The Connections Bernards Ridge Edition April 2020

Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists is now a proud partner of Altair Health. Together, we’re revolutionizing spine care in New Jersey. How can Altair Health help you? Contact us! altairhealth.com ansdocs.com 833.4ALTAIR (833.425.8247) Guiding Patients. Delivering Outcomes. FOR BRAIN ANEURYSM SURVIVOR RAY SOROKA, UNDERGOING NEW TREATMENT MEANT TEACHING KIDS LIFE LESSONS To effectively treat the father of three, Kyle Chapple, M.D. pioneered the use of the new WEB aneurysm embolization system. Five years after losing his wife, Elaine, to cancer, Ray Soroka of Fredon, NJ received shocking news about his own health. At the age of 65, he was diagnosed with a large brain aneurysm. “I remember feeling something ‘snap’ in my head and upper chest,” says Ray. “After that, I had a dull headache for almost a week. To be safe, I went to get checked out by the neurologist. That’s when an angiogram revealed I had a brain aneurysm.” Ray was referred to Kyle Chapple, M.D., a board-certified neurosurgeon at Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS) – one of the largest neurosurgical practices in New Jersey and one of the most advanced in the county – for treatment. With Dr. Chapple’s expertise and guid- ance, Ray and his children were all involved in formulating a treatment plan. “We talked with Dr. Chapple extensively about our options. We also talked about taking a wait-and-see approach since the aneurysm wasn’t growing,” notes Ray. “But from my perspective, we had to do something. I didn’t want to live in fear of it rupturing. I wanted to be fearless. I wanted to take control of my life, be proactive about my health and teach my kids to do the same.” The size and shape of Ray’s aneurysm, particularly the wide base, posed chal- lenges in effectively stopping blood flow into the aneurysm. After ruling out the viability of using tradi- tional stents or coils, Dr. Chapple brought a new idea to the table. “Ray was the perfect can- didate for a new device called the Woven Endo- Bridge (WEB) aneurysm embolization sys- tem,” Dr. Chapple explains. “This FDA- approved device is essentially a self- expanding mesh ball. It’s placed into the aneurysm by navigating to the brain through the femoral artery in the thigh and blocks blood flow to the aneurysm.” Ray says one of the most appealing parts of the treatment was that once the device was inserted, he wouldn’t have to worry about undergoing future surgeries for stents or coils. Dr. Chapple proceeded with the surgery, marking the first time the WEB aneurysm embolization system was used by any of the leading neurosurgeons at ANS, Over- look Hospital or Atlantic Health System. Following the procedure, Ray stayed at the neuro intensive care unit at Overlook Hospital for one night and was back home the following day. “I had virtually no recovery time,” Ray explains. “I felt great. In just ten days, I was cleared to exercise and, most impor- tantly, lift my grandkids. As my grandson said, ‘Pop Pop wasn’t broken anymore.’” Ray Soroka used his battle with a brain aneurysm to model life lessons for his adult children. Atlantic NeuroSurgical Specialists (ANS) is New Jersey’s largest neurosurgical practice and one of the most advanced in the country. ANS is a proud partner of Altair Health. Visit ANSdocs.com. I wanted to be fearless. I wanted to take control of my life, be proactive about my health and teach my kids to do the same. This FDA-approved device, called the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) aneurysm embolization system, is essentially a self- expanding mesh ball. PAGE 28 Health & Wellness theconnectionsnj.com