Hi Alicia
I thought I'd write to you regarding the surgery option as a cure for epilepsy. I first had brain surgery in Sept 2000 after 14 years of uncontrollable Complex Partial Seizures. I had a cavernoma removed from my right temporal lobe, I had been a forceps delivery at birth, and this is what caused my seizures, although they didn't start until I was 23yrs old. I was seizure free for five wonderful years, and epilepsy was a thing of the past for me. In July 2005, for some reason, my seizures started again, and they seem to have returned with a vengeance! I have the most terrifying auras, and then mainly complex partial seizures, although I did have a tonic clonic seizure a couple of weeks ago.
I am going into hospital again in London on June 25th, this time to have my right hippocampus removed, this is the part of the brain that looks after the laying down of short term memory, and emotions, and is in the Limbic System part of the brain. I would say that if we are given the option of surgery, we really should take it, I was in hospital with people who were told that there was nothing that could be done for them, and they were basically stuck with seizures for life, one guy in particular who had been badly smashed up in a car accident, he had a lot of physical injury aswell as being stuck with epilepsy, the poor guy is stuck with it. Imaging techniques are so incredible these days, and they really did spend a lot of time with me before the surgery, talking to me, and answering any questions and concerns I had, they have been very thorough, and I've even been able to e.mail my professor with the odd question, they are only to pleased to help, as obviously it is a big step to take. I so want to get driving again, and back to work, and generally get my life back again. It's a lot to think about, but if the option is there, it's definately worth considering it. Me being the joker, I asked the surgeon if he could put a zip in my head this time, just in case I have to go back again! He laughed I'm pleased to say.
I hope you get all the help and support you need on this website, it is full of great people, and we all have that something special in common. I've just finished a four year course with Leeds university on epilepsy care and management, I wanted to learn as much as I could about this oh so misunderstood condition, and please please if there's anything I can help you with, please feel free to ask?
Keep it all crossed for me next week? I am not really looking forward to it and I just want to get it over with. I hope to hear from you soon.
God Bless & Best Wishes
Elaine x