During the Summer of 1996, Laura and Richard were waiting for the birth of their first child. In her eighth month, Laura realized that many of the symptoms she had associated with pregnancy were becoming more serious. Her balance was impaired. Her right arm and leg were weak. Her right leg was twitching and keeping her up at night, the apparent effects of Restless Leg Syndrome. The right side of her face and her left eye were drooping. One morning she awoke, unable to speak. Rich rushed her to the hospital, where one week before, they said that she was probably suffering from the symptoms of her previously diagnosed gestational diabetes. As Richard helped Laura through the automatic doors to the emergency room, one of the nurses said, "Looks like she's ready to pop! This way to the delivery room." But Rich explained that the obstetrician had ordered a CT scan, something Laura feared terribly. She was unable to lie on her back for more than a few minutes, and her legs were twitching miserably. Back in a waiting area, Laura and Rich were met by a neurologist. He performed a few tests that would soon become routine. At last he said that the scan had revealed "a tumor on the brain stem." He wasn't sure whether or not it was operable.
A few of the nurses were crying as Laura was wheeled to the helipad. She was flown to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Rich drove after her. Later that evening, the doctors said that the tumor was benign... some good news. They called it a meningioma.
Now that Laura had been stabilized by the neurosurgery team, the obstectrics team stepped in. During the next week, and a series of painful tests, doctors reported that the baby was suffering from holoprosencephaly, a serious brain malformation. Emily Marie was delivered by C-section at thirty-eight weeks. Doctors discovered that some of her problems had been symptoms of Apert Syndrome. She died six days later.
Laura and Richard had been allowed to stay together in the hospital. Now they were sent home to await Laura's brain surgery. After one aborted attempt (the C-section incision became infected), Laura was back in surgery in October 1996. Twelve hours later, she was wheeled toward Richard who kissed her cheek before she was whisked away. She remained in the ICU, tied to a ventriculostomy, for five days, Richard by her side. Once in a regular room, it was clear that Laura had regained functions that doctors had not been able to promise would return. She could write her name again! And Richard will never forget the morning Laura awoke and smiled a beautiful, symmetrical smile!
During the operation, surgeon William Buchheit discovered that the tumor was a Schwannoma.Unfortunately, not all of the tumor could be removed without damaging surrounding tissue. Hoping that, as the tumor collapsed, it had moved away from brain tissue and had become more accessible, he scheduled Laura for another attempt in January 1997. On the day of her parents' wedding anniversary, the family gathered in the Patient Waiting Room once again. After five hours in surgery, Dr. Buchheit stopped the second attempt. Removal was still too dangerous.
Laura had been ready for the second surgery. She'd been jogging and working out through the winter. After a short hospital stay, she was up and around in record time. 
Dr. David Andrews took over the case. Every morning for a month, Laura underwent Stereotactic Radiation Treatment with the Linear Accelerator at Will's Eye Hospital. The great staff at Will's Eye, as well as Laura's stubborness, optimism and sense of humor, helped her through it. And now, follow-up tests have been promising.
Laura is a talented artist. Soon after surgery, she regained her painting skills. Her art helped her to heal. Laura's artwork is featured in the gallery. Also, she had been an Occupational Therapist. She's returned to her work with a new perspective. She published an article about her experiences in Advance, a weekly magazine for Occupational Therapists.
Rich is a video producer and director, as well as a musician. The music of his alter ego is also featured in the gallery.
In December 1998, Laura and Rich announced the birth of their beautiful new daughter Sara Victoria. Life had come full circle.
To get in touch with Laura and Rich, send email to renner@snip.net.
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Created November 1997