Astrocytoma (July 28, 2006)

Do you know what astrocytoma is?

Here's a link for the information.

I was in Malang on Wednesday and Thursday. On Thursday, there was a male patient, still young, around 35 y.o. had that tumor. It was malignant, he's lost his concious, based on his Glasgow Coma Scale which was very low.

After surgery he will need chemotherapy, radiation, etc, so the tumor won't grow again. That's the theory, in reality, after surgery was done, most patient if they feel better, they won't come to see their doctor for checkups.

Anyway.........the neurosurgeons were able to remove the tumor, inspite of limited supporting equipments they have.

For you out there:

- Take care of the food you eat. Avoid junkfood and fastfood, fatty food, etc. Love your body.

- Even people at young age can get tumor! Based on my three last brain tumor surgeries, patients are considered young.

- Male and female patients are balance, although my neurosurgeon told me that women has bigger chance to get tumor! It's the hormones, they said.

Brain tumor surgeries (July 20, 2006)

Been in Bandung last Sunday night and went back to Jakarta last night.

Well, there was earthquake in Jakarta. Thank God, it was a mild one.

I accompanied neurosurgeons for two tumor removal surgeries.

One, on Tueday, was at RS St.B, meningioma, 12 hours of surgery! The longest time I have ever been! The tumor was hard and big, very big. I was very tired, standing, waiting, sitting, feeling hungry, in the cold O.T.

At the same time in Jakarta, Susan accompanied Dr.JS using our 3rd handpiece. He finally used it despite of confusing hospital's arrangement.

Hmm, as long as the patient was helped and neurosurgeons were happy and they plan to purchase my machine, I can put up with it :)

Second was on Wednesday, at RSHS, glioma, in the eye. Patient's right eye was removed. It took 5 hours of surgery.

I took a pic of the eye ball, hehehe. I will downloaded it here later.

(human eye ball)

Wish I took pictures of their MRI, so I can show you how big their tumors were.

I just felt really tired, because I skipped lunch on tuesday and had late lunch on Monday and Wednesday (at 3.30 pm). Also, I had to bring big heavy cases of the equipments.
I'm glad the neuro residents helped me carry them.

And before went home, it's alway a must to buy cakes and breads, LOL.

Dropped by at Kartikasari and Amanda Brownies. Also, bought 1 pair of shoes and 2 pairs of high heels.

Tumor removal surgery

This is my experience (dated July 4, 2005)

I got back from my assignment from Sumatera, it was almost a week of business trip. Did a demo for tumor removal machine with a neurosurgeon there.

We had 2 patients, but most touching operation was when neurosurgeon operated a 10 years old girl.

She lost one of her sight due to her condition before the surgery. After doctor plant a shunt, she can talk normally. The tumor removal was successfull. But I can't imagine what kind of pain she will feel after the surgery. My migrain won't compare to it.

Do you know that neurosurgeon must shave her head, made incision to her scalp, peeled off her scalp, drilled the skull, took off part of the scalp, opened dura layer, opened the brain, cut and removed the tumor, after he finished removing tumor, then he closed it, he sewn the blood vessel and other open location, attached the skull using wires, after that the scalp was sewn, and the nurse put a catheter to drain the blood.

Drilling the skull

Removing the tumor using ultrasonic aspirator