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Local Resident Thanks HMC Neurosurgeon for Saving her Life
On January 27, 2023, Christina
was heading to work as a
Preschool teacher when she
slipped on black ice and hit her
head. Not realizing the severity
of her injuries, she cleaned up a
cut above her eye and continued
to start her day opening up her
Preschool. "When I got to work,
my colleagues didn't think I
looked good and my headache
started getting worse, so my
Director drove me to Hunterdon
Medical Center's Emergency
Department," explained
Christina.
Christina doesn't remember
a lot after arriving to the
hospital. Neurosurgeon, Richard
Buonocore, M.D. remembers
Christina well. "Christina had
the most severe brain bleed I
have seen. We rushed her in the
Operating Room and performed
an emergency craniotomy to
allow me to access the brain and
repair the bleed." A craniotomy
is a surgical procedure in which a
small hole is made in the skull to
access the brain. Dr. Buonocore
stated, "If Christina did not have
this procedure at Hunterdon
Medical Center and had to be
transported to another facility,
she would not be alive today."
After the surgery, Christina was
able to talk and even enjoyed
a chopped salmon burger. "I
remember Dr. Buonocore was
amazed that I was eating and
talking so quickly. Everyone
that cared for me at Hunterdon
Medical Center was so kind and
treated me as if I were part of
their family," said Christina.
Christina had a long road to
recovery and a strong family
support to help her at home
as she navigated rehab with
physical and occupational
therapy each day. "I was
back to work five weeks after
my surgery with my walker in
hand. Coming back to teach my
four year olds was something I
needed to help in my recovery,"
explained Christina.
It has been nearly two years
since Christina's fall and she
is thankful and prays for Dr.
Buonocore every day. "For the
past couple of years, I often
send Dr. Buonocore pictures of
places I have been able to visit,
weddings I attended, family I get
to spend time with and tell him
that it is because of him I get to
experience all these things."
Dr. Buonocore is a neurosurgeon
with a special interest in
stereotactic radiosurgery. He
joined Neurosurgical Associates
of Central Jersey in 2019. Dr.
Buonocore is affiliated with
Hunterdon Medical Center. To
learn more, visit
www.hunterdonhealth.org.
Christina Napoli enjoyed traveling to Iceland with her family after her surgery
and recovery. Christina is pictured with her daughter Amy.
Readington resident, Christina Napoli has a lot to be thankful for.
