last real doughnut. It was an éclair from the Arborg Bakery when my friends and I were in town for a college project. I told them, “Before we leave, we have to stop at the bakery!” While my friends cooed in doughnut heaven, I drove back to Red River College,... Continue Reading →
Hey, You Want a Time Machine – A Chance to Return to High School, Yes or No
"If you could, would you go back to high school?" Adults are often asked this around graduation season. As social media fills with photos of newly minted graduates, some of you become nostalgic about your own high school experiences. A time when Hypercolor shirts, Fat Emma & Pie Face Chocolate bars, leggings, bell bottoms, paisley... Continue Reading →
It’s Time to Rename “Fad Diets” as “Treatments” – You’re Not on the Real Keto Diet
Meet the keto diet. However, in the epilepsy community, it's known as the ketogenic diet and it can be traced back to the 1920s and 1930s. But, hey, someone said they lost 120 lbs on keto. So, toot, toot! All aboard the temporary weight loss train! The ketogenic diet is not a diet. It's a... Continue Reading →
Losing Grandparents Doesn’t Become Simpler with Age
My Gigi Karatchuk died on December 2, 1984 when he was 67 years old, and Baba died at the same age on October 12, 1982. Pictured are my older sister (brown overalls) and me (sucking thumb) with my paternal grandparents, 1980 "Grandparents are only with us part-time." That was the gist of a late-80s MTS... Continue Reading →
Tammy Karatchuk 