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Temporal lobe surgery
Tue, 07/28/2009 - 03:05Hello to everyone who lives with and loves a person with uncontrolled epilepsy.
My beautiful 9 year old daughter is due to have surgery on the 29th of Sept 2009. Whilst we are excitied about the prospect of, 70% chance of becoming seizure free - we are concerned about the issue of stroke associated with the surgery.
Has anyone experienced negative effects of the surgery?
Concerned mother. Regards, Anne-Marie
Re: Temporal lobe surgery
Submitted by tjsqueak on Sat, 2009-09-26 - 05:12
While it took the doctors a year to talk me into having surgery, I can tell you that for me it was the right move. I wish that I hadn't waited- and I had it done in 1985! I honestly think that anyone considering it needs to make sure they get a realistic assessment about the pros and cons. If surgery is the best option and the risks are minimized (like not being the dominant hemisphere of your brain, the trauma being localized, etc.) it is better NOT to wait. On the other hand, my husband had the surgery and the outcome was not the best. Seizures are still not controlled, it was on the dominant hemisphere and consequentially he has experienced quite a bit of memory impairment. Things that seems to make a difference include the amount of time from the development of the condition to the time of surgery- the longer you go having seizures, the more potential trauma the brain can incur, whether or not the damage is localized, and where the exact location of where the trauma is. When in doubt, consider getting a second opinion. Good luck & best wishes!