Multiple subpial transection

Not exactly the words we were hoping for, but at least Nick still has options. The mapping this morning showed that Nick's seizure focus is located too near his speech and motor areas so he will not have the resection. His loss of function would be too great if these areas were removed. The mapping was interesting but very exhausting for Nick. I read that some patients actually enjoy some of the sensations they experience during mapping, but this was not the case for Nick. It caused him to be very fearful of a big seizure and he stopped multiple times asking for reasssurance. Once the testing was done he got a nice calming dose of Ativan, and he is still sleeping...12 hours later. Today has been the hardest so far, but the Dr.'s have told us how well Nick is doing. They told us most of their patients don't do as well as Nick.
Tomorrow morning Nick will have surgery to have the grids removed and will have the subpial transection. He won't have any tissue removed, but will have tiny slices made in the area of his seizure focus. I don't have the energy to explain the procedure, but it's easy to google.
I am thankful that at least Nick still has options if this doesn't work. Many epilepsy patients are not candidates for grid surgery, so I still feel blessed, but I'm speaking for myself and not Nick. At least we know where Nick's seizures are so this will never be in question. His Dr.'s feel Nick is a good candidate for the deep brain stimulation (neuro-pace) but we will cross that bridge when we come to it.
Nick has been so amazing through all of this. He is such a brave and awesome young man.