Henmar 1, epilepsy 0

KNYSNA NEWS - When the plight of little Henmar Kapp – who was suffering from epilepsy and did not respond well to treatment – first became known, it led to various businesses raising funds for neurosurgery in February for the almost two-year-old toddler, and early signs are that it was a success.

A relieved mother, Coleen Kapp, said her little boy has not experienced any seizures since the procedure: "Henmar's neurologist at Constantiaberg Mediclinic, who specialises in treating people with epilepsy, is certain that after this operation Henmar will be seizure-free," she said.

"He had sub-dural surgery on 18 February and had to stay in his hospital bed for more than a week, with electrodes connected to his head and in full view of a video camera. The minute he would have a seizure, it would be recorded and the electrical activity in his brain measured to determine exactly where the problem was," she said.

This was followed by neurosurgery on Tuesday 26 February by acclaimed neurosurgeon Dr Roger Melvill of Mediclinic Constantiaberg, who performed Henmar's surgery during a seven-hour operation. Kapp said the side of Henmar's brain was cut open and 9.5cm of abnormal tissue of his temporal lobe was removed. "The process sounds dramatic, and the length of the cut certainly was, but the operation went smoothly and his recuperation so far has been fast."

There is a prescribed recovery period of 10 days during which Henmar needs to remain hospitalised, but, said Kapp, "doctors are amazed at his fast recovery".

"On day two after surgery, Henmar wanted to sit up and on day three he was walking around. It has been a challenge for us all but this journey was definitely worth it. We want to thank each and everyone for making this possible," she said.

* According to the department of health's 2017 fact sheet, epilepsy in South Africa affects an estimated one out of every 100 people. Neither genetic nor contagious, epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by unusual electrical activity in the brain, resulting in seizures.

Henmar with father Michael Kapp in Cape Town before the operations. Photo: Supplied