Patient Stories

PEAK CENTER REFERRALS

Surviving and Thriving - Stratton's Story

Stratton Muhmel was diagnosed with Glioblastoma – an aggressive brain tumor with a median survival timeline of 15 months. Refusing to give up, he came to Houston Methodist after learning about an experimental new treatment that may extend survival timelines for Glioblastoma patients. in 2020 Stratton graduated from Texas A&M Galveston.

Innovative Therapy for Glioblastoma Reduces Cancer Cells - Ed's Story

Ed McCumber’s glioblastoma was so malignant and aggressive, it recurred two times. Left with no options, he turned to neurosurgeon Dr. David Baskin, MD, for help. After removing the tumor, Baskin used a specialized form of therapy, invented at Houston Methodist, to attack the remaining cancer cells. 

PITUITARY TUMOR SURGERY BRIGHTENS PATIENT'S FUTURE

Patient Emily Schupp's pituitary tumor continued to grow, despite early treatment. She feared the tumor would affect her vision and her chances of becoming pregnant. Surgery saved Schupp’s eyesight, and she looks forward to starting a family.

MINIMALLY INVASIVE TUMOR SURGERY REMOVES GIANT MENINGIOMA THAT WAS CAUSING PARALYSIS

Kristen Daniell's migraine headaches became progressively worse. Tests revealed a tumor after Daniell experienced some paralysis. Surgeons removed the tumor using tiny tools and ultrasonography. 10 years later, Kristen shares more of her story here

GLIOBLASTOMA SURVIVOR SHARES HIS STORY OF NOVEL THERAPY TREATMENT 

Because his glioblastoma tumor was located in the speech and logic center of his brain, Matt Futer could only have a portion of the tumor removed. His original physician told him, “That’s it. Half your brain is cancer.” Soon after this prognosis, Matt found Dr. David Baskin and his team at Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center .

PITUITARY TUMOR SURGERY SPARES PATIENT'S EYESIGHT

Marcie Lester's pituitary tumor was in an area vital to brain function and vision. Neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, describes the surgery that saved Lester's vision.

PITUITARY TUMOR REMOVED USING ADVANCED NONSURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND RADIATION  

Neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, describes the treatments and therapies used to remove Belinda Amboree's pituitary tumor. The tumor pressed against her optic nerve and caused vision loss.

PATIENT SURVIVES PITUITARY TUMOR MISTAKEN AS SINUS INFECTION

Jed Duplantis thought he had a sinus infection until vision problems prompted him to see his doctor. He underwent endoscopic surgery after imaging revealed a large pituitary tumor pressing on his optic nerve.

PATIENT AWAKE, ALERT DURING CRANIOTOMY

Neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, performs an awake craniotomy on patient Nancy Green. Imaging revealed a tumor in a vital area in Green's brain that controls speech and word interpretation. Baskin uses advanced imaging and technology to map a safe surgical path, which Green verifies by reading during surgery.

TUMOR CAUSES ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON TO SUFFER HEADACHES, LOSS OF VISION

Orthopedic surgeon Wayne Johnson, MD, describes the pituitary tumor that pressed against the optic nerve, causing headaches and vision loss. Neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, uses minimally invasive technology to remove Johnson's tumor and restore his vision.

PATIENT'S TUMOR-GROWING GENETIC DISORDER MANAGED WITH EXPERTISE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

Neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, describes how he has managed patient Adnand Mirza's neurofibromatosis for decades. Mirza's condition repeatedly causes tumors to form on nerve tissue anywhere in the body, including the spine.

SCHWANNOMA TUMOR REMOVED DURING COMPLEX SURGERY

Patient Doug Wood describes how a bicycle injury revealed a tumor between the top of his spinal cord and base of his brain. Neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, expains the delicate surgery he performed to remove the tumor and preserve Wood's spinal cord.

PATIENT'S FUNCTION RESTORED FOLLOWING BRAIN TUMOR SURGERY

Patient Lisa Goff describes how a seizure led her and her mother to find neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center. Baskin performs minimally invasive surgery to remove Goff's tumor in the brain area that controls motor function.

PATIENT SURVIVES BRAIN TUMOR WITH ADVANCED SURGERY

Memory problems and a suspicious vision test led patient Judy Elliot to neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center. Elliot and Baskin discuss her treatment and recovery.

COMPLEX SURGERY REMOVES TUMOR PRESSING ON SPINAL CORD

Patient Santiago Quizanos, who suffers from Ewing's sarcoma, a rare cancer, describes how a tumor pressing on his spinal cord paralyzed him. Neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, and director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, describes how he removes the tumor and restores Quizanos' function.

MENINGIOMA TUMOR AT BASE OF SKULL REMOVED

Patient Marna Gonzalez de Garza describes why she selected neurosurgeon David Baskin, MD, to remove the benign brain tumor at the base of her skull. Baskin, director of Houston Methodist Kenneth R. Peak Brain and Pituitary Tumor Treatment Center, explains the technology used to help him perform the delicate surgery.
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