Patient Stories

Every year our physicians and staff care for patients with complex diseases of the central nervous system. We're proud to share some of their stories with you.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Aneurysm
Brain Tumor
Movement Disorders
Neurovascular Surgery
Stroke

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

ALS Patient Advocates for the Lives of Future Patients
Tom Milianti was diagnosed with ALS in 2004. Milianti and his family advocate for ALS research in Illinois and Washington, D.C., in hopes of finding a cure for the neurodegenerative disease.

Aneurysm

Managing Complexity: Multiple Cerebral Aneurysms Treated in a Single Operation
Carol Kruse was back to her regular daily activities only days after having surgery on five aneurysms. “Dr. Awad and his team really made us feel confident that the surgery was going to go well,” her daughter, Katherine Nigro, said.

To the Edge and Back: Defying a Deadly Condition
At 43, Eileen Wilhelm developed two cerebral aneurysms, and one of them ruptured, nearly killing her. Fast action and the expertise of the University of Chicago Medicine surgical team saved her life.

Brain Tumor

Woman Doesn't Let Brain Tumor Surgery Slow Her Down
When an MRI revealed a meningioma at the base of Ann Barth's skull, she sought help from experts at the University of Chicago Brain Tumor Center. Five weeks after the tumor was completely removed, Ann returned to her job and her life with renewed energy.

30-Year Treatment an Inspiring Show of Faith
Iona Williams marked her 30th year as a patient at the University of Chicago Medicine in 2011. Doctors were unable to identify the cause of her headaches -- until she arrived here in 1982. Under the surgical care of our experts, Iona no longer experiences the severe pain once caused by a benign tumor at the base of her brain. She attributes her longevity to her faith and her surgeons.

Awake Craniotomy: Confronting Brain Surgery with Open Eyes
Initially, Anna Litchfield wasn't sure she could handle an awake craniotomy -- a complex procedures typically used to remove tumors nestled close to functional areas of the brain. Because the patient is awake during the procedure, a neurologist can continuously monitor language, motor and sensory function to make sure critical parts of the brain suffer minimal damage. However, Anna overcame her fear, and decided to have the procedure. As a result, the surgical team believes she avoided critical damage that she may have experienced during a traditional procedure.

Complex Surgery to Remove Tumor Restores Vision
Diane Maciorowski was shocked when an MRI scan revealed a tangerine-sized tumor at the base of her brain. Located in a nearly inaccessible region abutting crucial nerves and blood vessels, the skilled and experienced team lead by Dr. Awad removed the growth with minimal side effects.

Movement Disorders

New Target Provides Better Tremor Control
Betty Bertram had the same surgery twice in one decade. While both were successful, the outcomes are proof of how far medicine can progress in a short time. In January, the 65-year-old Manteno resident underwent a unilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS)--an electrode implanted in the brain--at the University of Chicago to control the essential tremor afflicting the left side of her body. Eight years prior, she’d had a DBS procedure to control the tremor on the right side of her body.

Neurovascular Surgery

Brain Surgery Eliminates Cause of Seizures
Steven Steinhilber, 23, opened a can of soda and as the first notes of carbonation fizzed into the air, he turned to his wife, Genay, and said, "I don't feel well," right before passing out.

Stroke

Experimental Procedure Saves a Man's Life
Joseph Pagone, 53, collapsed in his shower with a loud thud. The impact startled his wife, Jan, who ran to the bathroom to find him struggling to get up. His dominant right side was useless.

A Race Against Time: Surviving Stroke at Age 19 (VIDEO)
Pamela Hsieh was just 19 when a stroke paralyzed her left side. After treatment at the University of Chicago medical campus, Hsieh has regained enough movement to hike mountains in the West.

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