Not sure I’ve seen Marci Shatzman without a pen and notebook in hand.
The former Sun Sentinel reporter, now freelance writer for several Palm Beach County publications including the Boca Tribune, has certainly made a name for herself. She is an active community volunteer and knows every news beat from Boca Raton, up the Treasure Coast and down to Miami. She has covered it all.
But recently something slowed her down. A very important ‘something’ to her work and her daily life—a tremor in her hands that she couldn’t stop.
“I couldn’t eat soup in public anymore. I had to ask for a half glass and a straw to drink. I knew it would only get worse,” said Shatzman.
Last spring, Marci and I were both at The Old Course at Broken Sound one afternoon covering the exciting announcement that the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational was coming to town. While interviewing former NFL pros and event sponsors, I noticed Marci’s hands shaking.
And I wasn’t the only one.
Mark Larkin, president of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital Foundation, did too, and said to Marci, “I see you have essential tremor. We’re going to fix it.”
And so they got to work.
The hospital’s Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, was just starting to treat patients with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for those suffering from essential tremor. The technology uses concentrated ultrasound waves to heat the brain tissue and block signals causing the tremor.
It didn’t take long for Marci and her husband, Brian Feldman, to sign up and Marci soon became “spokes-patient” for the hospital’s new HIFU essential tremor treatment.
“My hand was steady immediately. Everyone applauded. This is an outpatient procedure, so we went home right away,” said Shatzman. She applauded neurosurgeon and Director of Functional Neurosurgery at Marcus Neuroscience Institute Dr. Tim Miller and his team.
“We are pleased to be able to offer HIFU treatment at Marcus Neuroscience Institute and help those dealing with essential tremor, which may have impacted their routines and daily activities,” said Dr. Miller. “By having the ability to now target and treat specific areas of the brain with precision, we can improve the quality of life for so many in our community, allowing them to regain control and confidence in their lives.”
According to the Baptist Health team, some of the benefits of HIFU include incisionless treatment, outpatient procedure, no general anesthesia, and immediate results on the treated hand. The procedure is safe and effective with minimal side effects.
As for that soup?
Bring it on.
“Last week I had soup for the first time at our regular restaurant Rise Sushi. I ate with chopsticks!” said Shatzman.
For more information, visit Baptist Health’s Marcus Neuroscience Institute.
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