Can you describe your first seizure?

It happened in my sleep about 11 years ago. When I woke up, my tongue was all bitten up and I didn't know why. My primary care doctor referred me to a neurologist who diagnosed me with epilepsy after a series of tests.

How did you respond to the diagnosis?

I was very scared. The neurologist put me on an antiepileptic drug. With each dose adjustment I'd have seizures less frequently, but I still had at least four seizures a month.

Did the nature of your seizures change?

I got to the point where I could sense a seizure coming on beforehand. I'd feel a tingling in my head. When that happened, my husband would help me into bed.

How did you explain epilepsy to your children?

At the time of my diagnosis, my kids were 2, 6, and 11. My doctor recommended that we show videos of someone having a seizure to the older two so they would know to call for help if something similar happened to me.

How did you decide to have surgery?

Despite trying four different antiepileptic drugs, my seizures were still not controlled. Plus, my supervisor said I couldn't continue in my job as a nursing assistant because of the possibility of a seizure, which could be dangerous both for me and a patient in my care. When my neurologist told me there was an 80 percent chance I'd be seizure free after the surgery, I decided to go for it.

What kind of surgery did you have?

I had a right temporal lobectomy. Surgeons removed a specific part of my right temporal lobe that was causing my seizures. That was about six years ago. Since then, I've had no seizures.

How has your life changed since the surgery?

I'm able to be at home by myself and drive—two things I couldn't do before the surgery. I still take anti-seizure medication but at a lower dose. Every month or so I speak about my experience to other patients who are considering surgery. And about a year ago I started work on my high school equivalency diploma, which is exciting.