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the after life of temporal lobe sururgery
Sun, 01/08/2006 - 15:31Topic: Surgery and Devices
I had my right temporal removed in Sept of 1994
I actually was aginniy pig for ateaching hospital in Gainesville,fl.I dont know about the rest of you, but my first two years after surgery where HELL! I was amentel case,I had to betaught how to be social around people again and how not to let people make me like something that Im not.A friend taught me to drive again,I was like achlid learnig how to take steps all over again.Its been 11 years and I stll take more medicanes now than I did when I had surgery.
I take Topamax,Lexapro,and Ativn.I have both short and long term memory loss,alearning dis.,simple-partial seizures,anxiety dis./
mood-swings.But as time as gone by,my learning has improved alot.Can anyone relate?terrij
Comments
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: the after life of temporal lobe suru
Submitted by Phoebe on Mon, 2006-01-16 - 08:47
Hello, I also had a febrile convulsion at a very young age. More than likely, that was the cause of my epilepsy. Re finding out about the neurosurgeon's success rate, I did ask at the Epilepsy Center. There should be a person who shoud be associated with the Surgical aspect of cases who may be able to answer your question. This is about you so no one should get their feathers ruffled because you want to find out before taking such a big step. Also,I found someone who had had her surgery done at this same place 15 yrs before me, and her neurosurgeon taught mine. I felt comfortable after learning that and after talking to this woman about her surgery. Ask at the Center you are considering to speak with someone who has gone before you and who had surgery done by the same doc as you. That would be ideal. That person will be a great mentor for you throughout the process. Some patients are willing to be mentors for others who are going through what they already have. Ask for this at the Center. If they do not have a former patient who has offered to do something like this, maybe they do know of one who may be. They might be willing to check with them for you. That kind lady was mentor for me, and I have been mentor for others via the Net. Do a Google search for brain mapping. Having the focus on the left should not automatically exclude you from surgery. Many have Left ATLs, and there are many right handed people. Also, other sites such as this may have info from other's who share their experience, and you may can find out great info from them as well. It is great to have info from many others so you can be as knowledgeable as possible. Are you in the UK? The word 'keen' made me think so. I have read posts from others who have had successful surgery in the UK. You are on a journey.Phoebe
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: the after life of temporal lobe
Submitted by pinkangel_82 on Mon, 2006-01-16 - 11:26
Hello
Thank you for your reply. Last night I looked up my neurosurgeon's name over the internet and it came up on an American Neuroscience Institute website. So I have written them an email asking if they could help me find out some information. Just waiting for their reply now. I may try and find another to compare notes. I asked my mum last night about who she thinks I could ask and behold she came up with the idea for me to ask the Epilepsy Nurse I have an appointment with on 31 January. She works at the same training hospital where my operation will be taking place. I was a bit slow on the mark there for not thinking of it myself (typical). Do you think my neurosurgeon will take offence if he finds out I am trying to find out the success of his performance at surgery?
I do live in the UK. It made me laugh when the word "keen" which I used gave you the idea. Isn't that word used in the States? It is nice learning about different cultures.
Look after yourself and I will get in touch when I have more news.
Thank you for all your help.
Teri
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: the after life of temporal lobe sururger
Submitted by pinkangel_82 on Sun, 2006-01-15 - 16:40
Hello Phoepe Thank you ever so much for your positive reply yesterday. I am so glad for you that your surgery was a success and you are at school again to gain knowledge. It will help your confidence in life. I have left temporal lobe epilepsy where they wish to remove scar tissue from when I had a febrile convulsion at eighteen months old. The things that concern me with your reply is that you said if I am right-handed then my memory would be on my left side where my scar tissue is at. Wouldn't that mean I am not a good candidate for surgery? Surely, they would know that by just asking me if that is the case. Unless, it means I would have mapping done which I have no knowledge of yet. I am also very interested in knowing how should I find out about my surgeons success rate with this kind of surgery? Do I ask him outright or should I write to Human Resources of the hospital? I am very keen on finding out! Please would you give me some advice on how to start the ball rolling? Once again, I thank you and if in any way you think you could give me more help, I would be ever so grateful. All the best Teri