Patient Profiles
Meet Pediatric Neurosurgery Patients
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Spencer Morse While racing his motocross bike, 15-year-old Spencer Morse lost control on a jump. He was airlifted to Packard Children's Hospital where our neurosurgery and trauma teams treated his severe brain injury. Today, Spencer's life is back to normal. He is back in school and has returned to many of his favorite activities. |
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Isabelle Wagner In 2006, Isabelle underwent a lifesaving surgery to remove a brain tumor. She was also one of the first children to undergo a new treatment designed to treat her cancer while sparing her brain function. Today, she is an energetic first grader. |
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Shandi Wagner Shandi Wagner's doctors in Minnesota referred her to pediatric neurosurgeon Michael Edwards, MD, to remove her spinal cord tumor. One year later, at age 22, Shandi became a double-major graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN, Class of 2009.  View a video and watch Shandi, her mom Carol and Dr. Edwards discuss the surgery and recovery. |
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Grace Johnson Grace Johnson came to Packard Children’s Hospital with weakness on the right side of her body and pain in her back. Our physicians found a tumor pressing on nervous tissue that controlled Grace’s body movements. After a successful seven hour surgery to remove the tumor, Grace has resumed horseback riding and her active lifestyle. |
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Paola Mendez Paola Mendez, age 8, has a family history of epileptic seizures. She tried a number of anti-seizure drugs to control the seizures that, left untreated, could cause irreversible brain damage. Paola came to Packard Children's Hospital to have brain surgery in January 2005 to alleviate her epileptic seizures. The San Francisco Chronicle covered Paola's story before and after her surgery. |
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William Tjeerdsma A brain tumor hasn't slowed down 10-year-old William. He's training for the Nike Half Marathon and setting an aggressive pace to help others. |
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Trina Branaugh Trina was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 12 and underwent chemotherapy, radiation, surgery and physical therapy. |