Source: Catholic Health Good Samaritan University Hospital
Learning that you need spine surgery to correct herniated discs can be frightening enough, but hearing a neurosurgeon say that you need the procedure immediately or run the risk of paralysis is terrifying. That is the situation that Richard DeCicco faced last fall. Fortunately, he was in the Emergency Department at Catholic Health’s Good Samaritan University Hospital (West Islip, NY), and met with Dr. Borimir Darakchiev, who determined that Mr. DeCicco had major spinal cord compression caused by two large herniated cervical discs and was progressively losing strength. Dr. Darakchiev made it clear that he didn’t have the luxury of time; the surgery was essential to prevent the possibility of paralysis.
Richard was admitted as an inpatient on the day he arrived at the hospital and underwent surgery the following day. Richard underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and spent just two days recovering in Good Samaritan’s Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, where he was up and walking with the assistance of physical therapists. In a short time, all of his symptoms disappeared. He regained full sensation in his hands, arms, legs and feet. Within a few months, he had completely recovered and was able to return to his active lifestyle, playing golf and pickleball and enjoying time with his wife, their grown children and eight grandchildren.
