Neuroscience success stories
Our patients enjoy successes large and small every day. Here are
just a few examples.
MS | Stroke | Parkinson's
Disease | Microsurgery for the spine | Epilepsy
 Eric Dahlstrom, Burlington
"There is no cure for Multiple Sclerosis. But there are breakthroughs. I'm
living proof. For years, I lived with the effects of MS. Most therapies
had little results. Then, a doctor from St. Luke's suggested an
innovative new treatment called plasma exchange therapy. The change was
like night and day. Before, I struggled even to walk. Now, I have the
energy to take 30-mile bike rides. Thanks to this discovery, I found new
hope. I hope every MS patient can, too."
 Angela Johnson; Milwaukee
"Yes, I have MS. But thanks to Dr. Khatri's experience and
insight, I also have a life."
"When I first met Angela, she couldn't walk and she hadn't been able
to see for two years. She told me that her vision began to blur when she
was 23, and that when her vision finally failed entirely, she was
diagnosed with MS. After one year of conventional treatment with no
improvement in her condition, I prescribed an immediate course of
plasmapheresis for her. Within weeks, the feeling in her legs returned and
she was able to relearn how to walk. Today, Angela's sight has also
improved. Her plasmapheresis treatment sessions are scheduled further and
further apart. While she still has MS, she is now able to lead the active
life that goes along with raising two school-aged kids."
– Dr. Khatri
 Monica Baker, Waterford
"I was young, married and had three kids. All of that was thrown out of
balance when I had a stroke. Paramedics took me to St. Luke's ER, where
doctors gave me medication that can dissolve blood clots. But it didn't
work on mine. Fortunately, my doctors had another answer. Dr. Arvind Ahuja,
a neurosurgen at St. Luke's, ran a tiny catheter through a blood vessel and applied medication directly
on the clot in my brain. And thanks to this small wonder, I have my life
back again."
 Andy Larsen, Cedarburg
"The difference Dr. Nausieda has made in helping me live with my
condition has been nothing short of miraculous."
"Andy came to me right after he was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease
fifteen years ago. He had just skied the Birkebeiner cross-country ski
marathon a short while before the tremors in his right arm began. During
our first few visits we just talked. I wanted to learn how he felt about
his condition. Andy has a positive attitude and wasn't about to let his
Parkinson's Disease slow him down.
"I determined that medication was the best course of treatment, and Andy's
symptoms are significantly minimized. He tells me he's on his way to
Costa Rica to help with rain forest preservation. That's what a positive
attitude can do."
-- Dr. Nausieda
 Steve Grassel, New Berlin
"After a car accident, I had neck pain so severe I couldn't
raise my right arm. Still, I chose to live with the pain rather than
have surgery. Then, I was referred to Dr. Arvind Ahuja, a neurosurgeon at St.
Luke's. He understood my concerns and he told me about advances in
microsurgery. I chose to have the surgery -- four disks in my spine
were fused together. After hard work in rehab, I'm pain-free and
have full range of motion. And I'll be competing in table tennis at
the 2003 Summer National Senior Games."
 Ryan Stahl
"Our son Ryan had been struggling with the symptoms of
epilepsy since the age of 4. Frequent seizures were keeping him from
enjoying a normal childhood. Dr. Inglese understood our concerns and
worked closely with us toward seizure freedom for Ryan. On January
12, 2004, Ryan received the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) implant
and has experienced a drastic reduction in seizures. The implant was
more that we ever hoped for. Ryan is finally enjoying life like a
9-year-old should. We thank Dr. Inglese, his nurse Sue and the other
medical staff of St. Luke's Medical Center from the bottoms of our
hearts for all they have done for us."
--Monica Stahl, Ryan's mother [
full story ]
 Donna
Pluskota, Greenfield
"Thanks to Dr. Morris, I am seizure-free."
– Donna Pluskota
Donna had her first epileptic seizure 25 years ago. She's taken
medication ever since ... medication that left her chronically fatigued. I
met Donna last year when she scheduled an appointment after attending a
seminar at the Regional Epilepsy Center. After extensive tests, we learned
that Donna's seizures originated in the temporal lobe of her brain, near
the area that controls language. Donna underwent "awake" surgery
and brain mapping, techniques that allowed us to isolate and remove the
seizure-causing tissue without endangering her language abilities. Now she
looks forward to having fun with her kids and a life without seizures.
Dr. George Morris
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