NeuroTalk Support Groups - Epilepsy Surgery: Discovery Channel Special

Wow! I must say that was an impressive special. I didn't expect as much detail (and extreme graphic nature) as I saw. Most shows that feature Epilepsy seem to give a basic description. This one nailed it down, and gave one example of a boy who made me realize I could be a hell of a lot worse.

They went into detail about his seizures, the testing done and *gasp* the medication and the cruel side effects.

I can only hope many people who were previously unfamiliar with Epilepsy had seen this show. My partner watched it, and I think he has a much better grasp on the actual severity now. Watching this boy broke my heart because all he wanted was to do something on his own. His seizures were so severe and so frequent he could not be left alone as a teenager. What really got me, was he said, "I promised this girl after my surgery that we can go swimming."

His mother was a Native American medicine woman, as he was also. However, given their culture and some type of rules per practice, you cannot 'cure' your own children or family. It is a selfless gift, as she had stated. So before the surgery, the Neurosurgeon allowed her to "bless" his hands by doing a sort of prayer (I forgot what she had called it). Furthermore, this part was intriguing; after the second surgery - the mother was given the removed portion of his brain that was causing the seizures along with the hair removed so that she could bury it (per request, culture based).

The Neurosurgeon seemed amazing, they also went a bit in depth on him as well. What drove him, what he does this work for, etc. It was nice to see not only the patient, but the family and the medical staff involved.

If you missed this, try to catch it on one of the later dates this month. Keep in mind, it is very graphic and will show actual seizures and the surgeries. He has several tests as well as one surgery (the grid placement) to pinpoint and the next surgery to remove the portions of the brain causing seizures. This is VERY graphic, I cannot stress that enough. My partner covered his eyes about 15 times total and squirmed quite a bit. But after they showed the 'pill drawer' and stressed how it left the boy in a daze, took his personality, etc. He said, "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you about the medication side effects" (he couldn't grasp why my short term memory left).

This show should be shown to more people, because simple educational videos aren't raw enough. It was an amazing show and I'd suggest encouraging all of those in your life to watch it if possible. You can read, and you can watch educational videos with actors - but nothing is as accurate as the real thing. This show addressed every aspect of Epilepsy that those who suffer would probably appreciate to see addressed (no matter how upsetting some of it was).

I had a fear tear jerker moments, but I had a reality check. I admire what a tight bond this boys family had, and could only wish every Neurologist was like this boys Neurosurgeon (he's in San Francisco, btw).

What I liked the most was seeing the tests done, and watching exactly how it looks during a seizure. I always wanted to know what it looked like. I hope this boy knows he gave hope to a lot of people.