For several years, epilepsy prevented Karen Shusterman of Lafayette Hill, Pa., from leading a normal life. Within six months of her surgery at Cleveland Clinic in 2007, she was seizure-free.
“We were blessed to have the most compassionate staff and the best medical care in the world,” says her husband, Richard. “We couldn’t believe that we didn’t have to wait for hours to see a doctor, and everyone was wonderful and caring, from the greeters in the hallway to the nurses and physicians. Cleveland Clinic is an extremely special place.”
Gratitude Inspires Chair
Gratitude for the care that Mrs. Shusterman received has led to the Karen and Richard Shusterman Family Endowed Chair. William Bingaman, MD, Section Head of the Epilepsy Center, will be the first chair holder.
Mrs. Shusterman’s epilepsy was caused by a malformation of blood vessels in her brain called a cavernous angioma, a mass that creates pressure and swelling in the brain and can lead to seizures. Although congenital, her problem went undiagnosed until she began having symptoms in her 40s. It is a rare condition, affecting about 1 percent of the U.S. population, and its cause is unknown.
Her first signs that something was wrong were seizures, of which she says she was unaware until family and friends observed that she had suddenly “zoned out.”
“My eyes would get glassy, and I might say something totally unrelated when I came out of it,” she says. “My kids would say, ‘Mom, you had a seizure.’”
Her seizures continued for three-and-a-half years, and she was treated with medication. Her quality of life deteriorated because she no longer could enjoy the freedom of driving a car, and she never knew when she might have a seizure.
When her medication stopped working, the couple sought additional help. They conducted a search for the best medical institution to perform the epilepsy surgery that Mrs. Shusterman needed.
“We found in our research that Dr. Bingaman was one of only a few doctors who did this type of surgery,” Mr. Shusterman says.
Leading Epilepsy Program
Cleveland Clinic’s epilepsy program leads the country in surgical volume, and physicians across medical disciplines work together in caring for patients, resulting in better, more convenient care, Dr. Bingaman says.
“From the first time we called Dr. Bingaman, we were met with such warmth and kindness,” Mr. Shusterman says. “We went to Cleveland Clinic, met with Dr. (Imad) Najm and Dr. Bingaman, and proceeded with having this mass removed. We were very blessed because it was much larger than we had been told before we went there and much more life-threatening in its position, growth, shape and size.”
By removing the mass and irritated brain tissue around it, both the cavernous angioma and the epilepsy usually are cured, Dr. Bingaman says.
Throughout her surgery and post-operative care, Mrs. Shusterman received “a level of care far superior to anything we had ever seen,” Mr. Shusterman says. “If I could extend my arms in a huge circle, I would give the entire Cleveland Clinic staff a hug.”
Since her surgery, Mrs. Shusterman is back at work as a speech and language therapist. “I have completely recovered,” she says. “I can get in my car and drive again, and I don’t have to worry about having a seizure.”
Benefits of Epilepsy Surgery
Dr. Bingaman says he is honored by the Shustermans’ gift and hopes that it will help raise awareness of the benefits of epilepsy surgery.
“Epilepsy surgery is underutilized in this country, and stories like theirs will help us get the message out to many people who will benefit,” he says. “Through their kindness, we will be able to support outcomes research and neuropsychological changes associated with temporal lobe epilepsy surgery. This will, in turn, lead to better and safer surgical techniques.”
The Shustermans are happy to help Cleveland Clinic’s efforts.
“With this chair, we can give back, leave a legacy for others and thank Dr. Bingaman and Dr. Najm for the miraculous things they have done for us,” Mr. Shusterman says. “Through research, we hope there will be medical and surgical breakthroughs so that other people will be able to live productive lives again.”
Story originally featured in the fall 2008 issue of Catalyst.
To make a gift supporting the Neurological Institute or any area of Cleveland Clinic, visit iSupport, our secure online giving site, or call Institutional Relations and Development at 216.444.1245 or toll-free at 800.223.2273, ext. 41245.
Related Links
Neurological Institute
Epilepsy Center
