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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