Neurosurgery and a deep, enduring doctor-patient relationship – Cyber Tech

After months of complications, an episode of wordlessness, after which a near-fainting spell, Jessica Haayer of Ventura, California, underwent a CT scan of her head. The radiologist referred to as an hour later and directed her to the closest emergency room in Ventura, the place an ambulance introduced her to the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Heart.

Following an MRI, Haayer met with Ali Jamshidi, MD, a cranial neurosurgeon, fellowship-trained in cranium base and cerebrovascular surgical procedure. He evaluated her imaging and advisable an awake surgical process so he may obtain dwell suggestions from Haayer whereas eradicating the grapefruit-sized tumor in her mind.

Awake and engaged

“I wished to check her operate throughout the resection, so I knew the tissue removing wouldn’t hurt her,” mentioned Dr. Jamshidi.

Earlier than the 8-hour surgical procedure, he studied the white matter maps and angiogram of her mind, mapping out the crucial blood vessels near the tumor. “I tailor each method to the affected person in order that my angles of assault to the surgical goal are each efficient and environment friendly.

Haayer underwent the prolonged surgical procedure on Might 12, 2023, and remembers the dialog she had within the working room with a neurologist who was actively testing her whereas Dr. Jamshidi eliminated her tumor. “I advised them my complete life story,” she mentioned. “I talked about touring and what sort of music I like. I adopted instructions: did little actions of my knees, fingers, ankles, round and round,” she mentioned.

A sport plan for survival

Two weeks post-surgery, Jessica had staples faraway from her scalp. She then began 7 weeks of radiation remedy, Monday via Friday, all of the whereas persevering with to work as Santa Clarita Canyon Excessive College’s Division 1 Women’ Basketball coach — teaching and setting an instance for her college students, whom she calls “my children.”

“I can’t simply sit round,” mentioned Haayer. “I try to inform my children we’re manner stronger than you assume.”

Haayer had her surgical procedure at 39 years previous. She has saved match and been busy all through her complete remedy. “Lots of people fall into illness. I wish to dwell to be 100 and do every little thing I can to dwell. I finished ingesting, modified my weight-reduction plan, went keto, misplaced 40 kilos, after which my medical doctors advised me I wanted to cease,” she recalled.

A bond past medication

Haayer feels particularly bonded with Dr. Jamshidi. “He’s a magician. He’s my man,” she mentioned. “I belief him greater than anybody. We discuss after each MRI.”

Dr. Jamshidi is aware of that every affected person is exclusive. “I can actually comprehend my sufferers’ issues, permitting us to attach on a person foundation, soul to soul.”

Watch the video of the doctor-patient reunion. 

Since April 2023, the cross-functional neurosciences group at Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills Medical Heart has expanded to take care of sufferers all through the Kaiser Permanente area in Southern California, offering cranial surgical procedure and cutting-edge interventions within the remedy of sufferers with tumors, malformations, and neurological sicknesses.