Patient Stories

Matthew Pinegar visits Viktoras Palys, M.D. in a follow-up appointment after his RNS Surgery.

Neurostimulator Significantly Reduces Seizures for Missouri Man

Matthew Pinegar was 3 months old when he had his first seizure. He was put on medication to keep them at bay, then taken off the medicine in junior high. “It wasn’t until I was 21 when I had my first grand mal,” Pinegar said. “After that happened and I looked back, I’m sure I…

Jay Edwards

Cancer Survivor Hits High Notes, Inspiring Fellow Myeloma Patients

Even during his own battle with myeloma, Jay Edwards, 60, of Fort Worth, Texas, is always looking for opportunities to comfort and inspire fellow patients at the UAMS Myeloma Center. The musician shares his soothing sounds on the saxophone whenever he has the chance. One memorable occasion was when, as a patient in the midst…

Ted Holder is training for the Boston Marathon in April.

Benched Marathoner Returns to Pavement Thanks to UAMS Surgeon

Ted Holder was in his late 50s when he discovered his love for running. Now 65, he says the sport has become a part of his identity. He’s run five marathons, many half marathons and several 10Ks, 5Ks and other races. Holder looks forwards to logging miles and loves the camaraderie of the running community…

Stephenson and his wife, Brittany, visit UAMS for a checkup.

Patient Uses FaceTime to Call Family During Brain Surgery

Before his seizure on May 31, 2018, Chris Stephenson, of Horatio, Ark., had no idea he had a tumor the size of an orange in his brain. He was logging about 4,000 miles a week in his big rig and happened to be driving when the seizure happened. “It took four paramedics to get me…

Viktoras Palys, M.D. examines his patient Tori Hatcher weeks after she receives a surgical implant to reduce seizures.

Fort Smith Woman has Fewer Seizures Thanks to Surgical Implant

Feb. 11, 2019 |Tori Hatcher used to wake up many mornings in intense pain due to epileptic seizures. They often happened as she slept. “Sometimes my tongue or lip would be bleeding when I woke up,” Hatcher said. “It’s exhausting. Your whole body tenses up in a seizure. By the time it’s over, you’re so…

Chad King playing the piano

First Act After Hearing Loss Surgery: Propose to Fiancé

“Yes” was the first word Chad King of Redfield wanted to hear when he got his cochlear implant. “On the day my implant was activated, I went home and proposed to her,” King said. “I wanted to be able to hear her say ‘yes’ to me.” King’s girlfriend, Jamie, did, indeed, agree to become his…

Donny Koger, left, has his blood pressure checked by Olivia Bayne, RN, during a visit to Mena Regional Health System hospital

Oklahoman Glad He Was in Arkansas When He Had Rare Stroke

Being far from home but in the Arkansas SAVES network may have saved Donny Koger’s life.

A resident of Oklahoma City, Koger was in a wilderness area of Polk County on the western border of Arkansas late in the evening of March 16 when he suddenly found he was unable to speak and was paralyzed from the neck down.

Previous page Next page