Q- that is so awesome that the surgery has been successful for you. I'm headed into an E.M.U. in Feb (which totally freaks me out) and I'm concerned about the road from there. How did they determine your eligibility? Were you nervous after stopping your medicine completely? I feel as though I would be constantly worried about having another seizure and, as I'm sure you know, stress is so not good! I suppose I shouldn't worry too much since I haven't even entered the unit. But just asking. I like reading your posts.
thanks my dear, just noticed i never answered this, so tell me all about february! (or did we talk about it in another thread?! haha, blame my hippo that's in some jar somewhere...
)
-they determined my eligibility for surgery due to a lesion (something to remove) and having 3 grand mals in the investigation unit. all together that helped them determine original cause of the lesion as 'cortical dysplasia' (lesion began pre-birth due to abnormal cells).
-haven't stopped meds completely - dropped vimpat after two months (that's as soon as they'd let me), lamotrigine will be in august if i stay seizure-free, and carbamazepine i'm staying on for life for a little reassurance.
-there's basically two different roads to take after a surgery like this (especially if stress is one's seizure trigger). be in a constant state of worry, almost waiting for one or expecting the worst, or, keeping upbeat every day (not always easy but worth the effort x a million).
i'm still at a stage where i write down every day i'm seizure-free in my daily calendar book, ie: today, march 9, i am on day 217 sz-free and my surgery was also 7 months ago today. keeping track of these little milestones (every day is one), helps keep my positivity pretty high. i write '217' with a heart around it or '217!!!' and a happy face...... whatever i'm in the mood to add to my number that day, and lol sometimes i'm so stoked that i'm still on the seizure-free train that i draw both!!
not sure if to a non-brain surg patient if that sounds overboard but it doesn't matter, it truly works and my dear, if you do end up facing surgery you will totally understand. counting the numbers my girl... such a great feeling!
on that note my mel is 320 days sz-free today... in 45 days she has gone one year without a seizure. i am so damn excited for her and so proud :bigsmile:
hugs and love and keep me posted
nat.
the first time i tried it i went off after 10 days, my body was like wtf is this? didn't mentally recognize myself and it stressed me out; stress is a big seiz-cause for me so bam! done. give yourself a bit more time, sometimes the beginning effects wear out. doctors have to get it through their heads tho that it's up to US. fingers crossed for you my dear, let me know how it goes. HUGS!!
