My journey with Epilepsy started when I was 9 months old. I struggled with epilepsy all my life from being called the Exorcist to being limited on activities I could do. In 2013 I started working on my degree in Human Services. In 2015 I had so many seizures during that semester that I decided now was the time to have the surgery. I talked to my epileptologist at MNCEP and told him my wishes. We started all the testing to make sure I could have it done.
In 2016 I had gone through with the surgery on the right side of my brain. I have to say it was a life changer for me in many ways, both good and bad. I have had less than five seizures since the surgery, I work a full-time job now, I am only on one medication now instead of three, and I have completed my bachelor’s degree in Human Services.
The downside of the surgery for me is having headaches all the time, and mild memory loss. The memory loss is usually conversations I may have had with someone or having locked my door and thinking I didn’t seconds after I walk away. If I had to do it all again I would do it with the care team I had. The Neurosurgeon I had Dr. Michael Park and his team were down to earth and answered all my questions. Even post op anything I needed or had questions about he answered.
In 2019 I got married and have been thinking about starting my family. My epileptologist got me off all the unsafe meds for pregnancy, and the team at MNCEP has been in constant contact to make sure my needs for a safe pregnancy are met. Having an epileptologist who listens to your concerns and cares about your quality of life is the best thing a person with epilepsy can ask for.
