Brain Surgery Patient Stories

Patient stories on this page:

• Pituitary and skull base tumors
• Brain tumors
• Neurovascular conditions
• Cranial nerve disorders
• Movement disorders and epilepsy
• Chiari malformations

---

Pituitary and Skull Base Tumor Patients

	Meet Aaron Chondrosarcoma patient With limited treatment options, this Irish teen found a second chance at UPMC. Read Aaron's story
	Meet Nickkie Tentorial meningioma patient When this New Zealand native discovered she had a benign tumor along the surface of her brain, she turned to experts at UPMC to handle her care. Read Nickkie's story
	Meet Steve Cushing's disease patient When the pain and dizziness Steve had been living with for years turned out to be Cushing's disease, he was referred to the experts at UPMC. Read Steve's story
	Meet Eddie Acoustic neuroma patient Afraid that removing his brain tumor could lead to the loss of his hearing, this California resident chose to travel across the country for the expert Gamma Knife® care offered at UPMC. Read Eddie's story
	Meet Leslie Pituitary tumor patient When her blurry eyesight led to the discovery of a brain tumor, this busy manager was thankful to live in Pittsburgh and have easy access to the UPMC experts she knew she could trust. Read Leslie's story
	Meet Carol Craniopharyngioma patient When a large brain tumor began affecting this avid fly fisherman’s vision, she turned to the experts at UPMC to keep her passion going. Read Carol's story
	Meet Elsa Meningioma patient When this busy psychologist was diagnosed with a large meningioma that was pressing against her optic nerve, the experts at UPMC recommended EEA surgery to help restore her sight. Read Elsa's story
	Meet Barbara Acoustic neuroma patient When an acoustic neuroma began affecting her hearing and balance, this busy secretary found hope and relief at UPMC. Read Barbara's story
	Meet Karina Meningioma and optic nerve compression patient When this Mexico native and active mother of two was diagnosed with a large brain tumor that was disturbing her vision, she turned to the experts at UPMC thousands of miles away. Read Karina's story
	Meet Maria Meningioma patient When Spain native Maria del Mar Minguez was diagnosed with a complex brain condition, her family and friends rallied to send her to the experts at UPMC. Read Maria's story
	Meet Conor Angiofibroma patient After being diagnosed with a grapefruit-sized brain tumor, Conor McKiernan and his family found hope across the country, at UPMC. Read Conor's story
	Meet Baylor  Angiofibroma patient This high school football player and his family turned to the experts at UPMC when a rare and large tumor began pushing into his nasal cavity. Read Baylor's story
	Meet Allison Rathke's cleft cyst patient After being diagnosed with a life-threatening brain cyst, this high school senior and her family turned to the experts at UPMC for treatment. Read Allison's story
	Meet Acharya Meningioma patient When a Jain Guru with 1 million followers was losing his sight—and traditional surgery failed—his followers sought sight-saving endonasal brain surgery at UPMC in Pittsburgh. Read Acharya's story
	Meet Edith Odontoid synovial cyst patient This busy registered nurse, faced with the threat of paralysis, found relief and a speedy recovery through EEA surgery at UPMC. Read Edith's story
	Meet Haley Craniopharyngioma patient Doctors first thought Haley Spitznagel was suffering from migraine headaches, but it turned out to be something much more serious. Read Haley's story
	Meet Chester Odontoid Pannus patient This active grandfather, faced with chronic pain and rapid degeneration, found hope, health, and a renewed life with his children and grandchildren. Read Chester's story
	Meet Matthew Angiofibroma patient UPMC surgeons performed an extraordinary, nine-hour surgery that allowed this average 10-year-old to return to the everyday fun of being a kid. Read Matthew's story
	Meet Brant Chordoma patient During the search for someone experienced enough to treat a very rare and aggressive form of bone cancer in his skull, Brant found solace and hope at UPMC. Read Brant's story
	Meet Sharon Craniopharyngioma patient Faced with the loss of her vision, this librarian found new hope with the EEA surgeons at UPMC, who gave her back the gift of sight. Read Sharon's story
	Meet Elizabeth Craniopharyngioma patient After two previous brain surgeries, this woman found UPMC's expert team—and long-awaited relief from an aggressive tumor growing at the base of her skull near the pituitary gland. Read Elizabeth's story
Back to Top

Brain Tumor Patients

	Meet Troy Glioblastoma multiforme patient A large lesion was found in the right parietal lobe of Troy's brain. He found help at UPMC. Read Troy's story
	Meet Mark Epidermoid cyst patient As the mayor of Danbury, Connecticut, Mark turned to the experts at UPMC when a large cyst threatened to end his run in politics. Read Mark's story
	Meet Lauren Brain tumor patient When this dedicated athlete and college student learned she had a massive brain tumor just as she was finishing college, UPMC got her back on her feet, tumor-free, with plenty of time to spare before her graduation ceremony. Read Lauren's story
	Meet Betsy Meningioma patient After being diagnosed with a large meningioma, Betsy underwent a traditional surgical procedure followed by Gamma Knife radiosurgery to keep the tumor from returning. Read Betsy's story
	Meet Joe Brain metastases patient Hoping to return to his active lifestyle after treatment for brain tumors, Joe Stuckert chose Gamma Knife radiosurgery at UPMC. Read Joe's story
	Meet Earl Meningioma patient An apple-sized tumor in Earl Smalley’s brain was causing weight gain, depression symptoms, and low energy. He found relief through the experts at UPMC. Read Earl's story
	Meet John Arteriovenous malformation patient When John Lynch was diagnosed with a potentially fatal brain disorder 25 years ago, he turned to groundbreaking Gamma Knife Radio surgery at UPMC. Read John's story
	Meet Thomas Esthesioneuroblastoma patient When Thomas developed a rare cancer in his sinus cavity, UPMC neurosurgeons acted quickly to remove the mass using the EEA technique. Read Thomas' story
	Meet Travis Juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma patient When Travis needed surgery for a juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, his family saw the benefits of minimally invasive Neuroendoport surgery. Read Travis' story
	Meet William Colloid cyst patient Headaches, memory loss and fainting spells were signs of a life-threatening cyst in William Byrd's brain. He found relief—and a chance to get his life back—at UPMC. Read William's story
	Meet Karen Glioblastoma patient This freelance writer faced the ultimate deadline, as her team of UPMC neurosurgeons raced to remove a tennis-ball sized tumor using the Neuroendoport® approach. Discharged after two days, she began the next stage of treatment and was soon back to her normal routine. Read Karen's story
	Meet Harry Meningioma patient When Harry developed severe personality changes due to a large tumor, he turned to UPMC to get his life back. Read Harry's story
	Meet John Brain tumor patient After being diagnosed with a large brain tumor that was causing vision loss, this renowned woodworker sought the help of the experts at UPMC. Read John's story
Back to Top

Neurovascular Patients

	Meet Dr. Cohen Cavernous malformation patient After Dr. Isaac Cohen, a Florida anesthesiologist, experienced hemorrhages from an abnormality in his brain, he traveled to UPMC for surgery.   Read Dr. Cohen's story
	Meet Heather Cavernous malformation patient When this busy college student suffered a series of life-threatening brain hemorrhages, she and her family turned to experts at UPMC. Read Heather's story
	Meet Ashly Cavernous malformation patient Ten years after undergoing her first brain surgery at UPMC, Ashly suffered from a second brain hemorrhage that required complex care. She once again turned to the chairman of neurological surgery at UPMC, Dr. Robert Friedlander, for his expertise. Read Ashly's story
	Meet Amanda Brain Aneurysm patient When this fitness enthusiast and college senior was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, the experts at UPMC were able to help her graduate on time and pursue her dream career. Read Amanda's story
	Meet Dr. Mark Roberts Brain Aneurysm patient When Dr. Mark Roberts, a professor and a physician was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm, the experts at UPMC were able to help him recover with personalized care. Read Dr. Mark Roberts' story
	Meet David Carotid Artery Stenosis patient When musician David Lucas was diagnosed with carotid artery stenosis, the experts at UPMC were able to help him recover and get back to playing guitar. Read David's story
Back to Top

Cranial Nerve Disorder Patients

	Meet Emerson Hemifacial spasm patient This Delaware resident suffered from debilitating facial spasms for more than three decades before UPMC offered him a solution he didn’t know was possible. Read Emerson's story
	Meet Cordé Trigeminal neuralgia patient This dedicated mom turned to UPMC to help her get her life back when agonizing nerve pain in her face kept her from taking care of her family. Read Cordé's story
	Meet Yongie Hemifacial spasm patient When facial spasms drove her to hide at home and avoid social settings, this New Hampshire native chose UPMC to restore her confidence and her life. Read Yongie's story
	Meet Richard Hemifacial spasm patient When Dr. Van Allan's symptoms from hemifacial spasm became unbearable, he chose to fly across the country to undergo microvascular decompression surgery at UPMC. Read Richard's story
	Meet Gene Trigeminal neuralgia patient When this Korean War Veteran was struck with trigeminal neuralgia that was causing severe facial pain, he turned to the experts at UPMC. Read Gene's story
	Meet Teri Hemifacial spasm patient When this Australian native began having symptoms of Hemifacial Spasm, she found that the most experienced surgeons for this condition were at UPMC. Read Teri's story
Back to Top

Movement Disorders and Epilepsy Patients

	Meet Karen Epilepsy patient Karen’s seizures were interfering with her life, and they weren’t being controlled by medication alone. UPMC’s cutting-edge robotic diagnostic device allowed expert physicians to find the origin of her seizures and stop them. Read Karen's story
	Meet Amanda Hypothalamic Hamartoma patient Suffering from seizures since childhood, 21-year-old Amanda became the first patient in western Pennsylvania to have a Hypothalamic Hamartoma removed using laser thermal ablation. Read Amanda's story
	Meet David Parkinson's disease patient Suffering from severe Parkinson's disease symptoms, David was able to find hope - and relief - through asleep deep brain stimulation at UPMC. Read David's story
	Meet Toni Parkinson's disease patient When this renowned chef’s life was drastically changed after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, he turned to the experts at UPMC for treatment. Read Toni's story
	Meet Karen Essential tremor patient When uncontrolled shaking from essential tremor caused this art teacher to put down her brush, the experts at UPMC recommended DBS to help restore her passion. Read Karen's story. Read Karen's story
	Meet Tim Epilepsy patient When this college student was diagnosed with epilepsy, surgery to remove a portion of his brain responsible for the seizures helped get back his life. Read Tim's story
	Meet Sam Epilepsy patient With a fear of not knowing when another seizure would strike, Sam and his family sought the help of epilepsy surgery experts at UPMC. Read Sam's story
Back to Top

Chiari Malformation Patients

	Meet MaryMartha Chiari malformation patient An avid dancer and singer, MaryMartha faced with a lifetime of symptoms caused by Chiari malformation. She found hope – and relief – at UPMC. Read MaryMartha's story
	Meet Isabella Chiari malformation The first surgery Isabella had to treat her headaches and dizziness didn’t work. After two years of debilitating symptoms, she found UPMC and experienced the healing she’d been waiting for. Read Isabella's story
Back to Top