Donate to help local mother fight epilepsy

Kempton mother of two wants to get her life back on track because she battles to live with epilepsy.

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Lucinda Sonderblom has battled with seizures since 2016.

“I started having intense headaches in 2016. I went to see doctors who told me to have my eyes and hormone levels tested. They only gave me pain medication,” said Lucinda.

In 2017, Lucinda was involved in a car accident. She said she could not remember whether the light was red or green.

“I then realised I can’t remember simple words or give simple instructions. My right eye would droop. I would battle to speak while having intense headaches.”

Lucinda’s GP sent her to a neurologist. After many tests, they found that she had epilepsy.

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“I was told I have complex partial epilepsy, and it could change into a different type over time.

“Unfortunately, it worsened, and the doctors just kept changing medication to see if any combination would work.

“At the moment, I am being treated for unspecified epilepsy because they can’t say exactly what type I have. I have to take 22 pills, including opioids.”

The distraught yet hopeful mom was referred to another neurosurgeon at Unitas Hospital in Pretoria who does an implant that can decrease or possibly stop her seizures. She is a candidate because her medicine does not work.

“The procedure is called vagus stimulation (VNS). It is a device implanted into the upper chest and connected to the main vagus nerve in the neck.

“The device is a pulse generator that creates tiny electrical impulses that are sent up the nerve into the brain to stimulate various parts,” she explained.

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Although there are side effects such as pain, voice changes, sore throat and sleep apnea, the mother has started a Backabuddy fundraising campaign to get the treatment done.

“Unfortunately, the VNS device is expensive, and only one company imports them at R250 000.

“The neurosurgeon has tried everything to get the medical aid to cover the whole cost of the device, but they won’t. I need to pay R170 000 to the hospital before the operation can be done.

“This isn’t just about me getting my independence back. It is also to remove the fear from my children’s eyes when they find me on the floor having a seizure. It is about having a normal day without thinking if and when I will have an episode.

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“My husband’s life revolves around worrying about work, the children, and then where will he find his wife next?” she added.

Those interested in helping the mother can donate to her cause by searching Lucinda Sonderblom on the Backabuddy platform.

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