Florida Hospital Best in Care: Women and Children - Fall 2012 - (Page 7)

potential damage to surrounding healthy tissues and, in some cases, lowering the risk of side e ects compared with other types of radiation,” explains Dr. Trumble. “Also, Gamma Knife radiosurgery is often a safer option than traditional brain surgery.” Gamma Knife surgery doesn’t require any surgical incisions into the brain, which reduces the risks of surgical complications such as hemorrhage, infection and cerebrospinal ﬂuid leakage. Antonina’s mother, Rosanne, was pleased with how the sta cared for her daughter. “Someone at the children’s hospital sat with Antonina and explained what she was about to go through in terms she could understand and they even let her see the machine,” she recalls. “Although she was scared and cried, everyone was very patient with her. By the time surgery rolled around, she wasn’t nearly as scared.” The procedure was completed in a single day in March 2010 and the only side e ect Antonina experienced was grogginess after surgery. “The radioactive part of the surgery was a big plus for us,” elaborates Rosanne. “Dr. Trumble said that in a year’s time Antonina’s AVM should be fully disintegrated. It’s good for people with AVMs to know about the Gamma Knife.” Another Gamma Knife Success “Because the AVM sat on the stem of her brain, doctors couldn’t physically go in and remove it, so they introduced us to Gamma Knife®,” recalls Antonina’s father, Tommy. “We researched it and found out as much as we could and decided to go with that because that was our best option.” PASSING IT ON Antonina is now extending the same thoughtful care to others that was given to her. During her hospital stay, she noticed other children undergoing chemotherapy who had lost their hair. Antonina was so moved that she donated 12 inches of her own hair through Locks of Love. Now in third grade at Sabal Point Elementary in Longwood, Antonina enjoys playing with her dolls and aspires to be a veterinarian when she goes up. In 2007, Michael Tirone, 35, of Pembroke Pines (pictured above) underwent traditional surgery for a brain tumor in Miami. Two years later, it returned. So this past March he underwent Gamma Knife® radiosurgery at Florida Hospital Orlando with Christopher Baker, MD, neurological surgeon. e Gamma Knife is non-invasive and delivered highdose radiation with precision to shrink or potentially eliminate Michael’s tumor. His results have been successful, and he has returned to daily activities. Gamma Knife also is used for trigeminal neuralgia, acoustic neuromas and other brain diseases. EVENT OCT HOW GAMMA KNIFE WORKS Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a type of non-invasive radiation therapy used to treat tumors and other abnormalities in the brain, including AVMs and trigeminal neuralgia. Despite the name, there are no blades or cutting involved; a dose of gamma radiation is delivered to the target area only. “The precision of Gamma Knife radiosurgery allows us to access high-risk surgical lesions while minimizing SURGERY WITHOUT INCISIONS On ursday, October 18, at 5:30 pm, attend a FREE seminar at Florida Hospital Orlando to learn about Gamma Knife® treatments for brain and nerve disorders that oﬀer pinpoint accuracy without incisions. To reserve your seat, call (407) 303-BEST (2378) today. Christopher Baker, MD, Neurosurgery HEALTHY 00tips Frequent prayer, whether public or private, is associated with better health and emotional well-being, as well as lower levels of psychological distress. THE POWER OF PRAYER FloridaHospital.com 7 http://www.FloridaHospital.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Florida Hospital Best in Care: Women and Children - Fall 2012

Florida Hospital Best in Care: Women and Children - Fall 2012
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Florida Hospital Best in Care: Women and Children - Fall 2012