Why I am glad I studied cogntiive neuroscience

Given Visual processing has been a long term interest of mine,this experience has been academically fascinating. I did have some very interesting discussions about visual pathways with my neurosurgery team. I wish I was on the other side of the scalpel. one regeret was that they didn't turn on d with the record function associated with the surgical microcope. I've been having a bit of trouble navigating the pre and postoperation scans

Thanksgiving

I had a bit of a minor hiccup today. I seem to be experiencing some focal simple seizures that result in odd sensory feelings in my left leg and arm.Spent a good part of the morning making sure it wasn't hemorrhaging. CT scan showed just some residual blood from the operation. The increased the anti seizure medication and that should fix the problem. In anothercase of one degreee of separation .The ER Dr is best friends with one of our SUNY Oswego friends


I certainly am feeling very thankfulthis year.

some images

I wish I had access to the same images as the surgeon. I can't even find the comparable pre and postscans

This one Is a bit clearer

some images

11/21/ update

I wanted to thank everyone for your support and encouragement
I got home late yesterday afternoon. Being home is probably the best treatment I could get anywhere.

The pre discharge assessment indicated there was some recovery in the slight visual neglect I was having in the lower left quadrant Dr believes that is a function of the surgery, removing the
tumor inflamed the visual pathways front he lateral geniculate nucleus the right thalamus that passes through the right temporal cortex to the the right visual cortex.. I talked to him about more detailed testing but his thought was that once the swelling from the surgery goes down, the impairment will improve. and that will be the best diagnostic tool. next week I meet with the radiological oncology group from Upstate hospital. I also have a contact at Memorial Sloan Kettering NYC for a second opinion of the therapy protocol. I'm having trouble accessing the post surgery scan but will get it posted later

Teaching cognitive neuroscience certainly made this a much easier experience. I had very great conversations with the surgeon about visual pathways. It was interesting that the nurses came to me with questions.

To all of you, have a great thanksgiving. I hope to be back in the dept sometime before the end of the semester.

I certainly would enjoy visitors. Just check with Rhonda. 652 0057 or 391 4387

Update

Gary was moved out of the ICU to the neuroscience step down room. The nurses told him that this is the last stop before he can leave the hospital. He was told by the neurosurgeon that he will be out of the hospital and able to come home on Tuesday. Despite experiencing some pain around the surgical site he is feeling almost back to normal. He was told that he will be starting radiation therapy two weeks after he is released from the hospital and that it will last four to six weeks. The nurses and doctors are all in awe by how quick he has recovered from the operation. They said most people who have this kind of operation are out of the hospital between 5-12 days and Gary will most likely be home in 4.

Post Surgery

The surgery was very successful. The surgeon was able to remove all the tumor and he is doing well recovering. There were no damages as a result of the surgery. He is experiencing a slight visual impairment, but it should disappear when the swelling reduces. He is in very good humor and keeps the nursing staff laughing all day. We hope he will be out of the ICU by either tomorrow or Monday, and he should be home for Thanksgiving!

Gary's condition

As most of you know, on Oct 23rd, Gary had a seizure and was hospitalized. Although none of the tests at the hospital indicated anything serious The MRI taken on 11/13 did show a mass in the
right temporal lobe

This mass appears to be a glioma. The doctors thought it best to have this foriegn body removed as soon as possible. Surgery is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

what's happened

On October 23rd I had a partial complex seizure. Partial because it was localized. Complex because it affectec my consciousness.

The subsequent EEG indicated some abnormal brain activity but nothing that indicated continuous seizures

Tuesday November 13 I went for an MRI. My doctors wanted me to have the mri done at SUNY Upstate hospital because it is the only place in Syracuse that has the higher resolution MRI

They immediately called my doctor saying the MRI revealed a mass. My doctor called the best neurosurgeon in Syracuse (he said one of the top 10 in the country). They made an appointment for me today.

The bottom line is that the mass is a tumor. At this point all he knows is that it is a glioma

I am scheduled for surgery Friday afternoon. We will try to use ths blog to post updaates