NF Smarty Pants

Archive for the ‘Medical Procedures’ Category

Kyle Dobbins is legally blind due to his NF. Scientists in China are using a procedure involving stem cells to restore sight. Read more details from KGET.

We first heard about Tonderai Mandigumura in March when St. Joseph’s Hospital in Minnesota offered to removed the large facial tumor on the Zimbabwe man. Now, the main operations have been completed. Over the next few months, he will undergo additional procedures and medical care with the eventual goal of returning home to a more fulfilling life.

Jamie Farrow recently had a NF 1 related brain tumor removed. To get to it, doctors only had to remove a piece of skull about two inches in diameter. These less invasive surgeries lessen the post-operation scarring and recovery times. Read more about this story at the Star News website.

The following links will lead you to the various sections. There are even more break out features, but those should be easily accessible from The LA Times website.

• About the Series
• Part One
• Part Two
• The doctors respond to readers’ questions.

The Kansas newspaper The Morning Sun has a story about Cheyenne Batchelder. This six year old had extremely thin bones in her right leg as a result of NF. Eventually, the leg had to be amputated.

She now is in the process of learning to master her new prosthesis.

After an 11-hour surgery to remove a life-threatening brain tumor, Aaron Brown is going home. The Southern Daily Echo has an update on his progress.

KOMO has an interview with James O’Neal after his dangerous but successful surgery to remove a massive facial tumor. There are before and after photos. Click the “Watch the Story” link below Michelle Estaban’s name to watch the more complete video report. ABC News also has a video story up, but it is filled with inaccuracies.

Jessica Stone tested her brand new cochlear implant earlier this month. For the first time in many months, she’s able to hear sounds again. Read and watch WKYC’s report at their website. For the complete Jessica Stone history, simply enter her name in the search field at the top of this page.

James O’Neal’s story first appeared at this site on June 2nd. On November 6, he finally underwent his life changing surgery.

Seattle’s KOMO News has coverage of his procedure. Please be warned, if you watch the video new story, there are graphic images since the cameras were inside the operating room.

Other NF Smarty Pants posts include:

• James O’Neal Update
• Safeway Continues to Support James O’Neal
• James O’Neal Story Goes National

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center announced that according to their research results, cranial radiation may not be necessary for young children with low-grade glioma.

Low-grade glioma is the most common form of brain tumor in children. In cases where surgery is not beneficial, these scientists say that chemotherapy is just as effective a treatment as cranial radiation.

According to Dr. Joann Ater, “If we can delay radiation, then we allow more time for our youngest patients to develop physically, which could decrease some of the long-term effects from treatment.”