Missy Smart

Last fall, Missy began having pains in her face. Like many, she dealt with it until it passed. Early the next June, the pains returned. A few days later she woke up feeling like her face was being electrocuted. It was the beginning of bouts of horrible stabbing pains that only got worse with each passing week.


After multiple doctor's visits, neurologists finally confirmed Missy had Trigeminal Neuralgia. TN is a rare condition that only affects about 200,000 each year. There is no cure for TN. It is a chronic disease that only gets worse with age. The doctors were able to prescribe medicines in an attempt to control the pain.


An MRI revealed that there appeared to be a benign meningioma growing in Missy's brain.  The tumor was pressing against the trigeminal nerve. Unfortunately, the tumor was also pressing against the brain stem and wrapped around the carotid artery. She was referred to Duke University.


Missy was referred to Dr. Allan Friedman at the Brain Cancer Center. Dr. Friedman is the best in his field and is requested by many famous people. He decided to treat Missy's  case aggressively considering her young age. Surgery was scheduled for Monday, September 24.