Incisionless surgery on the brain, that is changing lives.

Can you imagine being so happy to drink water without spilling it that it brings a tear to your eye?

This was Neville’s reality after enduring essential tremors for over 30 years. While most of us casually grab a glass and pour our favourite drink, Neville struggled, requiring a water bottle or a cup with a lid. For Neville, eating rice was absolutely out of the question, with most of it landing on his lap. It was the simple things we do every day that Neville could not do, impacting his life severely.

Watch this video to see the incredible before and after results of Incisionless Brain Surgery.

Neville’s tremors were inherited from his mother, with them first appearing in his 30s. By his 40s, the tremors had worsened, and he avoided drinking in front of others. “If someone asked if I wanted coffee, I’d say I already had one to avoid the embarrassment,” Neville shared. At 74, he couldn’t imagine a life without tremors, but a serendipitous referral to Dr. Sam Heshmat, Medical Director of Neurology Services at Gold Coast University Hospital, would be a life-changing opportunity for Neville he never thought was possible.

The treatment was incisionless surgery on the brain, a treatment previously unavailable in Australia within the public health system. With a private hospital price tag of $30,000+, Neville never thought this treatment would be made available to him publicly.

Watch the 9 News Coverage to learn more.

In the months that followed Neville’s initial consultation, Dr. Heshmat and his team prepared him to be the first public patient in Australia at Gold Coast University Hospital to receive the incisionless surgery procedure. A momentous event that was made possible by generous donations to the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation that helped fund the essential Halo devices used for the procedure.

The procedure, called Magnetic Resonance (MR)-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) is a safe and non-invasive medical procedure to treat patients with disabling neurological conditions, such as Essential Tremors and tremors related to Parkinson’s Disease. The procedure uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to locate areas of the brain that trigger symptoms of movement disorders. Focused ultrasound waves ablate the affected tissue, disrupting the abnormal brain activity and significantly reducing tremors, whilst the head is held still with halo devices fitted to each patient.

Watch this Gold Coast Health video to learn more about the surgery process. 

On the day of the procedure, Neville kept calm by focusing on what his life would be like, free from essential tremors. He imagined grabbing a round of drinks at the bar for his family and friends and carrying them back to the table, eating foods he loved without making a mess, and fixing things around the house with ease.

“I had an emergency buzzer to press in case I needed it. They pulled me out every few minutes to check on me, and I said I felt normal, so they went in again and repeated that four times. By the fourth time, I could feel my right hand was not shaking. It was just amazing,” Neville smiled.

The procedure not only restored Neville’s physical abilities but also rejuvenated his spirit. “The very first thing I did when I got home was tighten a handle of a drawer with a screwdriver,” he said, relishing the simplicity of the task. Daily activities that once took minutes now took seconds, filling him with joy and gratitude.

Neville has also rediscovered his love for hobbies. “I loved doing crosswords,” he said, recalling how he could finally sit outside with his coffee and a crossword puzzle. Living in a retirement village, Neville embraced the community activities he had once been unable to fully participate in. “I go swimming twice a week, play pool on Tuesdays, and cards on Saturdays,” he shared, his schedule packed with activities he loved.

Neville’s gratitude was boundless. “I can never express enough appreciation. How lucky am I? Just a little bloke from the burbs, and I got this opportunity.” He extended his heartfelt thanks to the donors, Gold Coast Hospital Foundation, and the medical team that made his procedure possible. “Without their generosity, I don’t get anything. They’re not just helping me; they’ll help more people.”

Neville looked forward to the future with excitement. A cruise to Hobart in September, another to New Zealand for Christmas, and a trip to Bali for his granddaughter’s 18th birthday were just a few of the adventures on his horizon. The prospect of a follow-up procedure to address his other hand only added to his anticipation.

For those suffering from tremors, Neville had a clear message: “I have no concerns about recommending this procedure. You’re dealing with incredible people, and you can see what it’s done for me.” His life, once restricted by tremors, was now filled with possibility and joy. Every sip of his morning coffee served as a reminder of the incredible journey he had undertaken.

Neville’s incredible medical team place the one of the halos funded by Gold Coast Hospital Foundation onto Neville’s head. Watch this video to see more.