Nicaraguan Patient Chooses Local Surgeon and Birmingham for Her Care

6/30/2017

Birmingham, AL (June 30, 2017) --- Silvia Morales didn’t think too much about the symptoms she was experiencing several weeks ago at home in her native Nicaragua. “I thought it was probably a sciatic nerve. So, I visited a spine center at home where they conducted a MRI. That’s when I was told I had a tumor on my spine,” said Morales, the 43-year-old mother of four.

“Surgery was going to be required so I consulted with family in both Birmingham and Houston. I was told I could have the surgery in Nicaragua, at MD Anderson in Houston or in Birmingham with Dr. Swaid N. Swaid. I felt very comfortable coming to Birmingham because of family recommendations and Dr. Swaid’s reputation. Plus, I like the South,” said Morales.

She and her husband, Ramiro Martinez, arrived in Birmingham and met with Dr. Swaid, a neurosurgeon, on June 19. He confirmed the diagnosis and on June 22, surgery was performed to remove a meningioma tumor from her spine. “Dr. Swaid said the tumor was substantially larger than he anticipated and is rare,” explained Morales. “But the surgery was very successful.”

Now recovering on Easy Street, the inpatient rehab unit at Grandview, Morales says she is feeling better and working to regain her strength before returning to Nicaragua.

“Mrs. Morales was a real pleasure to take care of and it’s always great to play a role in Birmingham being chosen as a medical destination,” said Dr. Swaid.

Back