 |
The Healing Power of a Dog’s Love
This neurology patient credits her steady recuperation to a potent combination of factors, including
a team of great physicians, the services of a superb hospital, and the devotion of her beloved pet.
For Amy Guinnessey of Shrewsbury,
the details are a bit fuzzy — details
about how she came to Riverview
Medical Center, about her two
craniotomies there, about her five-and-
a-half-week stay at the hospital.
What is clear in her mind, though,
is the love that her dog, Shelby, showed
her during this time and how Shelby
continues to help her now as she
travels the path to recovery.
The Need for Treatment
It all began with a seizure. "Amy had
a seizure disorder, so she had been
under my care for a few years," explains
Alan Pertchik, M.D., a neurologist
affiliated with Riverview Medical
Center. "But the seizures were mild
and easily controlled. However, one
day she presented at my office after
a seizure, and there was a marked
difference in her behavior," continues
Dr. Pertchik. "We discovered she had
bilateral intracranial hematomas (ICH)."
There are several types of ICH, or blood clots, in or around the brain. These can range from mild head injuries to quite serious and potentially life-threatening injuries. Amy underwent two craniotomies, performed by Bruce Rosenblum, M.D., section chief of Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the CyberKnife Center at Riverview Medical Center, to have the clots removed.
"Amy’s condition was life threatening and the surgery to remove the clots was quite complex," explains Dr. Rosenblum. "Amy had developed large collections of blood, known as subdural hematomas, over both hemispheres of her brain. I performed an extensive operation exposing both sides of her brain and evacuating the blood. After the surgery, intense critical care management contributed to her recovery. During the operation, I had inserted a device called an intracranial pressure monitor into the space surrounding the brain. The tool allowed me to detect and treat brain swelling during the postoperative period," continues Dr. Rosenblum. "State of the art technology, perseverance, and Amy’s will to recover combined to allow her to recuperate completely."
The surgery was followed by weeks of recovery under the direction of Jorge Corzo, M.D., medical director of Riverview Rehabilitation Center. Amy doesn’t remember
a lot about her time in
the hospital, but what she
does remember is positive.
"I remember wanting to go
home, but I also remember
every doctor, nurse,
and person I came
across at Riverview
being so kind,
patient, and
understanding,"
she remarks.
They Call It Puppy Love
Of course, Amy also remembers the
highlight of her stay: Shelby coming
to visit! "I was surprised that they let
Shelby come to visit me, but I was so
glad they did," says Amy, "not just for
me, but for her. My father brought her
in to see me because she was depressed
at home waiting for me. As it turned
out, it was great for both of us."
Amy’s father, Donald Gill, M.D.,
a retired physician who spent years
treating patients at Riverview, saw
the value of bringing Shelby in
during his daughter’s rehabilitation.
In fact, Riverview Rehabilitation
Center — the only CARF-accredited rehabilitation facility in the area — has
its own special policy regarding visits
from pets because of the benefit they
add to the rehabilitation process. There
are numerous studies to support this
conclusion, but Amy doesn’t need to
cite a study. She knows from firsthand
experience that Shelby’s presence,
in concurrence with the first-rate health
care she received at Riverview, played
an invaluable role in her recovery.
Dr. Pertchik, a dog lover himself,
agrees. "Amy has made a very large
improvement, and I’m not surprised
that her dog played a role in the
healing process."
 – Tria Deibert
- Pets can improve your mood.
- Pets control blood pressure.
- Pets encourage you to get out and exercise.
- Pets can help with social support.
- Pets stave off loneliness.
- Pets can reduce stress — sometimes more than people can.
Find out more about the health benefits
of pet ownership at upcoming events by
checking RiverviewMedicalCenter.com.
|
|
