The amazing story of Nicole Phillips, epileptic and brain surgery patient at Mayo Clinic

Nicole Phillips was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2008 as a teenager. With medication, her seizures were controlled, and she was able to live a normal life. But eventually, the medication stopped working.

Phillips went to Mayo Clinic and ended up getting a brain re-section which removes the abnormal brain tissue that causes the seizures. Phillips was able to resume a normal life. Her story went viral though when her family gave a lift to Arizona Cardinals player Jesse Luketa after he got a flat tire right before a game.

Phillips and Dr. Jonathon Parker, Neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic Arizona, joined us to recount the amazing story.

Epilepsy can be diagnosed at any age as it depends what the underlying cause it, Dr. Parker said.

“Thankfully, in the vast majority of people, medications can control seizures. But unfortunately, in about 30% of people, medications stop working or the seizures become resistant to medication. In that 30%, we have to think about some more innovative surgical options to treat that epilepsy,” Dr. Parker said.

Phillips’ surgery was so risky because the cluster of abnormal neurons, or brain cells, that were causing the seizures were right next the motor area of the brain which controls the left leg, according to Dr. Parker.

“When I woke up from surgery, my whole left side, I couldn’t feel it at all,” Phillips said. However, overtime, all function in her left side came back and she continues to feel completely fine.