On Friday, September 6, 2019, Emma went for VNS Surgery at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

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The surgery lasted approximately 1.5 hours while Emma was sedated under general anesthetics. The surgery consisted of two incisions, one on her left chest where the generator would be implanted, and the other on her neck, where the lead would be connected to the Vagus Nerve.

​While the surgery is typically an out-patient procedure, due to an hour delay getting started, as well as the way in which Emma responded to the meds (morphine), it turned into an overnight stay at the hospital.

To help Emma's brain and Vagus Nerve get accustomed to this new treatment, the generator was turned on to a low setting, which will be set for about 4-6 weeks. The generate will send a current of 0.25ma (milliamp) to stimulate the nerve every 5 minutes for 30 seconds - all day and every day. When the unit detects a seizure, usually due to an increase in her heart rate, or if the magnet is swiped over Emma's chest, the dosage will then increase to 0.50ma for 1 minute. The lifespan of the generator is about 7 years, at which point the device would be swapped out with a new one, provided the therapy is working.

After the first month or so, the current will be increased gradually, as long as Emma can tolerate it, to continue to prevent seizures, or reduce the intensity and/or duration of them.

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For more info: AboutKidsHealth