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Just starting evaluation...

Sun, 02/11/2007 - 11:06
I'm about to start the first phase of evaluation for being a surgery candidate at the Cleveland Clinic, I've had complex partial seizures most of my life, tried almost all of the meds, and I'm now 46 years old. My seizures were never controlled, and lately have gotten more frequent, as many as one every 2 to 3 days. I believe they start at the left temporal lobe. Luckily, I've went to college and have a successfull career. Does anyone know what percentage of patients who are evaluated can even have the surgery done? How do you find out if the Cleveland Clinic has a good reputation? I'm TERRIFIED of surgery, but I know life could be SO MUCH BETTER without seizures. Any encouraging words would be deeply appreciated. Rosalie

Comments

Re: Just starting evaluation...

Submitted by RTL on Sun, 2007-02-11 - 19:36
I can't help with your specific questions, but hopefully my "experience" can provide you with some general information. I had an RTL 4 years ago, and my pre/post-op experiences are outlined at the following link: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/kkehoe/epilepsy/main.html Kevin

Re: Re: Just starting evaluation...

Submitted by aussie2006 on Mon, 2007-02-12 - 05:28
I am just a few days off 1 year since my surgery left temp.lobe. At this stage whilst you are going through the tests to see if you are suitable for surgery, try not worry about the surgery itself. I know it is easier said than done,I still remember thinking,that there was no way I was going to let anyone cut my head open and mess with my brain. You also want to have an attitude of you will not make up your mind, as to whether you will or wont have the surgery, until such time you are presented with all the facts and what percentage chance you have of successful surgery.If you have a good surgeon they will not touch you if there is any probable danger in surgery. I had surgery at age 44, and to date, I am going well. If you have had epilepsy from a very young age, it is possible, like me, that the right hand side of your brain ,takes over the things normally done on the left hand side of your brain. Possible problems resulting from the surgery are: short term memory problems, tip of the tongue-losing a word , some periphiall vision problems can occur. But when you wiegh everything up, would you rather possibly have some of these problems or have a life of uncertainity not knowing when you will next have a seizure. Good luck in your tests Aussie

Re: Re: Re: Just starting evaluation...

Submitted by rosalieh on Mon, 2007-02-12 - 08:42
THANK YOU SO MUCH for those encouraging words. That was my exact thought... nobody is going to cut open my brain!! You are also correct in saying that I am worring without knowing enough of the facts. Rosalie

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