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Left temporal lobectomy

Sun, 12/10/2006 - 18:37
Topic: Surgery and Devices
Hi! This is my first time in the community forum, and I'm hoping to hear from those of you who have had a left temporal lobectomy. I've had partial seizures for 12 years, and was properly diagnosed about 2 years ago. I was told for years that my seizures were panic attacks. Go figure. Anyway, I've been on 8 medications without success, and am now being told that a lobectomy is my best option. My MRI shows a definitive lesion on my left temporal lobe. I'm a 34 yr old woman, married and have 2 young boys (3 and 4.5 yrs old) and I'm most worried about the speech and memory issues that could arise after surgery. How long is the recovery process, both from the perspective of regaining speech and memory capabilities, and from the perspective of being able to be physically active? How severe is the word-finding issue? I really worry about the impact the surgery will have on my ability to be there for my children. Are there any other young moms out there who've had surgery, and if so - how did you deal with it? And how did your children cope with the situation? Any advice would be appreciated. I meet with my neurosurgeon at UCSF in a few weeks. -FMS

Comments

Re: Left temporal lobectomy

Submitted by Rickey on Sun, 2008-04-27 - 23:39
When I was 18 I had a left temporal lobectomy. The surgery was a success. I am 27 now & have been seizure for almost 9yrs. The only thing the surgery caused is a blind spot in the top corner of my right eye. It is not noticable or a hinderance. I am driving & am finishing my bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering. I am currently taking neurontin and dilantin. Those are the only 2 medications I am taking now.

Re: Left temporal lobectomy

Submitted by rsteve06 on Sat, 2011-01-22 - 00:00
Hello - I know this post is now nearing 5 years after FMS' post, but I still felt obligated to add my success story to everyone else's here! I'm currently 27, happily married, and had a left temporal lobectomy for partial seizures in August, 1999 at New York University Medical Center. The primary reason for this surgery was my first and only convulsive seizure one year prior to the operation. It set off a red flag that my epilepsy was getting worse. I have been seizure-free and medication-free ever since the operation with little to no long-term side-effects. I was able to return to my sophomore year of high school only six weeks after the operation. I say "little" in that neuropsych testing both pre and post-op revealed only minor short-term memory issues (primarly photographic short-term memory). Immediately following the operation and for about 6 months I would get occasional migraines. But these disappeared. This has had no effect on my education or my life. I finished high school, went to college, and now work for the government in Washington, DC, happy as can be. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to ask (click my username).

Re: Left temporal lobectomy

Submitted by candeee_sss on Thu, 2009-04-30 - 12:06

Hi FMS,

 I cannot believe how similar our lives are.  I am 34 years old. Have had seizures for 12 years, as well.  I recently was diagnosed with mesial temporal sclerosis.  My neurologist is wanting me to have the lobectomy too.  I have been on several medications, and none of them have really "worked". I have break through partial complex seizures. I would love to know how everything went for you. What was the recovery and rehab for you? How much of a cost was it? (I hope that is not too personal/intrusive for you). I do have insurance, but I am afraid of the out-of-pocket cost. I would love to know how much I need to save. Anyone out there who can help me out, please respond. My email is candice_jeepgirl@yahoo.com Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hi FMS,

 I cannot believe how similar our lives are.  I am 34 years old. Have had seizures for 12 years, as well.  I recently was diagnosed with mesial temporal sclerosis.  My neurologist is wanting me to have the lobectomy too.  I have been on several medications, and none of them have really "worked". I have break through partial complex seizures. I would love to know how everything went for you. What was the recovery and rehab for you? How much of a cost was it? (I hope that is not too personal/intrusive for you). I do have insurance, but I am afraid of the out-of-pocket cost. I would love to know how much I need to save. Anyone out there who can help me out, please respond. My email is candice_jeepgirl@yahoo.com Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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