The team involved in the treatment and care of patient Jeannie Gaffigan included, from left: Colleen Geary, OTR/L, Rehabilitation Specialist in Occupational Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance; Jeffrey T. Gilligan, MD, Neurosurgery Resident (PGY-5); Neha S. Dangayach, MD, MSCR; Robert J. Rothrock, MD, Chief Neurosurgery Resident (PGY-6); Leslie C. Schlachter, PA-C; Joshua B. Bederson, MD; Kurt A. Yaeger, MD, Neurosurgery Resident (PGY-5); Johanna T. Fifi, MD, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Radiology, and Associate Director, Cerebrovascular Center; Joseph Waugh, NP, Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit; and Holly E. Oemke, Program Manager, Neurosurgery Simulation Core.
In 2017, Jeannie Gaffigan, a popular director, producer, and comedy writer, urgently needed to consult with a neurosurgeon. An MRI had revealed that the seemingly harmless symptoms that she had been experiencing, and ignoring for at least a year—including headaches, dizzy spells, and loss of hearing in one ear—were the result of a massive, life-threatening brain tumor, pushing against her brainstem. Ms. Gaffigan, the mother of five children with her husband, comedian Jim Gaffigan, feared she was going to die.
Joshua B. Bederson, MD, Professor and Chair of Neurosurgery for the Mount Sinai Health System, reassured her that he could perform complex surgery and safely remove the tumor. In a 10-hour operation, Dr. Bederson and his team—relying on years of experience combined with advanced augmented reality technologies—were able to precisely see the brain’s delicate structures, allowing Dr. Bederson to systematically separate each of the nerves and myriad blood vessels from the 6-cm pear-shaped choroid plexus papilloma, a rare type of slow-growing benign tumor.
Now, in a book that was released this month, When Life Gives You Pears, Ms. Gaffigan recounts—with characteristic humor—her extraordinary medical journey at Mount Sinai, acknowledging those who provided her with expert and compassionate care.
Jeannie Gaffigan
“There are many people involved with a patient’s neurosurgical care beyond the surgeon,” says Dr. Bederson. “In Jeannie’s case, she was helped not only by me and my immediate team, but also by neuroendovascular surgeons, neurocritical care staff, pulmonologists, otolaryngologists, physiatrists, physical therapists, and others.”
Leslie C. Schlachter, PA-C, the Department of Neurosurgery’s Chief Physician Assistant and Clinical Director, played a significant role in guiding Ms. Gaffigan through the surgical process and coordinating care across specialties. “Our relationship continues to this day with intermittent text messages where I assure her that she is on the road to an excellent recovery,” says Ms. Schlachter.
After surgery, Ms. Gaffigan spent a period of time in The Mount Sinai Hospital’s Neurosurgery Intensive Care Unit (NSICU), and she later required more hospitalization and a prolonged period of rehabilitation.
Says Neha S. Dangayach, MD, MSCR, Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery, and Neurology, and Co-Director of the NSICU, “Because Jeannie’s surgery was very complex, she required extensive neurocritical care to help her embark on the perfect trajectory for a successful recovery.” Dr. Dangayach adds, “I commend Jeannie for being a great team player, for her sense of humor, and exceptional patience with us. I also commend our team of neurointensivists, fellows, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, specialty-trained nurses, and rehabilitation specialists for providing her exceptional care throughout her weeks-long stay.”