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Questions on the left temporal lobectomy

Fri, 02/23/2007 - 18:59
I am scheduled to have my surgery on the 17th of April. At this point I am trying to get my affairs in order. I have a couple of questions for everyone. My first questions is how many of those who had surgery had to have their heads shaved completely or chose to do it? Secondly, How long was the recovery time at home after you arrived the reason I ask this is we are wondering if my dad should take a leave of absence to come up and stay with me and help out because I have a MIL and two teenage boys that I have to take care of? Then my husband had made plans to renewal on vows at the end of September is all goes well do you think that I will be up to doing that? I would appreciate everyones opinion thanks!!!! Shelly Maire

Comments

Re: Questions on the left temporal lobectomy

Submitted by tammyk on Tue, 2007-02-27 - 21:47
Hi! It has been eight years this April since I had my surgery. I had petite mal seizures my whole life. In '99, I was 25 years old when I had it done. The doctor only shaved a small section of my hair, but it was up to me. My hair was about shoulder length at that point. I had two kids back then (now I have four) and they stayed on my parents farm for a month. My sister-in-law stayed with me the first week I was home and then I took care of myself for a few weeks before the kids came home. My husband was always there, too, just working in construction. Things should be fine by September. My surgery was in April, too, and I was camping by the beginning of July. Just to let you know....I have never had another seizure or even a hint of one since that surgery. I've been off of meds since early in '02 and now epilepsy is just a part of mny past. I actually have pictures of my brain that the doctors took before and after they removed the scar tissue that caused the seizures. My kids look at that and find it fascinating and then they use that for show and tell at school! I pray that all goes well with you!

Re: Re: Questions on the left temporal lobectomy

Submitted by shelly maire on Tue, 2007-02-27 - 23:59
Hi Tammy thanks for the information I really appreciate it if you don't mind me asking how old were your kids at the time? When you say that they only shaved a small portion of hair do you have any idea of the size of the incision area? In addition you mentioned about pictures is there anyways that I could get you to email them to me so that I could see what exactly they are going to be doing. Do you have any of the incision itself. How long did you have to wait before you could wait to wash your hair? You can email me from the site I would appreciate it alot thanks a bunch.

Re: Re: Re: Questions on the left temporal lobectomy

Submitted by tammyk on Wed, 2007-02-28 - 21:56
Hi Shelly! My kids were 3 1/2 and almost 2. They are now 11 and 9 and only the oldest one can remember a bit about that month. I;d be happy to email you those pictures, but I'm not sure how to attatch them when I email you off this website...You were asking aobut the amount of hair that they shaved off. If you want to, I can also email you a picture that my husband took of me a day after the surgery that shows my staples and how much hair was shaved off. I'll admit that it is not the nicest picture of me, but it gives you a good idea how much they shaved! It will also show the shape of the incision. i don't remember how long I waited bafore washing my hair. I remember showering that week in the hospital, but I din't wash my hair until I was home. I do remember that it wasn't fun to wash and dry it the first few times. My husband tried towel drying it as gently as possible, but it still hurt alot. Anyway, let me know how to send you those pictures if you are still interested! My thought and prayers are with you!! Tammy.

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