A14 • Wednesday, June 29, 2011 • The Record

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and his research has been wide- case of Carol Thorpe (see‘Carol’s ly published in North American Story’) one by one to stop the medical journals. bleeding. Endovascular treatment Approximately 150 endovascu- involves insertion of a catheter lar neurosurgical services are and guidewire into the femoral performed at RCH each year, artery in the patient’s leg and and that number continues to navigating it though the blood grow. vessels under x-ray guidance, into the patient’s neck and “If we can treat an aneurysm or head. Coils, glue material, stents stroke in a way that has them and angioplasty balloons are walking out of here the next then placed in the diseased day, then we certainly want that blood vessels via the catheter for more patients,”says Trudy and guidewire to correct the Robertson, RCH Neurosciences Ron Gale and Carol Thorpe are happy to be getting ailment. Clinical Nurse Specialist. Rob- married, thanks to the life-saving interventions per- formed by Dr. William Siu and Dr. Navraj Heran. One of the revolutionary ertson states that the average endovascular treatments that length of stay for treatment of Dr. Heran performs involves the a ruptured aneurysm patient is Carol’s Story. . . days less for a coiled procedure usage of platinum coils. He is In April 2010, Carole Thorpe, a healthy than for open-brain surgery. the only neurosurgeon trained 53-year-old woman, had a sudden stroke. to perform the coiling method “Having said that, it is a very A CT scan at her local hospital showed in the Fraser Health region. selective process by which pa- she had a massive bleed inside her head Dr. Navraj Heran is one of a small group of physicians in who uses Like miniature slinkies, platinum tients are chosen for the coiling known as a subarachnoid hemorrhage. She endovascular techniques to treat brain aneurysms and strokes. coils are folded gently into an procedure,” she says.“It depends was transferred to Royal Columbian Hospi- aneurysm or subarachnoid on their clinical situation and tal (RCH) where Dr.William Siu, Department hemorrhage (also known as a their overall health condition, Head, RCH Medical Imaging, found a large The Third Eye of hemorrhagic stroke, as in the among other factors.” brain aneurysm. Dr. Navraj Heran determined that her aneurysm would be best treated by using Dr. Navraj Heran endovascular techniques. Due to the complexity of the aneurysm, Carol had a total of six angiograms and four oyal Columbian Hospital of the patient,”says Dr. Heran. coiling/stenting sessions between April R neurosurgeon and re- “With a biplane unit, we would and September 2010 at RCH to fully treat searcher Dr. Navraj Heran be able to see from different the aneurysm. She slowly recovered from wants to open his third eye.The angles, as it would provide the coma, temporary blindness and speech highly trained endovascular us with multiple views of the and mobility problems.“Her recovery is neurosurgeon believes that a patient’s blood vessels, enabling close to being a miracle,”says Dr. Siu. new Multipurpose Interven- us to perform complex proce- tional Suite with state-of-the-art dures with higher precision, Ron Gale, Carol’s lifelong partner, kept biplane x-ray technology will speed and safety.” vigil at her bedside during the fi ve month provide RCH neurointervention- period she spent at RCH.“The staff was ab- Dr. Heran is one of a small group solutely fantastic and Carol received great alists with a radical new view of physicians in British Columbia inside patients. care.We got engaged at Royal Columbian who uses endovascular tech- Hospital after a thirty-year relationship. I “Right now, our single plane niques to treat brain aneurysms, was totally amazed at what they were able angiography machine gives strokes, carotid stenosis and Minimally invasive procedures, such as aneurysm coiling, rely on advanced diagnos- to do with Carol at RCH.They saved her life.” us only one view of the inside brain vascular malformations, tic imaging equipment to guide instruments through the patient’s blood vessels.

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n insightful and compel- • Honour the healing power of We acknowledge these individuals, corporate and ling narrative is told by Dr. sleep. community organizations (and those who prefer A to remain anonymous) for their generous dona- Jill Bolte Taylor, a Harvard- • Speak to me directly, not about trained brain scientist who, at age tions, received between January and May 2011, me to others. towards the Multipurpose Interventional Suite 37, experienced a massive brain • Love me for who I am today. campaign. hemorrhage that irrevocably Don’t hold me to being the per- impacted her logical, sequential We sincerely apologize for any errors or son I was before. I have a differ- omissions Dr. Kennely Ho left brain. It took her seven years ent brain now. to recover and to become her INDIVIDUALS DISTINGUISHED Warning signs of “My Stroke of Insight” is avail- “new” self. Visionary CORPORATE & a possible stroke Bolte Taylor’s journey describes able in paperback at most book- ($1,000,000+) COMMUNITY how, in the process of healing, stores and on Amazon.com Anonymous Donor ORGANIZATIONS Catalyst ($5,000+) RCH Neurologist Dr. Kennely Ho is a she discovers the wonders of be- Ambassador physician champion for Fraser Health’s ing human. Most profound and ($10,000+) Cartwright Jewelers Ltd. Stroke Strategy. He advises to call 911 moving is her Appendix B“Forty Tim & Karen immediately if you think you may be Delesalle Fraser River Pile & Things I Needed Most”, where she Dredge (GP) Inc. having a stroke.“Even if a warning lists simple, thoughtful comments Catalyst ($5,000 sign was definitely there and then Futura Corporation that offer practical advice to - $9,999) went away again after a few minutes, Lohn Foundation caregivers who are assisting the Dr. Robert and McQuarrie Hunter call 911 immediately,” urges Dr. Ho.“It Elaine Hayden healing process of a brain-injured RBC Royal Bank may still be a strong indicator that a Erica Ritchie major stroke may soon occur.” person, such as: Starlight Casino • I am not stupid, I am wounded. Champion The five warning signs ($2,500 - $4,999) Please respect me. Ambassador WEAKNESS Warren Barker ($10,000+) Sudden weakness, numbness, or • Approach me with an open heart Arlene Mott Baxter Corporation paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, and slow down your energy.Take Katie Wall especially on one side of your body. your time. Fire Supporter Fighters Charitable VISION PROBLEMS Review written by Julie Coghlan ($1,500 - $2,499) Society Blurred or decreased vision in one or Mainland Sand & Norman & Marion Gravel Ltd. both eyes or double vision that does Fletcher not clear with blinking. Bob and Elizabeth-Anne McLean Budden “The Multipurpose Interventional Suite is Armstrong Mott Electric GP TROUBLE SPEAKING something that is desperately needed and will Dorothy Graham Winvan Paving Ltd. Sudden difficulty speaking, slurring or understanding simple statements. elevate the ability of RCH to deliver treatment Articles by Shannon Henderson and Julie Coghlan HEADACHE of heart disease and stroke.” Photography by Jerald Walliser Sudden, unexplainable, and intense headache that is different from any ~ Dr.William Siu, Director of Medical Imaging, RCH headache you have had before. DIZZINESS Severe dizziness, loss of balance, RCH Foundation needs your help or loss of coordination, especially if another warning sign is present at the The Multipurpose Interventional Suite will make all Help RCH Foundation raise $2.8 million to provide same time. the difference for 1,400 more cardiac and stroke pa- greater care for cardiac and stroke patients. Please tients annually to get the diagnoses and treatment call 604.520.4438 or visit rchfoundation.com to they need more quickly and closer to home. make your donation today.

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