For years, I endured constant pain and numbness. It began in my ear and gradually spread to half of my face. While driving, I would sometimes experience a sudden, intense jolt of pain, forcing me to call someone to pick me up. At its worst, my brain felt so heavy, I couldn’t think.
Moments with my children were the hardest. They would ask me to play with them, and I had to watch their smiles disappear when I told them I physically couldn’t. It broke my heart every time.
In 2012, I traveled all over Ontario, consulting neurologists and neurovascular surgeons. I needed answers. They found a brain bleed in my left temporal lobe but were unable to alleviate my pain. This condition was likely a result of my abusive background.
In 2017, while scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post about Dr. Andrew Parrent at London Health Sciences Centre. A woman in one of my groups recommended him, praising his cutting-edge neurology research. Hope sparked in me for the first time in years. After persistent efforts, I finally secured a referral to see him.
From my first appointment, I knew Dr. Parrent was determined to help; however, there weren’t many treatment options available. He proposed a more radical approach, which he described as a "Frankenstein-type" procedure. It involved drilling at the top of my head and putting electrodes at the location of pain receptors in my brain. Despite the fearsome nature of the surgery, I was willing to do anything: even paralyzing half my face to feel better.
But then Dr. Parrent retired, introducing me to Dr. Jonathan Lau. I could immediately tell Dr. Lau genuinely cared. He was also approachable. He would show up to my appointments with a hat and a red-and-black backpack, he felt like a peer. Dr. Lau proposed a potentially safer, less invasive plan to address my pain.
I've had countless consultations with different neurosurgeons. This was the first time a neurosurgeon had agreed to help me!
On May 11, 2022, I underwent surgery to implant a trial stimulation system targeting the trigeminal nerve, a system most commonly used for spinal cord stimulation. By November 17, 2022, I became the first person in Canada to have this stimulator permanently implanted and used. This groundbreaking technology includes a charging device and a remote, allowing my neuromodulation team to connect via Bluetooth. It’s truly impressive equipment.
Dr. Lau's lab is funded by donations. There, he conducts trials for new procedures, helping patients like me. Thanks to his innovative approach, I am now almost completely pain-free for the first time in my life. This transformation motivated me to plan positively for my future. Reflecting on my happiest childhood memories—playing school with my cousin, who is now a grade 6 teacher in the French school system—I decided teaching with her was at the top of my to-do list.
I’m now in my second year of Collège Boréal, studying social work and early childhood education. This summer, I expanded my studies to include business administration classes, specifically a project management class to improve my presentation and public speaking skills. This is just the beginning. Eventually, I want to work with an agency supporting children with special needs, using education to combat abuse and ignorance.
My grandmother used to say, “I couldn’t dream without you.” I never understood what she meant until after the surgery. Now, I feel like I can finally dream. Dr. Lau enabled me to dream.
One of the best parts of my recovery has been playing in the snow with my children, Mason and Melody. For the first time in 30 years, I felt the cold touch my face without pain. I had forgotten how the snow tickles your cheek as it melts. It was incredible!