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elective brain surgery

Sat, 05/21/2005 - 16:52
Topic: Surgery and Devices

Hi, my name is Kathy and my twin sister has had epilepsy for 30 + yrs.  She has been ok'd for left temporal lobe brain surgery in the near future. Is there anyone out there who has had the surgery or is anticipating having the surgery? I would really like to talk about it. Thanks.

Comments

RE: elective brain surgery

Submitted by jac_tx on Sun, 2005-05-22 - 22:02

Kathy,

I know you're wanting to talk to someone who has had their LTL removed, but I wanted to put my two cents in and briefly tell you my experience.  I was 36 when I had my RTL removed, after having E since I was three.  It was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I only advise surgery as a last resort, after all other options have been exhausted.  But I was in that boat, and there was nothing left for me but surgery.  I'd do it all over again, if I needed to.  I've been totally sz-free for 12 1/2 years, and have been off of all AEDs since 9/94.  I wish your sister all the luck in the world.  I wish your sister all the luck in the world.  Yes, brain surgery is a scarey thing to undertake.  But for me, it was sure worth it.  Jackie

Kathy,

I know you're wanting to talk to someone who has had their LTL removed, but I wanted to put my two cents in and briefly tell you my experience.  I was 36 when I had my RTL removed, after having E since I was three.  It was the best thing that ever happened to me.  I only advise surgery as a last resort, after all other options have been exhausted.  But I was in that boat, and there was nothing left for me but surgery.  I'd do it all over again, if I needed to.  I've been totally sz-free for 12 1/2 years, and have been off of all AEDs since 9/94.  I wish your sister all the luck in the world.  I wish your sister all the luck in the world.  Yes, brain surgery is a scarey thing to undertake.  But for me, it was sure worth it.  Jackie

RE: RE: elective brain surgery

Submitted by TomII20 on Mon, 2005-05-23 - 22:06
My name TomIIWatkins. I had barin surgey at 5 months of age. I was on Medication from 8/78 to about of 7. Then at age 11 I started having Grand Mol seizures and had to go back on Medication and been on about all the 24 Medications out their.

RE: elective brain surgery

Submitted by ROBERTLPC on Mon, 2005-05-23 - 02:10
KATHY, I HAVE HAD SEIZURES FOR THE LAST 37 YEARS. I'M 49 AT PRESENT. IN 1992 I HAD SURGERY ON THE RIGHT TEMPORAL LOBE. THIS AREA CONTROLS A VAST AMOUNT OF THE EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND INTERACTIONS. BRAIN SURGERY HAS BEEN A BLESSING FOR ME.I DIDN'T HAVE SEIZURES FOR SOMETHING LIKE 6-8 YEARS. 6 WEEKS AFTER SURGERY I HAD THE FIRST EXPERIENCE OF ADULT EMOTIONS EVER IN MY LIFE. FOR THE FIRST TIME AS AN ADULT I KNEW WHAT IT WAS TO FEEL LOVE FOR ANYONE; ESPECIALLY MY PARENTS. SIX WEEK AFTER BRAIN SURGERY I VISITED MY MOTHER IN THE HOSPITAL AND TOLD HER I LOVE HER. I "FELT" FOR MY MOTHER AS AN ADULT FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER. SHE DIED 5 MINUTES LATER. (I WAS 12 WHEN THEY STARTED. A TIME OF CHANGING FROM CHILD TO ADULT IN ALL WAYS: PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, SOCIALLY, ETC.) THE DOCTORS HAVE EXPLAINED THAT AFTER THE SEIZURES WERE STOPPED I BEGAN DEVELOPING EMOTIONS THAT WERE HALTED DUE TO THE SEIZURES.DURING THAT TIME I WAS SUBJECTED TO AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF EMOTIONAL STRESSORS WITHOUT ANY EMOTIONAL OR SOCIAL SUPPORT. AS A RESULT, AND THE DOCTORS VERIFY THIS, I BEGAN HAVING SEIZURS AGAIN. HOPE THIS HAS BEEN OF SOME VALUE. CONTACT ME IF YOU WISH. >>>>>>>>ROBERT

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