Get Nikki to Canada for Epilepsy Treatment

Nikki Attwood is 3 years old.

She started having seizures in Januray 2012. They were short brief seizures that involved eye flickering and left arm twitching and they occurred every 10 minutes. Nikki was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and has been under the amazing neurologist Professor Lakshmi Nagarajan since then and she continues to have frequent seizures (on average 100-200 per DAY).

During the past 18 months Nikki has had 3 MRI's, over 50 EEG's, a PET Scan, 2 SPECT scans, 2 lumbar punctures, genetic testing and more blood tests then we'd like to remember. She has tried 25 different medications and some other therapies that have not been successful. She has spent on average one week every six weeks in Ward 5A at PMH plus monthly, weekly and sometimes daily appointments at the Neurophysiology department. She has unfortunately had 2 ICU admissions that were our most worrying moments. But Nikki has come through every rough patch showing us how strong and amazing she really is.
Nikki has just commenced the Ketogenic Diet. This is a very strict low carb, high fat diet that has had success in cases similar to Nikki. It is a difficult adjustment for Nik but as always she is coping well.

Nikki's diagnosis is called Focal Refractory Epilepsy (Refractory means unresponsive to medication)
Dr Nagarajan and her colleagues believe Nikki's epilepsy is caused by something called Cortical Dysplasia. Cortical Dysplasia is a congenial abnormality and there is no known cause. It essentially means there is a structural abnormality within the neurons in an area of the brain and these neurons misfire causing seizures and her fits are not brought on by any outside element that we can control.
This is only diagnosed by MRI where the spot causing the problems can be identified. Nikki's MRI's have shown an unusual area but have not been able to pin point the 'spot' which is needed for a conclusive diagnosis of Cortical Dysplasia.

The treatment for Cortical Dysplasia is to control the seizures. In Nikki's case, sugical intervention - removing the 'spot' - would give her the best outcome and best chance of no seizures. This is difficult in Nikki for two reasons;

1. The spot has not been identified;
2. The area where the 'spot' is believed to be is next to her motor function therefore surgery would have a high risk of damaging her motor function.

Nikki's family have now been researching other options worldwide. There is an Epilepsy Specialist Centre in Toronto, Canada which has a very good track record in cases similar to Nikki's and we would love for her and her family to get there! The Canadian Centre's success rate at finding the exact spot that needs to be operated on improves Nikki's chances drastically of leading a normal life (studies suggest going to a epilepsy speciality centre improve the chances of finding the exact spot that needs to be operated on from 57% to 91%).

We are raising money for this cause. IF, for whatever reason, Nikki cannot get into the specialist Centre in Canada, all money raised will be donated to Neurophysiology Department at PMH in Australia.

However, IF the Attwood's can make it there (and their chances are high!), their lives will be forever changed because of your generosity, which means the Attwoods (including Nikki and her twin brothers of 2) will be able to lead a more normal life and enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Through all of this Nikki is always smiling, always cuddling, always saying hi to strangers, always trying to climb, play and keep everyone on the run. She is so polite, always thanking hospital staff after they have spent an hour trying to find a vein or sticking 26 electrodes on her head. She does not understand what a seizure is and is developmentally behind but she is incredibly resilient and strong and there is not a doubt in our minds that she is going to overcome this.

Thank you for your help!

*Please note this is the right page for the Postie Bike Ride from Perth to Esperance! Thank you!