A Chelmsford man who underwent a drastic surgery to stop his seizures says that so far, it has proven to be a success.
On Oct. 7 surgeons in Toronto opened Andrew Way's skull and carefully removed a small piece of his temporal lobe, which they determined had been causing seizures since he was in his early teens.
“I was pretty nervous and scared going into the operating room,” Way said. “How many people would willingly walk in to have a piece of their brain cut out?”
But less than a month since the surgery, Way said he hasn't had another seizure.
Because of his medical condition – and back problems due to injuries from past seizures – Way has not been able to work consistently.
If he qualifies for back surgery, and is able to ween himself off his seizure medications, he said he could pursue his dream of becoming an aircraft mechanic.
Prior to his surgery, Way started a Go Fund Me campaign so his wife, Stephanie Hall, could be by his side in Toronto.
The campaign, along with in-person donations from friends and family, was a success.
“It was really helpful to have her there,” Way said.
He was especially thankful of the fundraising efforts Della Gauthier, his mom's neighbour and friend, put together to help his wife join him during his surgery.
Way said it's still too early to know if the surgery has completely cured his epilepsy, but he is remaining positive.
“I hope what he (his surgeon) did works,” he said.
