The object of seizure surgery is to remove the part of the brain that seizures are coming from, as long as that part of the brain is not being used and/or controls functions that are transferrable.
I had the surgery because AEDs (anti-epilepsy drugs) weren't working, and I was sick and tired of juggling AED combination after AED combination. I read that once you've tried more than two AED combinations, chances are that AEDs aren't going to control your seizures (intractable epilepsy). Also, it was always a goal for me to drive. Up until 4 months ago, I never had a driver's license (I'm 26 years old :O ). I was determined to gain my independence and win the fight against epilepsy. I requested a referral from my regular neurologist to a neurosurgeon to find out if I was a candidate for surgery. That piece of paper totally changed my life!
I had to go through 6 months worth of testing to make sure surgery wouldn't do more harm than good. Epilepsy surgery is very detailed. They monitor you 24/7 (with video EEG, depth electrodes, and mesh grid electrodes placed on the surface of the brain) and pin-point the exact location(s) that the seizures are coming from. For me, my seizures were coming from the left temporal lobe (85%) and the right temporal lobe (15%). If/when seizures are bilateral, like mine, surgery usually isn't an option. But because the majority of my seizures was coming from the left and I'm right-brain dominant, surgery was doable.
I was hospitalized for 3 weeks (Nov 08). I had 4 different surgeries during those three weeks (depth electrode placement, grid electrode placement, brain mapping, and the removal of my left temporal lobe).
Hope this helps,
Tristin Seagraves :)
(seizure-free since surgery!)
--- On Thu, 12/31/09, brianamorse@
From: brianamorse@
Subject: Re: [epilepsy] Re: Post Surgery Memory
To: epilepsy@yahoogroup
Date: Thursday, December 31, 2009, 5:36 PM
Hello, please educate me on why you had this surgery, was it to prevent seizures. Just trying to understand what my brother might have go through.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
-----Original Message-----
From: "Steve" <stephenpales@ yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:56:12
To: <epilepsy@yahoogrou
Subject: [epilepsy] Re: Post Surgery Memory
Hi Doris,
Remember, age doesn't help your memory (big smile)? And anyway, if you had a left temporal lobectomy, I would guess you use the right side of the brain not so much the left side. Your left temproal lobe has been shriveling up since your epilepsy began (big smile). Hey, take a look at your MRI to see it! So surgery 11 years ago, I don't think would cause the change. But what would I know, I'm missing part of my brain (giant giant smiling ear to ear)! I'm right brained, had my left temporal lobectomy 3 1/2 years ago. My WADA test showed my left side of the brain is worth diddlysquat (hmmm, never tried spelling that before). That's why my surgery didn't harm my memory. But I've notice a memory change lately, but most people my age have notice changes in that. I'm still young though, I'm just 52 years young. Take care, keep a smile on your face!
Steve
--- In epilepsy@yahoogroup s.com, "DorisY" <dorisellen@ ...> wrote:
>
> I wonder what your situation is concerning current memory post
> brain surgery. I had left temporal 11 years ago, and I am
> definately having increased trouble with current memory. It scars
> me to wonder if this has any possible connection to alzenheim.
> I fear the option of even getting tested for that.
>
> If you might have experienced anything similar, please advise.
>
> Happy New Year 2010 to you and yours.
>
> Doris
>
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
No comments:
Post a Comment