Hello Everybody!
Tomorrow morning I undergo the first of two scheduled surgeries in an attempt to eradicate my seizures.
Two "grids" will be placed surgically on the surface of my brain. One will be on my frontal lobe, and the other will be on my left temporal lobe. My seizure focus (The origin point of my seizures, which is the same cluster of neurons for every seizure) has been narrowed down to these two spots. The grids will record all epileptic activity between now and September 9th using EEG monitering. They will also be used for some other cool tests which I will explain later in my brain blog.
This first surgery will not eliminate seizures, so don't get too excited. It will begin a week-long (and end a years-long) process of gathering data in an attempt to discover the the exact spot within my brain that the seizures originate.
During the second surgery, the grids will be removed. If the seizure focus is located and it won't effect essential brain function to do so, (for example, speech or memory) the seizure focus (yes, part of my brain!) will also be removed. This is called "resection"
For some baffling reason, the first question I often get has to do with what my scars will look like. I'll take a picture in a couple days.
Also, along similar lines, they aren't going to shave my head, but if I have time today, I'm gonna shave my own head, because I can't wash my head during my stay at the hospital. You'll understand why when you see pictures of me. ...If I don't shave it, my hair will become sticky and smell like fart. Not pleasant.
Also
The risk of something going wrong is extremely low. I will be in a room filled with the most trustworthy surgeons and doctors in the world, and they know my brain well. They have been working on my case for a while now. However, you may not hear from me until Thursday because it takes some time to recover.
Later,
Paul's Brain
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/temporal-lobe-resection
Thanks for the update. We are praying all goes well and you get favorable results. Keep us posted as best you can!
ReplyDeleteDear Paul's Brain,
ReplyDeleteWe're planning on having a going away party for chunks of your frontal and temporal lobe in a few weeks. We're sorry to see you go, but to be honest, you've given Paul quite a headache.
Well, I can tell you that Paul did great today on the first surgery. The procedure began at 910am and he was in his room in the ICU by 230pm. He was alert, talking and looked great. He did say he had a headache. Gee, ya think?! Now the real fun begins. 9 days of seizures to be monitored in the epilepsy unit. However, I see that light at the end of the tunnel! I am anxious to see the actual surgery site. Paul requested his name and a lighening bolt be carved into his head. Not sure the doctor would be that artistic. I told him that when this was all said and done, I would just take him for a tatoo! Who's in??
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update Keely!
ReplyDeleteSaturday Sept. 3, 2011
ReplyDeleteI went to U of M about 9am this morning. Paul is in an EEG monitoring unit. His color was good but he is not as chipper as he was the day of surgery. The anesthetic has worn off and his pain is pretty bad. They have him on morphine and oxycontin. The oxy doesn't take much of the pain away and tends to make him tired. The morphine helps with the pain but tends to make him sick to his stomach. Today is the first day that he has not thrown up and he has managed to keep down some graham crackers. He lays very still and very quiet. I know he is trying to be strong for those around him...especially his mom. You can see in his eyes the effects of the drugs and the fact that this is way more painful then any of us thought it was going to be. --For these obvious reasons, Paul is not really talking on the phone.
The good news is is that all the seizures are coming from the left side of the brain. They will continue monitoring and on Tuesday and Wednesday they will begin mapping. This will pin-point where the seizures are coming from and what, if any, areas of mobility, memory, sight etc..would be affected. If all goes well, surgery will be on Friday Sept 9th.
As i learn more, I will let you know. Please keep Paul in your Prayers.
Praying for you this am Paul !
ReplyDelete