Brain surgery teen to have first seizure-free Christmas

Angus Bain has suffered debilitating epileptic fits every Christmas for the past 13 years.

But this year the 17-year-old is hoping to have a seizure-free festive season, after undergoing life-changing laser brain surgery just 11 weeks ago.

After years of enduring almost weekly attacks, they appear to have been virtually eliminated by the pioneering procedure.

"I've never had such a long period not having a seizure, it's an amazing relief. I'm so happy," Angus told BBC Scotland News.

"Christmas is a big occasion and now it will be even bigger this year.

"Being able to have this surgery is amazing. I think it could change my life forever by making me able to do the things I haven't been able to do."

Angus, who lives in Gateside, Fife, was diagnosed with epilepsy when he was four years old.

His seizures are so severe they leave him wiped out for days afterwards.

In October a piece of his brain that causes the attacks was removed by laser at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.

It will take a year before he can come off the strong medication he is on so his brain recovers from the surgery but it is hoped he will then be seizure-free.

His mum, Nicki Bain, 48, said: "Our lives have been consumed with Angus's epilepsy since he was four. He has been on lots of very heavy medication, had wires in his head, brain stimulation, so many tests and scans.

"The build-up to him having a seizure would last a few days, then after the seizure it would take another couple of days for him to recover, so I don't think he's ever actually had a normal day.

"He would say, 'I just want to get rid of my epilepsy and get on with my life'."

Angus, a pupil at Strathallan School in Perthshire, said that, although it's early days, he was daring to dream he could go skiing.

It was previously deemed too dangerous for him to ride on a chairlift.

"In the past it made me feel a bit annoyed and upset that it was holding me back and keeping me from doing sport especially rugby," he said.

"And I might also be able to become a singer now, I'd love to do that as a career and to be able to get my driver's licence, something I've not been allowed to apply for as my seizures were too bad.

"I wish I could go to parties with my friends. I see photos of all my friends together and I am jealous that I can't go but they can.

"But it's just been too risky for me with all the seizures I have had."

The pioneering new technology is MRI-guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy (LITT) surgery - which can reach the centre of the brain.

Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity said The Welch Trust bought the £140,000 equipment, which costs £15,000 a year to maintain.

Nicki, from Gateside, said: "The process was absolutely mind-blowing and recovery was fast. You'd never know he'd had brain surgery.

"It's extraordinary that this surgery is now available in Scotland. It's going to change so many lives.

"For the past 13 years, Angus has had seizures at Christmas time. I can't even put into words what it means to him, and all our family, for him to be seizure-free for Christmas this year.

"He's a remarkable boy who has shown so much resilience. His future is looking so bright, and we're incredibly proud and excited for him."

Dr Jothy Kandasamy, consultant neurosurgeon at the hospital, said: "For some patients, by replacing invasive neurosurgery with cutting-edge laser therapy, we not only dramatically reduce risks to these patients, but significantly reduce their recovery time too.

"The laser surgery is a breakthrough for some patients and will give some patients with epilepsy a real chance to live a normal life.

"The surgery has been life-changing not just for Angus, but for the entire family.

"These experiences are what drive me. My patients motivate and inspire me to provide the highest level of neurosurgical care possible to change young people's lives."

To qualify for the laser surgery patients must go through months of scans and tests. They must also have continued having seizures despite being on anti-epilepsy medication.

Roslyn Neely, chief executive officer of Edinburgh Children's Hospital Charity, said: "We are encouraged by the life-changing impact that the laser surgery has had for Angus, and his whole family.

"What an incredible difference this will make to his future, and that of others living with epilepsy who can now go on to have the surgery."

Angus said he now cannot wait for Christmas adding: "I feel like this is a happy ending because I have been through a lot."