Help Mateo Through Brain Surgery

Hi, my name is Jackie, and I am fundraising for my son Mateo Peduzzi, who has multiple upcoming brain surgeries. Mateo is 26 years old, and he enjoys working at his job, spending time with family and friends, and playing video games.

At the age of 5, Mateo was diagnosed with Epilepsy at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. For 21 years, Mateo has endured ER visits, hospitalizations, 15 EEGs, video EEGs, 8 Brain MRIs, and has been treated with 11 different medications. Unfortunately, his medications take a toll on him because the adverse side effects significantly challenge his mental and physical abilities. He continues to have multiple seizures a day, and his doctor struggles to find effective medication. Finally, Mateo's doctor has advised that there are no more medication options to try.

Mateo's Epilepsy affects his quality of life. Due to his seizure activity and medication side effects, he has never been able to drive and has always had to rely on others. His day-to-day living is also impacted while also trying to work full-time. This makes it hard to have an independent life. Mateo has struggled with seizures and their effects for far too long, and he is physically and emotionally drained. He is choosing to have these surgeries in the hope of a better life. At this point, the only hope of him potentially being seizure-free is to have brain surgery.

Mateo's first brain surgery is scheduled for April 21, 2022, at Winchester Medical Center in Virginia. It will be an open craniotomy to implant multiple electrodes directly on the brain for monitoring his seizure activity. The data collected will help the neurosurgeon more precisely locate where the seizures are coming from. As a result of the surgery, Mateo will be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for up to 2 weeks. He will have a second surgery during this time to remove the electrodes once monitoring is complete. Mateo will endure a 4-6 week recovery time following the surgeries.

After recovery Mateo will undergo a third open craniotomy to allow the neurosurgeon to pinpoint exactly where the seizures are coming from. This third surgery will help the neurosurgeon determine whether it is possible to remove brain tissue causing the seizures while preserving essential brain functions. If this is not possible, in a fourth surgery, the neurosurgeon will implant a Neurostimulator on his skull that will try to help control the seizures. This will, of course, require another admission to the ICU for up to 2 weeks and another 4-6 week recovery time.

Mateo's family and I want him to be able to focus on his health and recovery and not have to be stressed about his finances. Mateo will not have income for the next 4-6 months since he cannot return to work during his recovery. All donations will go directly to Mateo's living and medical expenses. These brain surgeries will give Mateo hope for a normal seizure-free life! Please pray for Mateo and his recovery and feel free to share this with your friends and family.

Mateo's family and I appreciate all of your love and support through this difficult time.