Barbara Gardner

In 2007, a persistent ringing in her ears caused Barbara Gardner to visit the doctor. This was a rare occurrence because Barbara had enjoyed good health for many years. At the time the doctor mentioned something about a “growth” in her ear, but this did not seem to be a major problem. Her doctor changed practices and somehow there was no followed up. Always active and an avid tennis player, Barbara was still playing tennis three times each week in September, 2010.  Not bad for a woman who has seen 78 summers.

Before long however, she developed a balance problem that diminished her court time. In early December, she was attending a grandson’s basketball game when her daughter noticed that Barbara was having balance trouble. A CAT scan revealed the source of the problem: a large tumor on her right balance nerve. An MRI confirmed that the acoustic neuroma was benign, though large at 3.3 cm, and it needed to be removed.  

Barbara saw a number of local doctors who recommended different surgical solutions. By January she was having difficulty walking and began using a walker. Among her large supportive network of family and friends, one who is a pediatric ENT specialist reviewed her test results and recommended the Translabyrinthine surgical approach (Translab), He also pointed out that “you really have only one shot at getting this right.”

Bewildered by the number of surgical options available, the family did some hurried research. They  decided that since Barbara’s hearing in her right ear was poor anyway, the Translab, though it would end hearing in that ear, was the way to go. The family contacted the House Clinic in Los Angeles and sent Barbara’s medical records by overnight express for evaluation by Dr. Rick Friedman. Within the next few days   a 10-person conference call was arranged, including family members and Dr. Friedman, who explained that aTranslab surgery would lead to an easier recovery with less likelihood of complications, and answered everyone’s questions.

Barbara’s surgery at House was scheduled for early February, but her condition rapidly deteriorated.
As husband Howard put it, “We had no idea we were sitting on a time bomb.” Within a few days she fell and was unable to stand up. Howard had to call 911 several times for help lifting her.  Stacy went to Cleveland to help out and was shocked at how much help her mother required. She called House Clinic and was told to take Barbara to the emergency room where she was admitted to the hospital. It was clear that the surgery date needed to be moved forward.

Stacy contacted Dr. Friedman to see how soon the surgery could take place and was told to bring Barbara to Los Angeles and the surgery would be rescheduled. Throughout the flight the family checked Barbara’s cognitive abilities and she seemed OK. But by the time they arrived at House Clinic, she was disoriented and could no longer tell them what year it was. She was immediately rushed to an exam room to be seen by neurosurgeon Marc Schwartz and Dr. Friedman. Surgery was scheduled for the following morning. Dr. Friedman said later that when Barbara arrived she was “doing worse than 99.9% of the acoustic neuroma patients” he sees, most of whom are ambulatory.

Barbara’s surgery began at 7:00 AM.  It took about seven hours to remove the tumor. Because of the degree of her impaired function, her recovery was a few days longer than usual, but very soon the family began to see cognitive improvements. Barbara was in acute rehab – where she spent three hours per day in physical therapy as she regained her ability to walk. In no time she was laughing and joking with her therapist. Barbara was discharged to stay with Howard in an assisted care facility near the beach in Santa Monica for rest and recuperation. The family wanted her to avoid the cold Cleveland winter for a few additional weeks.

“I just can’t give enough accolades to Dr. Friedman,” Stacy said. “That weekend in Cleveland, when my mom was so weak and I was freaking-out, I called House Clinic and spoke to Dr. Lorenz, who was handling calls that day. He told me to take mom to the emergency room. Dr. Friedman called back with comforting words for me, even though that day was an important family celebration for him,” she marveled. “I credit Dr. Friedman with saving my mom’s life,” she stated.