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Left Temporal Lobe Lobectomy Effects
Fri, 07/14/2006 - 11:52Topic: Surgery and Devices
Hi there,
I know it's too early to ask, but I was hoping for feedback. I can't help but wonder about the surgery effects, even though the option has not yet come up.
My goal is to work as a college professor. I was doing well in the master's program, but things are on hold due to the seizures. If I qualify for surgery, do you think it will prevent me from obtaining a Ph.D.?
I have simple partial seizures most every day despite experimenting with several meds. The epilepsy is from a brain injury, but it’s the seizures significantly affect my cognitive abilities. I overcame the brain injury effects.
Did anyone feel as mentally strong as they did before the surgery? Did you never regain your former cognitive abilities? Everything is relative, but I'm just looking for other's stories.
Thanks,
Kristine
P.S. The seizures have been occurring for almost a year.
Comments
Re: Re: Re: Left Temporal Lobe Lobectomy Effects
Submitted by mommy2kyra on Sat, 2006-07-15 - 18:03
Hi Sherri,
I can tell you what I thought about when I was about to have surgery: what would happen if I didn't have surgery. I was having intractable seizures. I had tried many meds to control my E. A couple of meds gave me severe side effects (and had to be stopped immed.), some didn't work at all, and others weren't doing enough for me. I reminded myself that I was running out of options, and that I really didn't have anything to lose by trying the surgery. It helped to remind myself that things were only getting worse (seeing as I was running out of options).
I would imagine that you've gone through the entire pre-surgical processing, which is a long road. Remind yourself that they wouldn't do the surgery if they didn't think that your chances of improvement were very high and your risks of surgery were very low. That thought can be a comfort. There are sites out there dedicated to those who are either going through or facing surgery. Being exposed to people who've gone through what you're facing can really help. It helps to see that they've gotten past it. The surgery isn't easy to recover from (emotionally or physically), but LOTS of people have done it. If so many others have been through the same thing and are past it, you can make it too!
Recovery can be tough road for some people. Others have no problems. You never know exactly how you'll handle the surgery. Just hold out hope and faith that you'll make it through. Things will get better! Reach out to others when you need some understanding or words of advice. I wish you the very best of luck, and hope that things go well for you!
Take care!
Heather :)
Re: Left Temporal Lobe Lobectomy Effects
Submitted by Tereasa on Sun, 2006-07-16 - 09:29
Hi I hope things go well. I had my surgery took place January 2006. My surgery couldn't be completed due to complications. To be absolutly positive on the correct part of the brain was the right section Dr. Meyer (Mayo Clinic) put in a grit and wait for my seizer. When the seizer came as long as the reading was good the surgery would be completed. Well I ended up becoming the 1% that started to hemorage and had emergency surgery to stop the bleeding and remove the grit. I was lucky. I lived, and did not end up an invalent. It took a while before I received the use of my right side. It only took a couple of days to get my memorie back and a couple of weeks to use my right side. My right side will never be as strong as what it was and my arm and leg don't always want to cooperate with the brain. I will go into a room to get something and not remember why I'm there. The worst part is not knowing whats to come next. I'm from Michigan and my Dr. is in Minnisota. In February I was to find out if the surgery was going to be completed and here it is July and I still don't know. I went to my nurologist here and he is still waiting for information. I seen him in May. End of June he found out from my surgon that he considers me damaged goods dosen't want anything to do with me. Now my nurologist is trying to talk to the nurologist at Mayo (Dr. Casino) on whether the surgery can be completed. It's up to Dr. Casino. If he feels it can be, He wants me to go and see the surgon at the Cleveland Hospital. I do not regret going threw with the surgery or have hard feelings I'm just disapointed in Mayo for the lack of keeping in touch with me. Make sure you are not just another client.
Re: Re: Left Temporal Lobe Lobectomy Effects
Submitted by MsMedz on Sat, 2006-07-15 - 16:29
Hi Heather, My name is Sherri and you gave some real world advice to Kristina. I agree that every alternative should be considered before surgery is on the table. Finding the "glass slipper" in the world of anti-convulsants can be a long and exhausting process but a good fit is well worth it. I am about to have right temporal lobe surgery and I am suddenly starting to freak. On one hand I desperately want a shot at being seizure free but on the other I am terrified to think what happens if it is not successful. I dread that initial wake up after surgery and that feeling of "where am I" and then the pain. I have always tried to be optimistic until now. The guilt that comes with these thoughts is overwhelming. I am too far into it to back down and cancel the surgery but terrified to go forward. Any advice? Thanks, Sherri