Medical marvel
Lowell parents count their blessings with son,By Connie Cartmell, ccartmell@mariettatimes.com
Article Photos
Fact Box
About epilepsy
A neurological condition that, from time to time, produces brief disturbances in the normal electrical functions of the brain.
Normal brain patterns may be interrupted by bursts of electrical energy that can be intense. They may affect a person's consciousness, bodily movements or sensations for a short time.
These physical changes are called epileptic seizures.
Seizures are the only visible symptom of epilepsy. They happen without warning.
Epilepsy is never contagious.
The disorder affects close to 3 million Americans of all ages.
Epilepsy can also occur in animals, including dogs, cats, rabbits and mice.
For seven out of 10 people with epilepsy, no cause can be found.
About 30 percent of the 125,000 new cases every year begin in childhood.
Epilepsy may be treated with drugs, surgery, a special diet or an implanted device programmed to stimulate the vagus nerve. Drug therapy is the most common treatment and usually the first tried.
Source: www.epilepsyfoundation.org
Like most any other 3-year-old boy, Russell Brooker of Lowell loves warm chocolate chip cookies, especially from Great-Grandma Audrey Brooker's kitchen.
"Every time he comes over to my house he asks for them," Audrey Brooker of Beverly, said proudly. "He's doing just great for what he's gone through. He is just another little 3-year-old. It's a miracle."
Anthony and Melissa Brooker, Russell's parents, and the rest of his family were not so sure a miracle would come along when it was discovered two weeks after his birth that Russell had epilepsy.
Nearly 3 million Americans are living with epilepsy, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Of that number, 1.5 million are children.
Epilepsy is a neurological condition that produces disturbances in the normal electrical functions of the brain. Seizures, which occur without warning, are the only symptom of the disorder.
At first, everything seemed perfect and normal for the young Washington County parents.
Russell, their first child, was born at Marietta Memorial Hospital Jan. 6, 2006. He weighed 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and, by all outward appearances, had no problems.
"He was 2 weeks old and I was holding him when his little arms and legs started jerking and he got the hiccups," Melissa Brooker, 28, said. "The hiccups quit, but not the jerking."
The young parents took him to the emergency room at Marietta Memorial.
"It was very scary," Melissa Brooker said. "I guess it was a mother's intuition. You could just tell something wasn't right."
Russell was referred to specialists at Columbus Children's Hospital, where he and his parents spent five weeks. All the while, the baby continued to experience seizures.
The Brookers returned home with their child on medication to control the neurological outbursts of energy.
But the seizures didn't stop.
When Russell was 7 months old, he was referred to specialists at the Cleveland Clinic Epilepsy Center.
"Epilepsy is an electrical storm in the brain," said Dr. Elaine Wyllie, director of the clinic's center for pediatric neurology, an epilepsy specialist and Russell's lead doctor. "In Russell's case, a part of his brain (the right temporal back portion) formed improperly, likely in the very early stages of development."
For most people with epilepsy, medication alone will control seizures. But in Russell's case, medications did not work.
"This little guy was having a lot of seizures, many a day," Wyllie said. "Some lasted up to an hour. His chances without surgery were very slim."
The doctor called his epilepsy "life-threatening" and "catastrophic."
Once in Cleveland, the decision was made to perform a conservative brain surgery, hoping that would relieve the debilitating seizures.
"His first surgery was Aug. 10, 2006," Melissa Brooker said. "We had no idea this could be done. There was a team of people around him. It was health care like I've never seen before."
Many members of the family joined the young parents in Cleveland for the first surgery. Anthony and Melissa stayed at the Ronald McDonald House during the entire time.
The more conservative approach wasn't successful. Doctors called for a second, more extensive surgery to relieve the disorder.
At 7 months old, Russell Brooker had the entire right hemisphere of his brain removed.
"People still don't realize that surgery is an option," Wyllie said. "First we try medications. If at least two that are tried fail, we may consider surgery."
Three questions must be answered first - Would surgery work on this patient? Is it safe? Is it warranted?
In all three questions, Russell's medical condition fit.
The second surgery was a success, even better than expected.
"I am ecstatic," Wyllie said. "I am thrilled with his outcome. It is truly one of the most rewarding things that can happen when this was such a serious disorder and now I believe he is cured of epilepsy."
Anthony Brooker said he and his wife are still pretty protective of their only child, but have been told only normal precautions were necessary once he healed. His young age may be a plus, his doctor said.
"They told us he was the second smallest child they had ever done (with this surgery)," he said.
Today Russell is walking, talking and is a trim and slim 28 pound running, jumping, driving-mom-and-dad-crazy-at-times boy.
He has been seizure-free since his second surgery.
Russell lost his peripheral vision with the surgery, but doctors say there is no problem with the boy's intellect. He does have some motor and developmental issues with the left side of his body that are expected to improve with age.
"He is still receiving therapy for better movement of his left arm, hand and leg, but is doing very well," Melissa Brooker said. "His grip is improving in his left hand; otherwise, has no other problems. He is amazing."
His parents are deeply grateful for all the doctors, nurses and staff that helped Russell throughout this ordeal and for local churches, including St. Bernard's Catholic in Beverly, where they attend, for their help and prayers. Anthony Brooker's union, the Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 168 provided much support and help, his wife said.
"He's our little miracle boy," said Martha Fliehman, Anthony Brooker's aunt. "We knew it was risky surgery but had faith they knew what they were doing. The hospital was amazing. Every month they do this surgery, but he was one of the youngest."
Russell is not only seizure-free, but is off of all medications.
"I feel really good now," Anthony Brooker said. "Cleveland Clinic saved his life."
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hockeypuck
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12-30-08 8:24 PM
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God bless this family.
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buckeye4life
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12-30-08 7:46 PM
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I've known Anthony a long time and I wish the best for the family, Happy Holidays
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ADouglas82
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12-30-08 7:17 PM
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I have known Melissa all of my life and I am so happy to hear that her precious boy is doing so well! Lots of love and luck to the whole family!
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ladynoogs
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12-30-08 5:02 PM
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modern medical care is a Savior to this child. Thank you Marietta times for sharing the wonderful news of how this childs life (and his families) was made better and he is alive today thanks to that wonderful caring family and team of doctors from Cleveland!!!! Happy birthday Russel!!!!
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NoelTyler
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12-30-08 12:17 PM
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So sad.
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peppie
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12-30-08 11:05 AM
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It is so nice to hear about Russell. I also feel that there is not the best medical treatment in the MOV.
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REALLYDISTURBED
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12-30-08 9:25 AM
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Great story!! Good luck to little Russell and his family. I believe this story brings to light hope and persistance. But it also shows that if you suffer from a condition, don't just stay around the MOV and accept ho-hum medical services, go out and seek treatments, There are BETTER options availible. Go find them.
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ColtsMommy
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12-30-08 9:10 AM
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Another story of love and hope!!! From my miracle child to yours...Happy New Year!!!
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