NEUROSURGERY
DR. RICHARD REID, NEUROSURGEON & Department Head of Neurosciences with Island Health, remembers very clearly the day he met Pam — a woman who despite being fit and healthy had a large tumour growing adjacent to her spinal cord. This kind of tumour was rare and if left untreated would jeopardize her ability to walk or lead a normal life. A decade ago, many complex neurosurgical procedures like Pam’s would have been sent to Vancouver for surgery. The spine is a delicate area to operate on and a tumour in close proximity to the spinal cord and many delicate spinal nerves makes the surgery even riskier. But today, because of innovations in equipment and technology, Dr. Reid was able to care for Pam right here in Victoria. “Naturally the surgery was nerve-racking,” reflects Pam. “I am a stoic person and have overcome many obstacles in my life but nothing terrified me quite as much as the operation. When I got into that operating room, I remember how confident and calm Dr. Richard Reid’s team was, and that made a world of difference. As I went under anaesthesia, I recognized just how lucky I was to have access to an excellent surgical team right here at home on Vancouver Island. I will never forget the words I heard Dr. Reid speak when I woke up. ‘It’s all gone. I don’t think it will ever come back.’ Relief and hope flooded through me, and I vowed to make the very best out of every new day.” Four weeks into her recovery, Pam was back to swimming three times a week, and before the one-year follow up, she was riding on a three-day, 200 km cycle tour. The tumour was gone and life was getting back to normal. This campaign is funding a neurosurgery monitor, a highresolution monitor that Dr. Reid used to manipulate images and trajectories during Pam’s procedure and helped Pam maintain full control of her legs, bowel and bladder. Neurosurgery Equipment: $106,500 victoriahf.ca/neurosurgery