Stephen broke down crying when he first learned that a brain tumor was the reason he had been experiencing occasional vertigo and a serious loss of hearing in his left ear. It didn’t seem fair because, at 61, he was enjoying the new life that he and his wife of 11 years, Derrilyn, had created as retirees on the Big Island of Hawaii.
“I went for a walk in our back pasture to look at my goats and sheep and the chickens, and I was walking back there, just slobbering and crying, and I asked, “Why God? Why does have to happen to me?’ I had moved here just six years ago and I was getting settled into my life and starting to really like it.
“Then I don’t really know what happened, but I had this peace come over me and I just got to thinking, what kind of legacy do I want to leave behind? If the worse is to happen, do I want to go out kicking and screaming and acting the fool? Or do I want to go out with boldness and confidence and leave my friends and family with no worries? My attitude completely changed at that point. I decided to be upbeat and calm.”
He also decided to do his homework, and learned that one of the best neurosurgeons to treat his condition – acoustic neuroma, or vestibular schwannoma – is Jennifer Moliterno, MD, FAANS, Associate Professor of Medicine at Yale School of Medicine, Clinical Director for the Chenevert Family Brain Tumor Center and Chief of Neurosurgical Oncology in the Department of Neurosurgery.
Stephen was fortunate to have the opportunity to travel nearly 5,000 miles to undergo surgery at Yale with Dr. Moliterno. His surgery was on January 25. After recovery and clearance by Dr. Moliterno to make the long flight home, he returned to Hawaii on February 12 and is back to his usual activities. While Stephen’s positive attitude helps, his diligence and choice of Yale matters even more because it led him to the expertise of Dr. Moliterno.
Dr. Moliterno routinely performs more acoustic neuroma surgeries – and more brain tumor surgeries, in general – than any other physician in Connecticut each year. Due to her high volume, experience and efficiency, patients like Stephen travel to her from afar. Stephen’s surgery could easily take another surgeon all day with a high risk of facial paralysis. It took Dr. Moliterno only a few hours and less time on the operating table, which meant a faster recovery for Stephen. And in the end, she saved his life while preserving his neurological function.
“Though benign, Stephen’s tumor was going to kill him for sure given its size in its particular location,” she said. “Acoustic neuromas are intimately associated with the facial nerve, and other critical nerves, arteries and the brainstem, and so these surgeries can be quite dangerous with high risks including facial paralysis . Thankfully, I was able to remove the majority of his tumor while preserving his neurological function, which is always the goal of these complex skull base microsurgeries.”
Dr. Moliterno also credits Stephen’s positive attitude with his successful outcome. One way Stephen’s positivity came through was in making sure he had his photo taken with equipment and staff routinely throughout his stay. “I’d give the Hawaii shaka (hand sign) and a big smile and send it out to my friends and family in Hawaii. It really seemed to help a lot,” he said.
While he knew Dr. Moliterno was one of the best to treat his condition – “she has skilled hands and a gifted mind” – he did not know that everyone else he would encounter at Yale would be equally as exceptional.
“The nurses and the staff at Yale are amazing. Whenever I went in there, each time I would meet someone new, I would tell them, ‘You don’t realize it yet, but I’m your favorite patient.’ Usually their response was, ‘Because of that, you already are.’ But they were all very personable. They were professional and approachable. I found I could share my life experiences with them,” he said. “Anytime I would ask anyone a question, they would stick with me all the way until I was completely satisfied with the answer.”
Stephen, a father and grandfather, realizes now that he first started experiencing symptoms of his brain tumor 12 years ago. But it wasn’t until the hearing in his left ear got extremely bad that he sought help at an ENT doctor. An audiologist said he was a good candidate for a cochlear implant but the ENT doctor suggested an MRI just to ensure there was nothing wrong with his brain. That’s when they discovered the tumor.
Stephen’s surgery is a highly specialized procedure and one that could not be done in Hawaii. He’s grateful he was able to travel to Yale and for the care he received. Dr. Moliterno said the small residual of tumor that remains can be monitored and, if needed, treated with radiosurgery. And she, too, is grateful.
“It is the absolute most rewarding feeling to help people like Stephen in the way I can,” she said.
Meanwhile, as can be expected, Stephen is looking toward the future with unbridled optimism.
“I think I am going to have a good long life ahead of me. I’m going to get to see my kids and grandkids and great-grand kids. I think it’s going to be awesome.”