#colloid cyst

Davina McCall having surgery for rare brain tumour.

Anterior trans-frontal endoscopic resection of third-ventricle colloid cyst

Acta Neurochir (2017) 159:1049–1052

The endoscopic technique has been recognised as a viable and safe alternative to microsurgery for the treatment of third-ventricle colloid cyst. However, the standard precoronal endoscopic approach does not always provide an adequate visualisation of the attachment of the cyst to the velum interpositum. Using a more anterior approach, it is easier to reach the…

Anterior trans-frontal endoscopic resection of third-ventricle colloid cyst

Acta Neurochir (2017) 159:1049–1052

The endoscopic technique has been recognised as a viable and safe alternative to microsurgery for the treatment of third-ventricle colloid cyst. However, the standard precoronal endoscopic approach does not always provide an adequate visualisation of the attachment of the cyst to the velum interpositum. Using a more anterior approach, it is easier to reach the…

Natural history of colloid cysts of the third ventricle

J Neurosurg 125:1420–1430, 2016

Colloid cysts are rare, histologically benign lesions that may result in obstructive hydrocephalus and death. Understanding the natural history of colloid cysts has been challenging given their low incidence and the small number of cases in most reported series. This has complicated efforts to establish reliable prognostic factors and surgical indications,…

Natural history of colloid cysts of the third ventricle

J Neurosurg 125:1420–1430, 2016

Colloid cysts are rare, histologically benign lesions that may result in obstructive hydrocephalus and death. Understanding the natural history of colloid cysts has been challenging given their low incidence and the small number of cases in most reported series. This has complicated efforts to establish reliable prognostic factors and surgical indications,…

This is our friend Mike Okonzak. I've known him for years but Eric has known him longer and has been close with him since they were teenagers. Eric's told me story after story about the fun they've had, the hard life Mike's lived (including watching his own mother die of an overdose) and now Mike has taken on the role of father to a son that isn't his, biologically. He's one of those people that everybody loves because you can see the goodness in his eyes when he talks to you. His smile is one of those smiles that can't help but be contagious. 

I have my own stories about Mike, most involving late nights drinking and laughing. He's one of the nicest men I've ever met and he's always quick to make a joke that will leave your sides aching from laughter. He's an amazing chef and works his ass off, putting in 50-60 hour weeks at the restaurant he works at by but even with all that work, he still can't afford health insurance. 

And he just found out he has a Colloid Cyst in his brain that needs to be surgically removed. And he has to pay for it out of pocket.

I am never one to ask for help but Mike absolutely needs it. 

If you live in the Buffalo area, please come to his benefit on June 30th. If you don't, please consider donating to his surgery fund and/or reblogging this. I would be eternally grateful!

I don't even know if I'm writing this properly because it hurts me inside to know he needs a surgery he can't afford for something so scary. I can't even imagine needing brain surgery, let alone not being able to pay for it.  It makes me furious that we live in a country where great people like him have to live without insurance. It's not fair He doesn't deserve the stress that comes with worrying about being sick and having to figure out how to pay for a potentially life saving surgery.