International Brain Tumor Patient Headed Home After Treatment at Miami Cancer Institute

FESCH.TV INFORMIERT:

When Paula Vargas started complaining about random headaches and problems seeing out of her right eye, the thriving, 27-year-old lawyer thought that stress from work might be causing the issues. After seeing her doctor in her native city of Bogota, Colombia, scans and tests revealed something much more serious.

This is her story.

Baptist Health International offers a full range of services for international patients. For inquiries or to schedule an appointment, call 786-596-2373 or email International@BaptistHealth.net.

[Transcript]

[Video: Baptist Health South Florida Logo, Audio: piano key pulsing]

[On Camera: Paula Vargas, Patient] I was diagnosed with a Chordoma, that is a type of cancer. Mine is located in my skull. I had my first surgery done in Columbia at the end of March of last year. In October, I started noticing that my right eye started to paralyze. I noticed immediately that something wasn’t right.

[Voice Of: Dr. Rupesh Kotecha] Paula came to us with a very rare tumor called a Chordoma. For these patients, they’re typically evaluated in a multidisciplinary setting. They require surgery first, and then radiation therapy afterwards.

[On Camera: Jacqueline Bachelier] Paula and I met back in November. Her family reached out to me and shared her story with me. We knew that time was of the essence. So, we gathered all of her medical documents and imaging pathology to get her here as soon as possible.

[On Camera: Paula] I remember my first day, my first appointment with Dr. Kotecha, he saw a couple of images before, that I sent. We were ready to start my treatment.

[On camera: Dr. Kotecha] We unexpectedly discovered that she had already had a tumor recurrence.

[On Camera: Jacqueline] Well, everything changed. We now had to scramble and find surgery dates. It was actually in the middle of Christmas time, and she was able to get a surgery.

[On Camera: Paula] I’m a lucky, lucky, young woman to be able to come here, because I know that not everyone has the chance to be treated in a proton center like this. No, I’m fortunate and I’m excited. I want to keep working, and keep studying, a lot of plans. They helped me in, like, the hardest time of my life.

[On Camera: Jacqueline] A lot of patients, they travel from other countries. They have no family here, and I am their voice here at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute.

[On Camera: Paula] I’m actually having my 37th session. And then I’m gonna ring my bell. That’s the toll for my new life. For my new journey.

[uplifting music]

[people clapping]

[Video of Paula ringing a large bell, sound of bell ringing]

[Voice of: Dr. Kotecha] Has finished her last treatment of radiation today. And she was honestly just a perfect patient.

[Voice of: Paula] Every single day, everyone asks me, „How are you feeling? How are you doing?“ But not just even in my physical health, also, how was I feeling in my mental health? And that feeling of caring is amazing. It’s amazing.

[Picture of Paula and Jacqueline, Pineapple Logo, bright upbeat music]