Awake for Brain Surgery: A Father's Fight for More Tomorrows

Ryan Sharp thought he was living a perfectly normal life in Piedmont, Oklahoma. The father of two young children was in good health and active, with no indications or warning signs that anything was wrong. That all changed at 5 a.m. on May 21, 2015, when he woke up having a grand mal seizure.

“Previous to that, I didn’t have any symptoms at all,” Ryan said. “I was completely healthy, no headaches, no signs of seizures or anything like that. So just randomly, I had a seizure.”

After being transported to a local hospital, scans revealed the cause was a golf ball-sized tumor on the left side of his brain. For Ryan, a man who had never known anyone with a brain tumor, the diagnosis felt overwhelming.

“I didn’t know anybody that had a brain tumor at all, so I was completely confused, and the internet is scary,” he said. “Dr. Google is terrifying. They only want to tell you the worst, and basically, there’s no hope.”

Ryan’s first surgery at another hospital in June 2015 was only partially successful. The surgeon could not clearly distinguish between tumor and healthy brain tissue and was only able to take a biopsy and close the incision. The diagnosis was a diffuse astrocytoma, grade 2, a low-grade glioma that would require specialized care.

The diagnosis led Ryan to OU Health, where he met neuro-oncologist Dr. James D. Battiste, M.D., Ph.D, associate professor in the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, who recommended an awake craniotomy — a procedure that would allow surgeons to remove the tumor while Ryan remained conscious enabling real-time monitoring of his brain function.

“They said, ‘Hey, we can get it all. But, the thing is, it’s going to be the awake craniotomy,’” Ryan said. “So I was like, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’”

On Jan. 13, 2016, Ryan underwent his second brain surgery, this time at OU Health using the awake craniotomy technique. The six- to seven-hour procedure was a success, and Ryan was amazed by the experience.

“I always told myself, if I ever have to have another surgery, it would be the awake craniotomy because of the experience,” he said. “You go in there, and they test you while you have the surgery. You’re awake and talking like nothing’s happening because you can’t feel anything.”

The Power of Specialized Care

What made Ryan’s experience at OU Health different was the level of specialized care and coordination among the entire team. OU Health neurosurgeon Dr. Ian F. Dunn, M.D., FACS, FAANS, professor and executive dean for the OU College of Medicine, explained that awake craniotomies require exceptional precision and teamwork.

“There are approximately eight different types of communication that occur during an awake surgery,” Dr. Dunn said. “And he did really well. Nothing is more satisfying when that happens.”

The procedure involves opening the skull to access the brain, then using electrical stimulation to map critical areas while the patient performs specific tasks. For Ryan, whose tumor was near speech centers, this meant constant monitoring of his ability to communicate.

“The whole game is about pinpointing what we want to remove,” Dr. Dunn explained. “We want to preserve his ability to retain critical functions like speech that make patients who they are but be aggressive with the disease that could compromise them in the end. So, it truly represents the pinnacle of precision and finesse.”

Central to Ryan’s care was OU Health physical therapist Tressie Stephens, DPT, PT, who worked with him during both surgeries at OU Health.

“We always meet with the patients before surgery to establish a baseline and get to know them better,” Stephens said. “This helps us take a more individualized approach to each case. We also meet their families, when possible, and spend time making sure everyone feels comfortable and supported. After all, this process is centered entirely around the patient.”

Following his successful surgery in 2016, Ryan enjoyed nearly a decade of clear scans and normal life. He returned to work at AT&T, coached his children’s sports teams, and maintained an active lifestyle. However, doctors had warned him that this type of tumor often recurs.

“The doctors always told me it would come back eventually,” Ryan said. “Dr. Batiste said nine to 10 years is typically when they see that recurrence. Well, it was like clockwork.”

In March 2024, while on spring break in Mexico with his family, Ryan had another seizure. Initially, scans were clear, but by April 2025, imaging revealed the tumor had returned. Once again, he turned to the team at OU Health.

A Third Surgery and Continued Hope

In May 2025, Ryan underwent his third brain surgery, another awake craniotomy with Dr. Dunn and the same specialized team, including Stephens. This time, Stephens was monitoring Ryan for seizures and motor function, given the tumor’s location.

“In this most recent surgery, we were monitoring Ryan for seizures and to make sure he could still initiate movement,” Stephens said.

The procedure was successful. Ryan had brain surgery at 7 a.m. and went home the next morning at 9:30 a.m.

What Makes OU Health Different

OU Health’s success with complex procedures like awake craniotomies stems from deep specialization across the entire care team.

“Rather than someone who does surgery A one day, surgery B one day, we really have this deep level of specialization,” Dr. Dunn said. “Every time we do an awake craniotomy, it’s the result of adding to many, many repetitions. It’s what we are here to do.”

This specialization extends beyond the surgeons to include anesthesiologists, nurses, scrub technicians, and therapists, who all focus specifically on brain surgery cases.

“It’s the entire care continuum that is really critical,” Dr. Dunn said. “When patients are received by nurses and care team members, it’s incredibly comforting.”

Stephens, who has been part of the awake surgery team for over a decade, reflected on the honor of caring for patients during such critical moments.

“We have the privilege of holding our patients’ hands and guiding them through what is often the most difficult day of their lives,” she said. “Ryan truly is a remarkable person. He is kind, thoughtful, and a natural leader for both his family and his community. His strength and character were evident throughout the entire process, and it was an honor to stand by his side for both of these surgeries.”

While Ryan’s type of tumor has a propensity to recur, each surgery provides valuable information that helps guide future treatment decisions. Dr. Dunn noted that tumors can evolve over time, making tissue analysis from each procedure important for ongoing care.

Today, Ryan remains optimistic and active. He has made significant lifestyle changes by adopting a ketogenic diet and maintaining a rigorous exercise routine. Most importantly, he has found purpose in helping others facing similar diagnoses.

“I told Tressie I would do anything I can to help somebody that’s going through the same thing,” Ryan said. “Because back in the day, I didn’t have anyone. I had no one to rely on for hope, just the internet.”

Ryan’s journey illustrates not only the advanced surgical capabilities available at OU Health but also the comprehensive, patient-centered care that makes complex procedures like awake craniotomies possible. For patients facing brain tumor diagnoses, Ryan’s story offers both hope and proof that life can continue and thrive — even after multiple brain surgeries.

Learn more about specialized care and brain and spinal treatments at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center or call (405) 271-1632 for more information.