I had a left temporal resection done 14 years ago. It was a long and drawn out process. I first had the video eeg monitoring, then came a PET scan, WADA, and a neuropsychological exam. The testing process took almost four months until I knew whether I was eligible for surgery.

They removed almost my entire hippocampus. I am blind in my upper right peripheral vision, which is not even noticeable to me. For about two years afterwards, I stuttered occassionally while talking. Since then, I have not had that problem anymore. I have been seizure free ever since the surgery. It changed my life completely. After about 4 years, I was taken off of my medications and have not had to take them since. I recommend the surgery for anyone that is eligible. I just wish it had been available many years before I had it done.

hi i am scheduled for all the tests you had scared to death of the possibilty of left temporal lobe resection your story was very uplifting not that this has anything to do with this being an rn some times its okay to feel human not driving not able to work etc etc nerver thought nurses should be subjected to this thanks again for your feedback doylie

I had a partial right temporal lobectomy 8/31/93. While I'm not off meds or seizure free, I'm better off than B4. I went from 1 or 2 grand mals a week and 6-9 complex partials a day before the surgery to 1 small grand mal nocturnal seizure about every 2 or 3 weeks. Since they all have been nocturnal for the last 16 yrs, I'm able to drive again, at least in my state (PA). I don't want to scare you, but there are risks w/any surgery. I suffered 2 hemmoragic strokes, while under the knife. With the lasers they use now, they used it back then, but not w/me because the scar tissue was too deep, it carterizes the blood vessels as they cut. I personally know 8 other people that had this type of surgery, I used to run a support group for people w/seizure disorders, and all of us would do it over again. I'm the only one who still takes seizures and 3 of us still take AED's. They told me afterward that mine are a result of the strokes. But still, life is so much better now than before. CHECK and see if they can use a laser, or have to use a scapel. Better results w/the laser. I hope you get this in time, cuz I'm new to this site and would have replied sooner. Best of luck to your partner!