Spinal Tumor Treatment in India

Sneha Williams, a 42-year-old elementary school...

Sneha Williams, a 42-year-old elementary school teacher and mother of two, had always been active. Over six months, she developed persistent, worsening mid-back pain she initially attributed to stress and long hours. It progressed to sharp, electric shock-like pains shooting down her left leg, causing foot numbness and occasional stumbling. Her primary doctor ordered an MRI, revealing a 3 cm benign meningioma compressing her thoracic spinal cord. The neurosurgeon, Dr. Chen, explained the tumor was operable and that surgery was necessary to prevent permanent nerve damage and paralysis. Sneha underwent a posterior thoracic laminectomy for tumor resection. The 5-hour surgery was successful, with complete removal confirmed by intraoperative imaging. Her post-op recovery in the hospital was challenging, with pain managed by medication and initial difficulty moving. After two weeks of inpatient rehab focusing on walking and core strength, she returned home. Three months later, her leg pain and numbness were 90% resolved. She could walk her children to school again, though she still attended physical therapy for residual stiffness. Emotionally, Sneha was terrified before surgery, fearing she wouldn't be able to care for her family. The diagnosis made her feel her body had betrayed her. Afterward, she felt profound gratitude for her surgical team and a renewed appreciation for her health, though she grappled with anxiety before each follow-up scan.