New
Epileptic Surgery
Thurston - A local woman plagued by epilepsy
her whole life is now seizure free. She took part in a
new surgery at UCLA Medical Center in California, and
hopes others will look into the procedure.
Becky Willis became epileptic at age five
and had three to five seizures every month until a few
years ago. A Eugene neurologist found scar tissue on Willis's
temporal lobe from forceps used during her breech birth.
The doctor then put her in touch with UCLA Medical Center
where she underwent surgery to remove the scar tissue.
Now Willis is off medication and has been
seizure free since July of 2000. "It's great. I can
hold my grandson for the first time without being afraid.
I can swim, I can ride a bike and best of all, I am learning
how to drive," says Willis. She wants others who
have epilepsy to look into the procedure. "I would
definitely give it a shot," Willis says. "It
has totally changed my life."
UCLA is now holding a clinical trial called
ERSET, or Early Randomized Surgical Epilepsy Trial. For
more information, call 1-800-352-9424.
Support the BRI!