A Chance Encounter Leads to Seizure Surgery

I just wanted you to know how you have blessed one young man's life.

My 22-year-old stepson has been having seizures for the past 17 years. We have tried everything, but nothing worked. Antiseizure meds, ketogenic diet, Vagus Nerve Stimulator—all good treatments, but Chris was past that. Surgery was never an option we considered. It would amount to a lobotomy! As he got older, his seizures got worse and they occurred farther and farther from home. It got to be dangerous.

Then, by coincidence, I stumbled upon a copy of your magazine and read an article headlined "Surgery May Stop the Seizures If the Drugs Don't" [Spring 2005]. Chris's mom told his neurologist about it. The neurologist was thinking the same thing and referred Chris to Harbor View Medical Center in Seattle. Over several months, they did tests to verify Chris was a candidate for this surgery.

Chris had his surgery this past March 7. Everything went perfectly, every step of the way. Since then, he has not had a seizure. He will continue taking his antiseizure medication for a year just in case.

His family cannot thank you enough. Although Chris has damage from all his seizures, he has a chance at a normal life. - Jeff Hastings, Wenatchee, Wash.

Janet Reno's Active Life as Parkinson's Therapy

Your feature on Janet Reno's matter-of-fact approach to her Parkinson's disease [Jan/Feb 2006] should serve as an inspiration for patients and caregivers alike. I was especially impressed by her emphasis on physical activity, and was somewhat regretful that my family did not encourage my father to stay active shortly after he first experienced Parkinson's symptoms 35 years ago. He was a lifelong tennis junkie, and his skills quickly deteriorated. "It's as if I never played before!" he'd often lament. This frustration led him to quit playing. Unfortunately, neither we nor his doctors helped him to seek out alternative exercise regimens. Secretary Reno's experience convinces me that doing so might have improved the quality of his later years. The lesson is: So your backhand's gone, nor can you paddle a kayak—so what? Do something else! - Michael Keller,  Hollis Hills, N.Y.