Rachel Sellman could not have been more proud of her husband Andrew than after Sunday’s epic 50km run for epilepsy awareness.
Andrew, who was diagnosed with the illness after a vehicle roll-over two years ago at Marcus Beach, set himself the goal of running 50km and completing 1000 chin-ups in 12 hours as part of epilepsy week.
His personal challenge was also to thank everyone who has supported him through the most confronting two years of his life, including extended surgery and the gradual steps to recovery.
The challenge, initially set down for the Saturday, was rained out so Andrew, with his work mates as well as supporters, ran the course in 30-plus degree heat and about 80 percent humidity around the streets of Peregian Beach on Sunday.
By midday Andrew had completed 25km of the run and 400 chin-ups, looking to catch them up during the heat of the day.
At that stage Andrew had raised more than $17,000 towards Active for Epilepsy in 20 days and was looking to pass $20,000 in four weeks.
He was having sushi and water to rehydrate and maintain energy levels before setting out on the next 5km leg.
Supporters and fellow runners were coming and going at different stages throughout the day.
“It’s amazing how many people have contacted and talked about their sons, their daughters, their brothers and their uncles who have epilepsy,” Andrew said, “and how much they appreciate the way we are bringing awareness to it – how proud they are to get the story out to the public.
“What’s been wonderful is the people who have been behind me since putting this challenge out.
“Epilepsy Australia has profiled my whole story which is attracting awareness and more funds. I will keep the fundraiser open for another week.
“We will be putting a tribute together to keep getting the message out.”
The hardest part was not the first 5km run, or the 400 chin-ups by midday knowing there were 600 more to do, it was the anxiety of having to delay the challenge by a day due to the wet weather.
“I just wanted to get started. We had so much rain Saturday and now it’s hot today. Everybody’s helping me.
“I’ll do some pull-ups now, rehydrate, get some fuel into me here in the shed at the hottest time of the day.
“Thank you for the people who dropped off muffins, sushi, fruit platters and drinks.
“The main thing I’ve learnt today is about running, because I knew nothing about it before this.”
Rachel has been beside Andrew for the past two years, juggling her work as a real estate agent and raising two young children.
“I’m so proud of him.
“I was so anxious. It makes me so emotional because of the suffering he’s had in the past two years and I know this will be hard to do.
“No-one else I know could do what he’s setting out to do today. He just has so much determination.”
Andrew’s car roll-over was caused by a seizure that sent him unconscious. That caused bruising of the brain and a severe concussion.
That’s when he was diagnosed with epilepsy.
Since then Andrew has had had countless hospital visits, three week-long visits at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital doing sleep-deprived EEG (electroencephalogram) tests that records the brain’s electrical activity.
Another bad concussion ended with Andrew having staples in his head, and seemingly endless medications – some with extreme side effects. One of those side effects kills 10 per cent of people who get it.
The seizures didn’t stop. The diagnosis was medication resistance.
The next step, a stereo EEG surgery, was where 15 rods were placed through his skull to the centre of the brain.
Three weeks were spent with these rods in his head while being allowed to sleep for only four hours a night.
“The plan was to map where my seizures are and melt that area with the electronic rods. Seizures were stimulated, three were serious.’’
Andrew was diagnosed with ictal asystole, a rare condition where a seizure can cause your heart to stop and you stop breathing.
The melting was carried out and they hoped this would stop the seizures.
Sadly they have returned.
As a result Andrew needed an outlet – to thank all the amazing doctors and nurses that have cared for him.
That was training for the 50km challenge.
He completed 52km and 1001 chin-ups in 13 hours and 40 minutes – at 7.40pm – with more than $18,000 so far in funds raised.
For Andrew, it was straight off to an ice bath.
“We got through it,” he said. “Not quite to the timetable due to the heat but we got through it.”
As well as some blisters and blackened toenails Andrew gained a massive sense of achievement and gratitude for the level of support.
There were friends who had not run more than 2km and who completed 20km.
He said Rachel was a power behind it all. Someone who kept everything going.
“So much was needed … cartons of water and bags of ice.
“There was good advice about staying on top of the game plan … keep the water up, stick to the timetable.
“My legs are sore but not fatigued.”
In Australia, about one in every 150 people are diagnosed with epilepsy, even so it is still widely misunderstood.
Epilepsy can take many forms and affect people differently. It is a neurological disorder and seizures are caused by a disruption of the electrical activity in the brain.
While not necessarily lifelong, some epilepsies are age related and seizures stop by a certain age.
Although some lifestyle changes are necessary, many people with epilepsy are able to lead full and productive lives.
And as Andrew has shown, it is certainly no barrier to achievement.
To support Andrew’s challenge or learn more about Get Active For Epilepsy: epilepsy-action-australia.grassrootz.com/get-active-for-epilepsy/andrew-sellman
