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At the tender age of 8 years, Fabian Soto was referred to the Florida Hospital Gamma Knife Center with polycystic astrocytoma. Fabian had endured symptoms for longer than his parents cared to remember. When he was only a year old, Fabian had a convulsion that was attributed to a stroke. He was only 7 when his parents took him to a dermatologist for a questionable skin condition. A skin biopsy and MRI revealed a diagnosis of Tuberous Sclerosis. Tuberous Sclerosis is a condition characterized by the development of benign neoplasm's (a tumor or tissue composed of cells that grow in an abnormal way) in the brain. In addition, growth of skin lesions may be disfiguring to patients. Six months later, after the continued growth of the tumor and chronic, cranial pain, Fabian's parents were "emotionally distraught" and desperate to help their child. Both parents are nurses employed at a prominent hospital in San Juan, Puerto Rico and according to Orlando Soto, Fabian's father, "we were scared and losing hope." But a call to the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute changed all that. After being referred to the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, Fabian's parents were put in contact with Marilyn Lopez-Moya, Patient Care Coordinator. After consulting with Lopez-Moya on possible options for their son, the family (including Fabian's 11 year old sister Fabiana) then flew to Orlando for Fabian to have Gamma Knife surgery. "The staff at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute made all the difference for us" says Orlando Soto, Fabian's father. "We were afraid and did not know what to expect. The staff talked to us as a family and prepared us all for Fabian's surgery. They educated us all on the process and we were shown the actual machines and introduced to other patients who shared our experience." The family was invited to stay close to Fabian at the Ronald McDonald House located on the Florida Hospital campus. On June 14th, 2005, Fabian underwent a successful Gamma Knife operation.
He has resumed a normal life at his home in Puerto Rico since. A
top honors, bilingual student in school, Fabian can return to playing
basketball with his friends and can continue to seek his dream of
becoming a famous scientist. For the 8 year old, the highlight of
his trip may have been the day he enjoyed at Universal Studios Orlando
with his family; but to his family, the highlight of the trip was
the interaction with staff at the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute
and the Gamma Knife Center.
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