PRAISE
AND PARALYSIS
Life After A Hemispherectomy
PRAISE
AND PARALYSIS
Life After A Hemispherectomy
CONTENTS:
| What a Seizure feels Like | |
| Paralysis | |
| Side Effects | |
| My Pre-Op Questions | |
| A Peek Inside | |
| How I Quit Smoking | |
| Spiritual Gift | |
| Disclaimer | |
| Search Helps | |
| Left Brain Creations | The night
before Jesus came |
Welcome to my web site! My name is Mary
Jo Hutson. I had to have one half of my brain removed four years
ago (at age 37). I had a misdiagnosed deizure disorder since I was
14 years old. After six brain surgeries that didn't help. It
was finally diagnosed as Rasmussen's Encephalitis. The only
symptom I had was the severe seizing. I tried all the anticonvulsants,but
they didn't help the Status Epilepticus I lived in everyday.The night before
the hemispherectomy,the nurse counted over 200 seizures in her shift.
Now, I am seizure-free,but paralyzed on my left side. I am able to
take care of myself and live alone. I want to share this miracle
with everyone it can help. I am living proof that God exists and
cares about His people. Without His hand in my life I would not be
alive today. I want to thank God by helping others. Especially
others facing the transition from ablebodiness to the disabled life. It
can be a very lonely time with too many questions. I would like to
help parents making the surgery decision for a child. I am willing
to share what I've learned in my wheelchair with anyone I can help or inspire.
I hope to blaze a trail for other hemisperectomy
patients to follow. I feel a responsibility to help others facing
the unknowns of this rare surgery. I wanted to talk to someone
who had had this operation before I had mine,but no one was available.
Now, I am claiming the position as mine. I want to be there for you.
I've documented everything I've experienced to the best of my ability.
If I've overlooked something,please ask me. I was an EEG Tecniologist
so I have some formal training to help.
THANK YOU TO:
God, for your love and wisdom.
My Entire Family:
Jill,for the computer.
Vicki,for continually improving my quality of
life.
Mom, for the Christian upbringing and today's
friendship.
Mike,for helping me through the seizures.
Jay,for my first computer.
Mark,for your inspiration.
Greg,for the transportation to Mayo Clinic and
your belief in Jesus Christ.
Dr. Michael Risinger, for a correct
diagnosis and treatment of my "seizure disorder"
