Right Temporal Lobe Brain Surgery to stop seizures.

Hi , I had left temporal lobe surgery and partial left hippocampus removal in 2006, and to date have been seizure free. I tried every medication under the sun but nothing gave me complte control over my seizures, I was having on average 4-5 seizures a month with no improvement in changes to medications.At the time of surgery I was taking 14 anti epileptic tablets per day,and because I had been taking these medications for 44 years the withdrawal period is very slow but I hope to be completly off my medications by mid 2009.   During the phase of going through all the testing I had a test called an fMRI which at the time was very new, this test  is non invasive ( like a wada test is) but can give similar results,it is worth enquiring about this test if your daughter has not been through this stage yet.   My surgeon gave me a 70% chance of been cured(no doctor had used the word cured before) a 20% chance of the epilepsy been improved but not cured and a 10% chance of no change or worse off. So basically I had a 90% chance of been better off ( as far as seizures are concerned),than I was which were very good odds.  I went through all the worry about will I be the same will i be able to walk,talk,think,etc etc, which was why before I had surgery I had an enduring power of attorney drawn up in case I was unable to manage my affairs should something go wrong in surgery. However it must be an "enduring" power of attorney as a normal power of attorney becomes invalid once something happens to the subject persion.  Another good idea would be to get a field vision test done before surgery this is for your periphial vision and can then compare it with another test about 6-7 months after surgery as the eye muscles need time to repair themselves. I was advised not to attempt to change my prescription glasses for at least 7 months after surgery giving my eyes time to heal.   The brain has no feelings so you dont feel a lot of pain ,apart from a  good headache from been cut open. I was in hospital for 7 days after my surgery  and off work for a total of 7 weeks. I chose to have my surgery done at a private hospital, so much better in every way than our public hospitals here in Australia- better care, quieter, option of private room it all helps in the recovery time you are in hospital. You to can greatly assist her, simply by been there for her,before  going into hospital and supporting her decision,(despite your fears), if you can visit her daily while in hospital, and again when she goes home to help her out. If they use morphine in hospital to help manage the headaches(like I had), she may get teary very easily even for a few weeks once she is home ,it takes time to get out of your system. At the time  I felt that my surgery would not have been possible  if I had not recieved the support I got from my parents, but I was unable, at the time to understand that it was still the effects of the morphine wearing off.   My surgeon described the surgery as been simpler than having your appendix removed. I was fortunate in one way, I found out on the Thursday I was compitable for surgery and was booked for surgery on the following Tuesday, so I only had 5 days to worry once I knew I was compitable.  Originally,when  I was going through the tests to find out if I was suitable for surgery, I felt there was no way I was going to let anyone cut me open and play around with my brain-all that changed once I met my surgeon ,he answered every question honestly and re assuringly . Stay positive and bright  , if your daughter is a suitable candidate I would STRONGLY RECOMMEND she has the surgery it is a Life Altering procedure, she will be able to drive a car,after a qualifying period, go swimming without fear of having a turn just to name a couple of things people with epilepsy cant do. Good luck and I hope the surgery is sucessful.                                                                    Aussie