Return To Autumn 1996 Index
Mark Lomax makes an appeal for his sister, and former ModelNet girl Tracy Lomax. Tracy, a successful model has so much to live for. Unfortunately, she recently contracted Epilepsy. Mark explains...
My sister Tracy, suffers from a condition called Grand-Mal Epilepsy. I have never had the misfortune to witness the effects of this disease but only the aftermath. These can range from cuts and bruises to the face or body, massive laceration to her tongue causing a severe speech impediment or intense fatigue and weakening to her left leg and right arm. Between fits which at present are occurring on a weekly basis, Tracy forces herself to recover very quickly and continue what is a very stressful lifestyle. She is someone with a positive outlook with enough energy for all around her.
The severity of the fits have worsened over the last two to three years which is when they first began, resulting in massive trauma in the last month. In three consecutive weeks she has bitten into her tongue. With this she is now experiencing an almost permanent weakness in her left leg and right arm which when considering her other occupation as an Osteopath, is mentally as well physically distressing.
Grand Mal Epilepsy is the symptom which arises from pressure on the brain. In Tracy's case, this is caused by the leakage of Cerebro-Spinal Fluid (a naturally occurring substance in the spinal canal) into a cavity in the brain which is usually fluid free. This can be seen on an MRI scan which led to its initial discovery. Cebaceous Cyst has also been shown to be impinging upon the motor cortex of the brain with evidence of Ganglions in other areas. This motor cortex is responsible for movement and speech etc. hence the recent physical effects the fits are having.
It is known that continual fits of this severity cause scarring of the respiratory centre in the Hypothalamus (the main control of the hormonal and respiratory centres). This will eventually limit the ability of the respiratory centre to switch itself back on again having been temporarily switched off during a Grand Mal convulsion. This has other obvious effects such as oxygen starvation to the brain during the period of unconsciousness leading to the possibility of brain damage, paralysis or worse.
To this day the only treatment is anti-convulsive drugs which, one of many side effects is to slow a person down and in Tracy's words "to turn you into a vegetable." Accompanying this treatment is the advice to refrain from alcohol and don't drive, rest, Worse still for a girl like Tracy is the instruction from her doctor: no excitement. And as if this was not enough, if she considers having a child, she would need to come off medication up to nine months prior to pregnancy so risking personal injury as well as injury to the unborn child.
I am an engineer by trade and by no means can I comment on the feasibility of an operation, but attempts thus far to find a cure or a way to prevent the fits seem to have been thwarted by surgeons unwilling to even consider the possibility of some form of operation to drain or release the pressure on the brain. I read and watch television like everyone else and see almost on a daily basis the advances being made in brain surgery. I cannot believe that there is not a way to better this condition without the need to take these debilitating drugs.
I am looking for information on this condition or others who suffer or know someone who does. I am looking for a willingness to share any experiences and avenues that could be explored, possibly leading to contact with surgeons around the world that don't mind stepping out of line and talking of any pioneering work being undertaken in this field.
I have a sister who is one of the beautiful in the world and has so much to live for. Her days are spent curing others of their ailments. I want to give her a chance to carry on doing just that and to have a healthy sister to grow old with.
If you have any alternative suggestions on how to help Tracy, we'd love to hear from you...
