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Michael Callahan was a year old when he began having problems holding his head up, usually first thing in the morning. After a couple of hours, his head would raise back up and everything seemed OK.
This concerned his parents, David and Diane Callahan of Kalona, Iowa. Still, no one could explain Michael’s problem and, in any event, it seemed temporary.
Then one day, at age 18 months, Michael could not raise his head at all.
“Our doctor thought he had an ear infection and wanted to see if medication improved things over the weekend,” Diane says. “By Monday, he couldn’t walk. He was stumbling around. We really had to watch him to make sure he didn’t hurt himself.”
An MRI at Mercy Medical Center in Iowa City produced dreadful news: Michael had an astrocytoma, a cancerous tumor on his brain stem.
The tumor—within the upper spinal cord and brain stem—was intertwined with his spine and big enough to block spinal fluid between his neck and his brain, causing his head to drop.
Michael was transferred immediately to University of Iowa Children’s Hospital and the care of a multidisciplinary team of specialists who focus on treating children with brain tumors. The team included Arnold Menezes, MD, a world-renown neurosurgeon who specializes in repairing problems around the juncture of the skull and the spine. The team also included pediatric oncologists and radiation oncologists.
Working together, the UI team evaluated Michael’s condition and carefully laid plans for a delicate surgical procedure to remove as much of the tumor as possible.
Michael’s parents were shocked and scared. “It was a very high-risk situation,” Diane says. “They weren’t even sure Michael would survive the surgery.”
The couple was overjoyed when Michael emerged from the nine-hour procedure with nearly all the tumor successfully removed. After spending almost a month in the hospital, he returned home to recuperate under close observation.
Hopes ran high that Michael’s cancer was beaten.
It wasn’t. Six months later, Michael began having trouble swallowing. An MRI shocked the Callahans again: the tumor was starting to grow back.
Diane recalls the painful disappointment. “I guess we didn’t think we’d have to go through another surgery,” she says. “Your biggest fear is paralysis because the brain stem is such a critical area.”
Micheal’s second procedure was performed by UI neurosurgeon Vincent Traynelis, MD, along with Menezes. They removed all but the tiniest bit of the remaining tumor. To eradicate the rest, Michael was scheduled for chemotherapy. He was cared for by Sue O’Dorisio, MD, and the pediatric oncology team.
The last chemotherapy session was completed in January 2004. MRI examinations performed since then have shown no further evidence of tumor.
Michael is doing well, according to his parents. His neck mobility has been somewhat affected but he can do almost everything he wants to do, including T-Ball.
The Callahans couldn’t be more pleased.
“Oh yeah, oh yeah,” Diane says. “Everyone who was part of his care team was great.” She adds that Dr. Menezes is the only one who can call Michael ‘Mikie’ and get away with it. “No one else is allowed to do that!” she says.
All appointments with the UI Department of Neurosurgery require a physician referral. For more information, patients and family members may call UI Children’s Hospital toll-free, 888-573-5437, and ask for pediatric neurosurgery or pediatric oncology.
For consultation or referral, physicians should contact UI Consult at 319-384-8008 or 800-322-8442.
—Michael Sondergard |
