Brain Surgeons: Between Life and Death.

[cat3]

Just wondering if anyone else watched the documentary 'Brain Surgeons: Between Life and Death' on Monday (Channel 4 @ 9pm) documenting the case of a 12 year old boy undergoing a complex and risky procedure to remove a rare tumour from deep within his mid-brain region.

Owing to close proximity of the pineal gland and complicated navigation to the site, it was tense viewing .............but fascinating watching the surgeons' delicate skill as they progressed millimeter by millimeter towards the target area. For them, entering the mid brain region was new territory with uncharted obstacles but, after two days of dedication, a boy's life was saved.

Certainly not for the faint-hearted but, for me, it was an hour of trepidation and hope, after meeting the young Matthew and his parents beforehand, and the tears of relief and joy seeing him in recovery and embracing a 2nd chance at life & back riding his bicycle.

I used to automatically avoid this type of viewing but since my Bi I'm drawn to the methodology, precision and dedication involved in surgery.......... so I (kind of) see past the scalpels & blood !

Anyone else ? 😏

Cat x

[tillymint16]

Hi Cat

Hope your keeping well👍🏻🙏I haven’t seen it yet but going to watch on catch up ASAP. After my surgery I too am astonished at the skill and dedication of our brilliant surgeons but also the care and sheer compassion from the tireless neuro nurses to auxiliary staff, to the tea trolly ladies😌 but indeed all the people who make our stays in hospital as good as it can be in such terrifying situations sometimes..

Andrea x

[cat3 in reply to tillymint16]

Couldn't agree more Andrea. I feel I was blessed in being transferred to a hospital outside my usual area (found later it's considered a 'Centre of excellence')

The care from everyone was (as you said) superb, from the approachable, kind and funny neurosurgeon to the amazing ICU and ward staff and the lovely, cheerful fellow who brought meals (and made my tea just the way I like it !).

.....not forgetting kitchen staff who produced hotel standard food ; didn't take me long after finding my feet to locate the kitchen for 'seconds' of their delicious apple crumble with steaming hot custard ! 😋

Hope you get the same kick out of the documentary as I did m'love ! Stay well/keep safe, Cat x

[BaronC]

Damn it! Missed it!

[m4tthall in reply to BaronC]

Me too but looks like it is on catch-up

channel4.com/programmes/bra...

[cat3 in reply to m4tthall]

Absolutely you'll get it 4od ..... x

[DTBI]

Hi Cat,

I watched it and thought it was fantastic. I was a bit disappointed they didn’t show us them cutting the hole in his skull they needed to get the tumour out of, not crucial but related to mine. Other than that the skill of the surgeons was amazing👍🏻

[cat3 in reply to DTBI]

I don't know why that aspect of surgery wasn't shown ; maybe a case of editing down for TV scheduling ? Or perhaps that'll feature in another case in the series.

Hope you're doing ok GD.... Cat x

[Wolfie04]

It is very interesting and these neuro teams are extremely clever. Their whole persona! Yep I been that chicky on the table a couple of times and really appreciated this program. I’d probably not have looked at such a subject before my own “thing”. Extremely, magnificently team. Intriguing thing the brain! Fantastic that this young lad made such a recovery. Youth on his side and very much advances in technology and chances for survival. 🦋

[cat3 in reply to Wolfie04]

It fascinates me knowing that whilst we've been in oblivion these clever teams were busying around us working their expertise......then we'd wake and it would be all about us. But seeing what they do (like you, I've wanted to know more since my Bi) I can't praise them enough.

I couldn't work out whether young Matthew was secretly repressing fear or whether he was as cool and philosophical as he appeared. Great kid ; great story. x

[Kirk5w7]

Oh yes Cat,

You know me, I’m a sucker for all these programmes. Ambulance, 24 hours in A&E and a new critical care one just last night. 4 hours in total this week and there are some i need to catch up on from previous weeks.😀

Hope you are doing ok, i’ll pm you in the next day or two and bring you up to speed.

Take care

Janet xxxxx

[cat3 in reply to Kirk5w7]

Yes Janet I'm the same.....something about folk devoted to saving lives, whether it's paramedics, surgeons, lifeboat crew and others of that ilk ; it's what this life's about for me !

Look forward to a catch up m'love..... see you shortly. E. xxx

[AnnofAscot in reply to Kirk5w7]

not had a BI as such but a very unpleasant “episode” around an AVM. Like you I’m addicted and now watch virtually every medical programme. Find them all riveting especially if it comes close to my experience . I particularly find ambulance crews so dedicated and kind. I watch these programmes more than any other- morbid curiosity?

[cat3 in reply to AnnofAscot]

I don't believe it's morbid curiosity Ann ; more about the reassurance of seeing paramedics whisking folk off with such care and good humour to a surgical team with the skill & technology, to save endangered lives.

After watching a documentary showing my exact procedure to coil a burst aneurism I was hooked, so I began watching other surgical procedures online to make sense of what others here on Headway had experienced.

The series really personalised both patients and surgeons before, during and after surgery which was shown in full and explained throughout. Amazing stuff....😏 Xx

[APAscot in reply to cat3]

you’re always so caring, informative and knowledgeable cat. I love reading your comments x

[cat3 in reply to APAscot]

Wow 🥴 ....thank you ! Take care m'love Xx

[magdolna]

Absolutely. I have an interest in the pesky organ that's the brain. The wee boy was a delight. And surgeon was pretty cool too. I have never met man who had a rummage in my brain but do deal with his colleague Ms Sheila Ross and Dr Macadam. All wonderful.

[cat3 in reply to magdolna]

I quite liked the way the surgeons were allowed to show their human sides and to verbalise concerns and frustrations rather than it being a purely clinical and scripted programme.

I was really lucky in meeting mine at at my first evaluation and he was the most warm, funny and engaging man. He took such delight in showing me 'Before & After' scans and it was that encounter which inspired me to learn more.

'Pesky organ'......😑 x

[sammm2k]

I haven’t seen this but definitely watching on catch up. Like you Cat, I would have avoided this kind of viewing but since my BI I’m intrigued by how procedures are performed & have watched with amazement how my aneurysm was coiled, my shunt fitted & burr holes made to treat subdural haematoma (something like that) lol. My kids think I’m morbid but I have no memory of anything & need to know x

[cat3 in reply to sammm2k]

Ha ha ; my family were a little 'weirded out' at my fascination too after I Googled coiling and watched the procedure on Youtube. I agree it's natural to want to know, especially as we were 'absent' at that time !

And, if I'm not familiar with a procedure someone here on Headway has gone through, I'll often watch it to gain some insight into their condition.

Hope all's well as can be for you Sammm....

Cat x

[sammm2k in reply to cat3]

I’m good thanks Cat, adjusting once again, now my daughter has gone off to uni, although I speak with her most days & she is settling into her new life away from home.

Hope all good with you cat,

Sam x

[cat3 in reply to sammm2k]

That's quite a milestone for you both but an exciting one for your daughter and a proud one for you, especially in light of her vocation. So just you and your younger daughter at home now ?

Stay safe and well Sam....... x

[tillymint16]

Just watched this tremendous programme!! It brought back a lot of memories though my treatment was a straightforward coiling the ( putting yourself in their hands!) was just the same and the trepidation that comes along with it.

I have a real phobia with blood and couldn’t watch parts of it but it was nerve racking hoping they get the tumour removed without causing permanent damage.

What a brave little lad he was infact the whole family were stoic!

Again our fantastic surgeons are quite amazing and this surgeon manner was so gentle too but realistic which we want to hear ...

With further treatment on the cards at some point I have to remind myself that we’re safe putting ourselves into their hands... they want a good outcome too! And to try and not be consumed with the terror and fear that takes over...

the main feeling I had in the great Walton Neuro Hospital in Liverpool was that I was truly in safe hands and confident they could deal with my procedure and care afterwards..

They did not disappoint👍🏻

Andrea

[cat3 in reply to tillymint16]

Yes Andrea, I have to admit to averting my eyes when the large blood vessel, blocking access, needed cauterizing.

But the whole episode was perfectly presented and the result was riveting, due mainly to a personal touch where we felt instant empathy for the child and his family, and the surgeons were allowed to talk freely rather than following a stiff script.

Walton hospital is a centre of excellence as is Salford Royal where I was treated ; we were both very fortunate in receiving 5 star treatment !

Best wishes for ongoing treatment m'love. You know you'll be in the best of hands...... Cat x 😉

[tillymint16 in reply to cat3]

Thanks Cat

It’s fingers crossed that it won’t come about but I know mentally I’m in a different place now and things are in the right perspective... we truly are very lucky 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Stay well xxx

[cat3 in reply to tillymint16]

You too m'love.... 🤞 x

[cat3]

Oh my, what a coincidence ! They were certainly engaging and showed very human characteristics. I think that surgeons are a rare breed to put themselves through years of study and internships, showing they're passionate about their vocation. I've nothing but admiration for all NHS staff.

My grandson was admitted today with suspected appendicitis and from the original emergency doctor through to the amazing paramedics and paediatric staff the whole team were faultless. .......false alarm thankfully !

Sending my best wishes Ric as always, to you and your lady.

Cat x