Hi, my name is Aidan Radford and I am 13 years old.

In the summer of 2011 when I was 10 years old I began feeling funny sensations and my body would do strange things that I had no control over - I was unable to explain the feelings I had apart from them being strange.  My Mum decided she should take me to the Doctors, they didn’t know what was happening so sent me to the Hospital to see a Paediatric Doctor.  He didn’t know what was wrong either but suggested I was developing something called a ‘tick’ or I was struggling with my nerves and having panic attacks.  There was no treatment he could offer me other than some kind of counselling and said he would see me again in six months.  During these six months, things began to develop a little more and I was having the uncontrollable sensations and motor movements more regularly.  My Mum videoed some of them on her phone to show the Doctors at the Hospital.  We went back to the Hospital after six months and were still no further forwards with a diagnosis.  It was suggested that I should go to Southampton Hospital for an Electroencephalography (EEG), the results of which came back all o.k.   I was then sent for a sleep deprived Electroencephalography (EEG) in September, 2012 which showed an abnormality from the left hand side of my brain and suggested that the abnormality was giving off epileptic discharges – finally I had a diagnosis, Focal Epilepsy caused by a possible abnormality from the left side of my brain.  In September 2012 I started medication to try and control these seizures.  I gradually had to increase my medication till I got to the highest dose I could go to – I felt like rubbish.  I could no longer control my temper, I was emotional, tired, forgetful and very low.  It was also recommended that I had an MRI, which I had in October, 2012,  the results from this were clear. So this was it – I had Epilepsy, no reason for it – I just had to come to terms with the fact life as I knew it was going to change.

In time my medication increased and I struggled with all the side effects.  My seizures were nowhere near under control, in fact they were getting worse and more severe.  I would have 2-3 a day, sometimes every day for a week, then nothing for a few days, then the seizures would start again.  In January, 2013 I was playing football, I turned to speak to my coach when I blacked out – the next thing I remember was waking up in hospital.  I had had a 45 minute seizure.  My GP decided to step in and insist I went to Southampton General to see a Neurologist.  This was organised and in March, 2013 I went for my first appointment with a Neurologist.  We went through the whole history of events, they asked if I had had an MRI which I had.  Mum explained it had been done on the Island and was all clear, no abnormality found.  The Neurologist asked if we would mind if they got a copy of my MRI to check at one of their next meetings.  They suggested starting a second medication, this controlled my seizures for a while but I was having quite bad side effects still from the first medication  The doctors decided to wean me off the first medication then introduce another one.  I had a severe reaction to the third medication, so within weeks of starting I was weaned off that too.

In May 2013 we received a phone call from Southampton Hospital to say they had had the meeting and checked my MRI.  I now needed an emergency MRI  in Southampton as they had found an abnormality in my left occipital lobe. They were unsure what this was so carried out more tests to consider what the next steps in my treatment would be.  This was when the whirlwind began.  I had to go for an in-depth eye examination as the lesion that had been found was in my occipital lobe, which could affect my eye sight.  I had the ophthalmology appointment and my eyesight was fine.  I also had to have a test to see how my brain was functioning.  As well as all this going on, I ran a 10km Superhero Run in London to raise funds for ‘Young Epilepsy’ a charity that had become close to our hearts.

In August, 2013 I went into Southampton Hospital for a week to have Videotelemtry (a week long EEG whilst being recorded too).  The doctor decided once I was all wired up, to stop my medication, as the aim of my week stay was to try and capture seizures and check that the epilepsy was coming from the lesion in my occipital lobe.  My medication was stopped and by midday I had the first of many seizures.  The next morning I was put back on full dosage of my medication as all information required had been gathered and it was becoming dangerous to keep me off my medication any longer.  After this my Neurologist decided to try me on one more medication which gained the best control of my seizures, although I was still suffering many auras and the occasional seizure (once a week), it was the best combination I had been on so far.

Once all my results had been gathered, the hospital decided that the only way to help me would be to operate and remove the abnormal area.  That was when I was referred to Great Ormond Street  Hospital.  I had an appointment for another MRI in London in November, 2013 to check any change in shape/size of my lesion since May.  We had many appointments in different departments between London and Southampton, then finally we had an appointment to meet the Neurosurgeons in May, 2014.  The doctors went through their plans and all the pros/cons of operating, but we were made aware that without surgery, I would not get better, more than likely worse and my current medication would only reduce my seizures for a short period and they would soon be back with avengence.  After talking it was decided that the best thing to do would be, as the doctors recommended – an operation.

In August, 2014, I had a Left Occipital Lobe Lesionectomy carried out by Mr.Tisdall at GOSH.  Within 5 days I was recovering at home and feeling a lot better.  I have been back to GOSH for my 6 week check and Mr. Tisdall was happy with my progress and was happy for me to return to my passion – football.  I have had my full visual fields checked again since the operation and my eyesight is still 100%. 

We also had the results of my biopsy which was all good and no further treatment is required at the moment.  After 6 months the doctors will begin to reduce my epilepsy medications and see what happens.  I still have more tests and scans to go but all is looking very positive and I am just so grateful to the epilepsy and Neurosurgery team at GOSH for giving me back my life.  That’s why we have decided to do something and raise as much money as possible for this amazing Hospital.  Without them I would be still very poorly and suffering from many seizures a day but since August, 2014 I have been seizure free!!! My family and I and feel the miracle they have worked for me certainly deserves recognition.  We will be eternally grateful for what they have done for me.

To help raise funds we will be taking part in the Isle of Wight Randonee in May, 2015.  This involves cycling around the Island but the real challenge will be with Simon, one of our workshop supervisors.  He has decided to cycle the Randonee 10 times.  This is covering 1000 km non stop.  Obviously this is a big challenge and would be very grateful if you could find it possible to donate to this very worthwhile cause – any amount would be very much appreciated.

 Please make any donations payable to  Bartletts Service Station Fundraising.

Many thanks for taking the time to read my story.

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