Patient Stories
Sutter Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Center
Makayla Haisten – Gamma Knife Surgery at 3–years–old
It started as a common cold and turned into a parent's worst nightmare. For Penny and Terry Haisten of Las Vegas, the nightmare was all too real. Three and one-half year old Makayla was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Makayla's symptoms at first suggested a bacterial infection and her doctors began a series of tests. Luckily for the Haistens, their pediatrician insisted on a CAT scan to rule out a brain tumor. "We are so grateful," says Penny. "It can take up to six months before neurological symptoms of a brain tumor occur. He saved us that time."
In February of 2001, little Makayla underwent surgery in Las Vegas to remove the tumor in the back of her brain. Due to her age, she was given chemotherapy following the surgery instead of radiation. For the next few months, Makayla appeared to recover but by October, the tumor was back. "I just fell apart," says Penny. "Although my husband had tried to tell me that this was a possibility, I was in total denial." In November, a second surgery was performed in Las Vegas but the entire tumor could not be removed. The vascular tumor was causing profuse bleeding and the neurosurgeon felt the risks were too great to remove the entire growth. Instead, Makayla's neurosurgeon suggested a specific type of radiation available in Los Angeles to reduce the remaining tumor.
The Haistens took Makayla to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, leaving their younger daughter, Bailey, with her grandparents. While the radiation helped to check the growth of the tumor, it continued to grow. In addition, Makayla had to take steroids to counter the effects of the radiation and the pressure headaches caused by the tumor. "It was horrible trying to explain to our little girl why she was hurting so much," says Penny. "She just wanted it all to stop." While the steroids helped Makayla deal with her headaches, they also caused intense mood swings. "She was hungry all the time and her weight doubled, peaking at 105 lbs," Penny adds.
A third surgery was inevitable. This time Makayla's Las Vegas neurosurgeon suggested a neurosurgery team at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. Once again, the Haistens bundled up their little girl and traveled to another state for help. The neurosurgery team performed the surgery in October of 2002, eliminating the majority of the tumor, and one month later removed the remaining growth using the noninvasive Gamma Knife procedure.
The Gamma Knife is not a knife, but a technologically advanced machine that allows surgeons to operate on abnormal areas of the brain using gamma radiation instead of a scalpel. During a typical surgical procedure, the Gamma Knife delivers a single or multiple, high dose of ionizing radiation to deep-seated targets within the brain without opening the skull. The Gamma Knife uses the power of 201 beams of ionizing radiation to converge at a target point into the patient's brain to scramble the genetic code of the abnormal tissue to destroy it, inhibit growth, or to seal off malformed arteries and veins. Sutter's Gamma Knife is one of only two units in Northern California.
Before this type of procedure is performed, it is taken to a clinical board consisting of other surgeons, radiologists, and oncologists. The Gamma Knife procedures usually takes from one to three hours. However, due to the complexity of Makayla's condition, her procedure took more than eight hours. The Gamma Knife team makes sure there are checks and balances at all junctures.
Although the Haistens were not familiar with Gamma Knife technology, they trusted the Gamma Knife Team. "I was amazed at the camaraderie among the various physicians, nurses, and technicians at Sutter," Penny says. "It was like they all left their individual egos at the door. They almost wanted their judgments questioned to be sure no possible solution had been overlooked."
With Makayla's tumor currently in remission, the Haistens are trying to lead a more normal life. "I realize there is always the possibility the tumor will grow back," Penny says. "But I also know we have a wonderful oncologist and surgeon to help us deal with it." Makayla is in counseling to help her deal with the trauma she has endured and is in physical therapy to regain some motor skills lost as a side effect of the steroids and radiation. Penny, who quit her job to be with Makayla and Bailey, looks forward to spending more time at the neighborhood park. "Makayla's immune system was so fragile before, we couldn't let her play with other children - but now she can."
Penny's plans for a more normal life include returning to school to complete her nursing degree. "I'd really like to give back to others some of the wonderful care and compassion we received at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. When something like this happens, you think you can't handle it. But with help, you do. You have to."