In about April of 1990 I was living in a small town in Upstate, NY, justgraduated from Community College and I saw an article about the VNS, "Ifinterested in this study please contact us." I told to my Mom and dad aboutit but we decided to put it on hold because my Grandmother was very ill.After she passed away in Aug I saw another article in parade Mag I think, andcalled them up. I went down to Temple University in Philadelphia where I hadan interview, I met with DR Manon and DR Z - the Inventor of the NCP.I was accepted in to the Study, that was in Oct of 1990, and for 3 months justkept a seizure dairy, to get a base line. In March of 1991 I had the Implantimplanted, I was #16, for two weeks it was kept off to see if my body wouldaccept it or not. During this whole time I was being followed by a Reporterfor the Philadelphia Inquire, the Science Editor. When they turned theimplant on we did not know if I in the "High or Low" wave length as this waspart of the double blind study. I sorta had a feeling it was set at the highsetting as the milli amps were at a very low setting. After another 3 months,when that part of the study was over, they changed the setting to Low I thinkthe wave length was set 185 and the milli amps turn up, I went as high as 4.75Milli ampas and was DOING GREAT I was seizure free for 11 months but than thebattery died.I had had 2 new generators since this time and my seizures are down about 75%.The only real side effect that I have had is my voice getting a little horsebut as you know that is easy enough to over come.I am part of the patient Advisory Board and we met in Orlando, FL in 96 rightafter my last battery change, it was Great to meet the folks from Cyberonics,they are as nice in person as they are on the phone.I would love to talk with others with the "toaster oven" as my brother namedit.Take care - Chris