For years, Maria Sanchez—a respiratory therapist at Memorial Hospital West, devoted wife of 32 years, and proud mother of two—lived a healthy, active life. Then one morning, everything shifted.

She woke up dizzy, nauseous, and unable to walk steadily. The symptoms came out of nowhere, and she immediately sensed something was wrong. What she didn’t know yet was that a slow-growing benign brain tumor called a meningioma had been silently developing for years.

A Brain Tumor Discovered by Chance

Maria’s tumor was found unexpectedly during a CT scan ordered for a sinus procedure. The imaging revealed a mass at the back of her brain. As additional scans confirmed the diagnosis, fear set in. She knew she needed a neurosurgeon she could trust — someone with deep expertise and a compassionate approach.

She chose Christopher DeMassi, MD, a neurosurgeon at Memorial Neuroscience Institute, whose reputation she already knew well from her years working alongside Memorial’s clinical teams.

Expert Neurosurgical Care

From the moment she met Dr. DeMassi, Maria felt reassured. He explained that her meningioma was small but slow-growing, meaning surgery would be a long-term consideration. Over time, however, her symptoms worsened — daily headaches, neck heaviness, mood changes, and increasing confusion. Eventually, brain tumor surgery became necessary.

Dr. DeMassi and his team guided her through every step:

• Clear explanations of the diagnosis
• What to expect before and after surgery
• How recovery would feel
• The timeline for healing

Maria remembers the entire team — nurses, medical assistants, and nurse practitioners like Jolanda — as thorough, compassionate, and incredibly supportive.

A Successful Brain Surgery and the Road to Recovery

The surgery went well, but recovery required patience and persistence. Maria struggled to lie flat, stretch, cycle, or move her neck comfortably. She experienced lingering headaches and stiffness — all expected after brain surgery.

To regain her strength and mobility, she completed three months of physical therapy at Memorial Hospital Miramar. The rehabilitation team helped her restore neck movement, reduce pain, and rebuild confidence in her daily activities.

Although she initially expected to be out of work for 8–10 weeks, her recovery took a bit longer — but the results were worth it.

Thriving Today With No Pain, No Dizziness, and a Clear Mind

Today, Maria is back to living fully. She no longer experiences dizziness, headaches, or the confusion that once clouded her days. She can walk, think clearly, and enjoy life with her family and coworkers.

Most importantly, she feels grateful for her health, her faith, and the neurosurgical expertise that helped her reclaim her life. As both a patient and a longtime Memorial employee, Maria has seen firsthand the level of care the system provides. Her own experience only deepened that trust.

“I couldn’t be in better hands,” she says of Dr. DeMassi and his team. “They prepared me for everything — from the beginning to the end.”

Her story is a powerful example of Memorial Healthcare System’s excellence in:

• Advanced brain tumor diagnosis and treatment
• Expert neurosurgical care
• Compassionate, patient-centered support
• Comprehensive rehabilitation services

We've Got the Spine, Back, and Nerve to Care for You

Memorial Healthcare System delivers comprehensive, lifelong neuroscience care for adults at Memorial Neuroscience Institute, and children at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. Patients with the most severe neurological and traumatic spinal injuries receive rapid, coordinated care at the Level 1 Trauma Center at Memorial Regional Hospital, while those with complex seizure disorders benefit from the nationally recognized Level IV Epilepsy Center and dedicated Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Memorial also operates two Comprehensive Stroke Centers, ensuring the highest level of stroke diagnosis, intervention, and recovery support. Together, these programs create a seamless, system‑wide network of world‑class neurosurgical care, rehabilitation, and compassionate support for every patient and family.