ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: Jeepers on May 21, 2009, 03:09:09 pm
-
Most major decisions in our lives are somehow based on this, right? RE: ANs, we do research, talk to doctors and [online]friends in similar dire straits and start formulating a gut feeling about which way we will probably go. Options for treatment, statistics, and pt. individuality are pretty much all over the place, and once we become aware of them, it basically comes down to what our gut is telling us to do.
I sit here and read through radiation threads. I read about surgery. A questions arises and I bounce over to balance issues. When real fear strikes, I start picking apart the facial paralysis threads.
I bring this up because when I was diagnosed 6 yrs ago, I met with two different AN surgeons in the area. One was set against radiation, but I had/have a great deal of respect for his reputation and talent. The other also suggested surgery, but did not totally discount radiation as an option. At that time, I did not see any radiologists to discuss their procedures. Both surgeons agreed wait and see was a very reasonable choice for me and that's just what I did, with absolutely no regret.
So here I am, with a new MRI showing growth and my neurotologist recommending action - either surgery or radiation. He has, in the past 6 yrs, started doing GK himself, in addition to surgery.
Even though I chose to wait and see, as soon as I heard the tumor was growing and a choice had to be made, my gut was telling me "surgery". Each day I awaken from a previous day of research, I wake a bit more confident that that is the route for *me* to take. Don't get me wrong .... I'm scared. But I try to put that out of my mind, as if to forestall anthing bad happening. Stay positive ... and get scared all over again.
Although I find strange comfort with this gut feeling, I'm also somewhat puzzled by the fact that I ... someone who researches and picks apart all types of alternatives in life ... have not taken the initiative, or actually don't really have the desire, to talk to the radiation folks. Perhaps I don't believe they will change my mind. Perhaps I'm afraid they will throw my resolve out the window and make this an unbearable decision to make.
Have any of you just automatically gravitated to one option over the other? My guess is everyone probably saw a surgeon about their AN first and surgery either immediately and understandably scared the carp out of them, then proceeded to radiology docs, who allayed their fears and *set* their gut feeling. I'm sure most surg peeps probably did follow through with a radiology consult (yes?), but went back to surgery because their reality ... their "gut" feeling was that option.
I'm curious how and at what point in your research did your gut feeling kick in ... and, importantly, did it ever change once it did?
Thanks, folks :)
-
I knew in my soul of souls which direction I wanted to take once I began my research (like you, my drs told me it was growing and best to act on it sooner than later). My gut.... my female intuition... whatever you want to call it... was my guide in trying to make the best decision I could. In my case... I knew I self-educated as best as I could.. and even during my research process... my gut kept leaning one way.... I continued my research processes.... and my gut was still insistant on what it wanted to do. When it all came down to it... I sat, with a Pros/Con's list, in black and white... sitting in front of me.. staring back at me... and my gut was talking loud. I listened... and in my personal case... it paid off.
Do what you feel is best for you... your situation... and listen to your gut... it may or may not be wrong, but it always looks out for you.
Hang in there.
Phyl
-
I have felt the same way and have concluded that even if your gut is clear and right, it doesn't mean you won't have moments of fear or doubt that make you say THIS IS CRAZY!, whichever you choose.
We have to set a course of action based on the weight of evidence and then not let whim knock us off course. Your gut may have guided you one way, but it doesn't put blinders on you, either. And the consequences of this particular decision are SO serious, it's natural for other ideas to still bubble up.
Your gut doesn't mean your passing whims -- it means the internal stew of research, instinct and all the individual factors that guide us one way.
When I read about DLM4Me's post-surgical problems, :-[ WHAM! I thought I was crazy for having surgery. When I heard of Alicia's pain ???, WHAM! again: What am I, nuts...?
But then I realize I can't walk a block without feeling like I'm on very wobbly rubber... and I know I have to take the one chance at putting this behind me. (In my case, radiation was not recommended; it's either try to live with it and stall treatment as long as psosible; or just do it -- so I ultimately didn't have the same "choice" to make anyway. But there are days I try to convince myself I'm not so bad, I can function, so why not wait...)
-
The Wait and Watch for me would have been agonizing ...... I wanted that thing out of my head ....... but that was my gut. At the original appointment when I learned the diagnosis, I was in such a state of shock, I could not even think of good questions to ask. My ENT suggested checking out all of the possibilities and set me up with three different appointments (my 2 cm AN was borderline for radiation), one with a neurosurgeon and two with possibilities for Gamma Knife/radiation. Like you, I stayed glued to the Internet for research on the choices/outcomes, etc. I also checked with all of my medical family members and friends for advice. As it turned out my first appointment was with the neurosurgeon. After comparing the current MRI with one done just the year before, and finding no evidence of the AN the year before and a 2 cm AN one year later ..... it was rather obvious that I had an unusually rapidly growing AN. Putting his advice, my research, my medical friends' advice, and my own gut feeling all together, it really was a no brainer for me and I cancelled the two appointments regarding radiation possibilities. My retrosigmoid surgery was 10 days later and I do not regret my decision for one minute. I had 80% hearing left in the AN side prior to surgery, 20% since (now very functional with the use of a hearing aid).
As many of us have said, agonizing over the decision is the hard part. In my opinion, you have done your homework, now follow your gut!
Good luck and keep us posted!
Clarice
-
Thanks for your post, Phyl ... I'm glad to hear a similar scenario from a radiation gut feeling. What you describe is hitting very close to home.
And, thank you, Lilan!! I see you're nearing your trip to House. I hope you're finding an effective way to distract yourself in the next few weeks. I like your interpretation of a gut feeling - but I will admit I'll be checking out DLM4Me's (sp?) post-surg post ;D I found one of her pre-surg and she seemed to be very frazzled by past situations and the upcoming AN surgery. I hope she was able to calm down and accept her decision ... I will check.
It suits me so much better to think on the positive side of this. Every so often there's that little voice in the back of my head whispering, "What if things are never the same?" ... It's a voice I'm mostly ignoring. I always think of cancer and how much worse it could be ... or I think of some young mom or dad or a child ... and know in my gut that this will not become an impossible cross to bear.
-
The Wait and Watch for me would have been agonizing ...... I wanted that thing out of my head ....... but that was my gut. At the original appointment when I learned the diagnosis, I was in such a state of shock, I could not even think of good questions to ask. My ENT suggested checking out all of the possibilities and set me up with three different appointments (my 2 cm AN was borderline for radiation), one with a neurosurgeon and two with possibilities for Gamma Knife/radiation. Like you, I stayed glued to the Internet for research on the choices/outcomes, etc. I also checked with all of my medical family members and friends for advice. As it turned out my first appointment was with the neurosurgeon. After comparing the current MRI with one done just the year before, and finding no evidence of the AN the year before and a 2 cm AN one year later ..... it was rather obvious that I had an unusually rapidly growing AN. Putting his advice, my research, my medical friends' advice, and my own gut feeling all together, it really was a no brainer for me and I cancelled the two appointments regarding radiation possibilities. My retrosigmoid surgery was 10 days later and I do not regret my decision for one minute. I had 80% hearing left in the AN side prior to surgery, 20% since (now very functional with the use of a hearing aid).
As many of us have said, agonizing over the decision is the hard part. In my opinion, you have done your homework, now follow your gut!
Good luck and keep us posted!
Clarice
WOW, Clarice! I can understand your panic ... 2cm in a year's time!! I'd have been in surgery quickly too!
I was 1 cm when diagnosed and both surgeons independently agreed waiting was fine. I figured I'd just take it yr by yr and it bought me 6+ additional years of hearing. Now my hearing is so bad and so annoying that I'd almost welcome the loss on that side (I hope that doesn't sound terrible). I am concerned about my balance though. Thanks for posting and thanks for your good wishes! :)
-
Jeepers, glad to help.
Now, I really REALLY had to dig for this (granted, I've had a few posts here and there)... so, if you are bored... some bathroom reading material
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=847.msg6234#msg6234
You can see how I challenged my gut... and how it lead me to my decision. May be worth a peek. It's a long one... pour your fave beverage when you go to read it.
Phyl
-
I think the same thing, and said so last year:
"For many people, the choice between radiation and surgery comes from the gut....If you fall into one of those camps, and I think most people secretly do, then you will end up deciding accordingly. I think that happened to me, and to others I have talked to, and I think it is just fine. It is essential that you believe in your treatment plan, and your doctors. Don't beat yourself up over it; just go with your instincts."
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=3929.msg64193#msg64193
Steve
-
Wow, Phyl ... 14 pages!! I'm gonna have to pace myself ;D
It looks like an interesting read - right up my alley. Thanks for the link!
-
I think the same thing, and said so last year:
"For many people, the choice between radiation and surgery comes from the gut....If you fall into one of those camps, and I think most people secretly do, then you will end up deciding accordingly. I think that happened to me, and to others I have talked to, and I think it is just fine. It is essential that you believe in your treatment plan, and your doctors. Don't beat yourself up over it; just go with your instincts."
http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=3929.msg64193#msg64193
Steve
Hey, Steve ... thanks for that post, too. An excellent chronology!
I did have to chuckle at bit, though at: "I leave thinking it will be a small operation, perhaps as an outpatient in the office, and go to see the ENT."
;D
-
I totally believe in the "gut feeling" theory. I really didn't have much of a choice between radiation and surgery, though one doctor I met with would have done GK. My gut also told me "surgery". Turned out the tumor had wrapped itself around a bundle of nerves (hearing, facial, trigeminal, and balance) and radiation would have done some serious damage. I had a very good outcome with surgery considering the size of my tumor. Good luck. Best wishes, Marci
-
Thanks, Marci! :)
-
I took the reasoned, logical, do the research, compare pros and cons, read all available data/statistics approach the 1st time around and it turned out to be the wrong decision (for me). My gut is saying get the damn thing cut out of there this time. Of course I have a much better educated gut this time around so it may just be all that info has had some time to ferment and the decision comes quicker.
-
I sit here and read through radiation threads. I read about surgery. A questions arises and I bounce over to balance issues. When real fear strikes, I start picking apart the facial paralysis threads.
I bring this up because when I was diagnosed 6 yrs ago, I met with two different AN surgeons in the area. One was set against radiation, but I had/have a great deal of respect for his reputation and talent. The other also suggested surgery, but did not totally discount radiation as an option. At that time, I did not see any radiologists to discuss their procedures. Both surgeons agreed wait and see was a very reasonable choice for me and that's just what I did, with absolutely no regret.
So here I am, with a new MRI showing growth and my neurotologist recommending action - either surgery or radiation. He has, in the past 6 yrs, started doing GK himself, in addition to surgery.
I can identify with your entire post and have so much too say that I will try to keep it short: But oftentimes my "Pay it Forward" attitude keeps me writing and writing.
You bring up an interesting point and one that we often put to the side relative to rec's by doctors. Even if a doctor recommends or discusses both radiation or surgery, they have a preference. Why? because if they have invested time and resources into a treatment, they are going to recommend it. So your doctor who is now doing GK in addition to surgery will of course now recommend radiation. He has made a financial committment. Even when a doc "recommends" both, through his/her actions, tone, facial expressions or amount of what they say or lack of what they say...it becomes apparent that they lean toward a preferred course of treatment. And I hate to bring up the elephant in the room...both sides use the "fears" of the other treatment...For example, surgeons use "long term effects of radiation" and radiation treatment folks use facial nerve.
My fact finding pointed toward this: doctors have a preferred type surgery or two (all do translab and then they tend to prefer retrosigmoid or middle fossa) or a preferred type of radiation treatment. All have their own ways of justifying their treatment. But when the lights go out, they are in their own homes and each of us is in ours. It is often discussed about how a doctor defines "successful" outcome...It may or may not match our best hopes as patients.
I will continue with my reaction to gut in the next post:-) Trying to keep it short!
Kate
-
Wow, Phyl ... 14 pages!! I'm gonna have to pace myself ;D
It looks like an interesting read - right up my alley. Thanks for the link!
it was my journey... same issues as you... the discussion of "going with the gut".. and you can see how many asked me about "what is your gut telling you?". So, yes, a very long read but..... great suggestions given to me by many, some that are still participating on the site.... :)
Phyl
-
Most major decisions in our lives are somehow based on this, right? So here I am, with a new MRI showing growth and my neurotologist recommending action - either surgery or radiation. He has, in the past 6 yrs, started doing GK himself, in addition to surgery.
I'm curious how and at what point in your research did your gut feeling kick in ... and, importantly, did it ever change once it did?
Oh my yes! I often decribed it as "kelp" in the ocean. Without getting into a semantic debate over gut or not gut, the reality is that ultimately it is our body and we must make the best decision with the information we have at hand. How lucky people are to be technologically savvy enough ( I say that because the typical age is middle age at diagnosis. We are all digital immigrants not digital natives like those young uns out there).
I learned about facilities and treatment types more from folks on this forum (or listserv) that I would have not known otherwise.
Our tumor size, location and our age are going to be part of the decision making process. Some by nature of the size of his/her tumor are limited in choice.
I have never met anyone who didn't want to be the same after a treatment as they were before a treatment. I looked at patterns in the posts and I read about outcomes relative to treatment when coupled with size of tumor, and I asked the doctor "how many of this surgery he had done" and "how many of that they had done" and his/her statistics relative to hearing and facial nerve.
When I first learned of my acoustic I was referred to an ENT. I thought with certainty that I would go to a research hospital in Chicago.That lead me to a doctor who although did not do treatment himself had trained under a doctor who did. I also asked around and learned of a renown neurologist at a well known hospital and was featured as one of Chicago's best docs... However, I learned that it was not he who was known for AN's, it was another colleague at Loyola. When I contacted this organization, I learned about Mary (she was a godsend) who was my WTT person and she gave me names of the two most used doctors in Illinois. I consulted with both of them. I learned about House and sent my MRI's and report there. All in all, I consulted with multiple surgeons.
I did make contact through email with a GK doctor out of UPMC and and sent my MRI's to a FSR doctor (Cyberknife was just coming on the scene in 2001). I ended up making contact with both radiation and surgery treatments. I learned something from each one.
Here were a few of the patterns I found: (through my consultations and research experience)
1. It is documented that in surgery the shorter one can be under, the better. I found in my research that House Ear Institute's surgery time was almost half of what other institution surgery times were meaning you were "under" for a shorter period of time. Typically, they are between 4 and 5 hours. There is a thread about this now in this forum.
2. Just because a doctor tells you there is a high rate of hearing preservation, ask for his stats and ask around. Although the doctors I visited in my own area discussed the retrosigmoid surgery as "hearing preservation" ( I had 100% prior to surgery), in all the folks I met, not one in Chicago had their hearing preserved with retrosigmoid (not to say I met them all:-) (and I know there are examples in this forum of some who did). Yet each of those folks went in hoping to preserve hearing. I also went to an eye doctor used by the folks I use in Chicago and he said I was a surprise as the patients that come to him after AN surgery did not keep any hearing.
3. Regarding side effects: It seemed that the most longterm "headaches" (after the healing process) came from those with retrosigmoid and I found research to confirm that. (~10%)
4. Radiation doctors state that it is no more complicated to have surgery after radiation then it is before and surgeons ABSOLUTELY disagree because the area when radiated is "burned". I asked the House Surgeons and they explained why it was more difficult.
5. Work with your insurance company to try to go to the facility of your choice. In my case, the insurance company assigned a case manager and after contacting House, House agreed to be an "in network" provider even though they were in California and I was in Illinois.
6. Regarding radiation: Gamma Knife has the most history and research behind it.
7. Surgery effects were known typically within six months while radiation effects are often not known until 2 years later.
8. All doctors have their prophets depending on individual outcomes...look at the statistics relative to all of their patients.
9. There are times that no matter how thorough we are, unanticipated consequences happen.
10. The time to question yourself is prior to making a decision...Once you make a decision with the best information at hand, don't look back and second guess yourself...
11. Sometimes "fear" relative to one treatment is used by others as the "reason" to have the other type of treatment.
12. One size does not fit all.
13. Until your tumor is treated, you won't know your outcome...no matter how much you read.
In the end, I tried to match the patterns with the tumor and my best hopes: facial nerve preservation and usable hearing (and in that order). I also looked at the patterns with residual side effects. So mine was a combination of research for information and patterns and then matching it to my best hopes.
I have also started a thread about the decision making process to help bring clarity about what is important to each person. I called it "One Size Does Not Fit All." http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=9601.0
All the best to each of your trying to figure out your own path.
Kate
-
Kate, you know I love you dearly but I have to respectfully disagree with some of your points.
1. I have spoken to quite a few from these forums that have, after the fact, regret micro-surgical decisions that they have made (some even treated at House Ear/HEI)... basically, "if I knew then what I experience now, I never would have chose the surgery I had". In respect to the "confidentiality" requests they have made to me, I cannot elaborate more but on occassion, it has been posted in the forums as well. Will see if any of them step up to the plate on this as they are still active participants on the forums.
2. Your point #4.... I know of many radio-docs that are not noting that it is not of issue to remove a previously radiated AN....... most are noting, up front, when discussing "risks" in the "decision making process" that clearly note it. I also believe the drs on the CK Patient Support board noted it as well. Will have to dig up the threads on it.
3. Re: GK... you are absolutely correct in that it has been around the longest (over 40 yrs, since mid-1960's) but one should not discount other radio options (regardless if CK, Trilogy, etc) as times change, technologies change and with the wonders of medical advances, with supporting data behind it (yes, not as long as GK, but when results are noted... as well as first-hand patient accounts of successes and non-successes), one should not discount other options, even if it hasn't been around as long. Heck, Captn Deb had a surgical procedure this week that was done arthroscopically that for years, has been done with major incision and lengthy recuperation period... yet, she was home 24 hrs later and on the mend quicker. We can't discount how medical advances have been made.
Other than that, I agree with what you have shared for the most part... and as always, truly appreciate what you share... :)
Phyl
-
Kate, you know I love you dearly but I have to respectfully disagree with some of your points.
1. I have spoken to quite a few from these forums that have, after the fact, regret micro-surgical decisions that they have made (some even treated at House Ear/HEI)... basically, "if I knew then what I experience now, I never would have chose the surgery I had". In respect to the "confidentiality" requests they have made to me, I cannot elaborate more but on occassion, it has been posted in the forums as well. Will see if any of them step up to the plate on this as they are still active participants on the forums.
2. Your point #4.... I know of many radio-docs that are not noting that it is not of issue to remove a previously radiated AN....... most are noting, up front, when discussing "risks" in the "decision making process" that clearly note it. I also believe the drs on the CK Patient Support board noted it as well. Will have to dig up the threads on it.
3. Re: GK... you are absolutely correct in that it has been around the longest (over 40 yrs, since mid-1960's) but one should not discount other radio options (regardless if CK, Trilogy, etc) as times change, technologies change and with the wonders of medical advances, with supporting data behind it (yes, not as long as GK, but when results are noted... as well as first-hand patient accounts of successes and non-successes), one should not discount other options, even if it hasn't been around as long. Heck, Captn Deb had a surgical procedure this week that was done arthroscopically that for years, has been done with major incision and lengthy recuperation period... yet, she was home 24 hrs later and on the mend quicker. We can't discount how medical advances have been made.
Other than that, I agree with what you have shared for the most part... and as always, truly appreciate what you share... :)
Phyl
Phyl,
I am thankful for disagreement..it always results in clarification and opportunity for dialogue for newbies to follow.
#1: I agree and it matches #13 in my baker's dozen. "Until your tumor is treated, you won't know your outcome...no matter how much you read."
#2: I am glad that has changed.
#3: Agreed...
Mutual Admiration Society Member,
Kate
-
Mutual Admiration Society Member,
Kate
luffs ya back :) :-*
Phyl
-
I think we may be stepping on many people's toes here by defending positions, etc. Perhaps for those still in Wait and Watch and/or in the throes of treatment decision options, it would be best to say that every human body is different. Therefore no matter which treatment(s??) is selected, no matter which physician/surgeon does it, no matter which hospital, etc. etc. we really cannot say for certainty what the final outcome will be. Ultimately one must arrive at the best decision for that person's situation, hopefully based on research, and then be at peace with it.
We need to be careful here with stating statistics, etc. because as everyone well knows statistics can be twisted any way someone wants to make a point in their direction/favor. Also, many of us have defied the so-called stats and had much better outcomes than predicted.
Sorry. Just had to get that off my chest. :-[ Clarice
-
Well, to get back to the "gut" thing, I definitely had a gut feeling fairly soon after doing just a minimal amount of research - it stayed with me after doing much research and after consulting with numerous doctors. There is NO way to know, in advance, exactly how your situation will turn out...irregardless of treatment type, doctor skill, etc. I think you have to pick your method and your doctor and then just completely have faith in yourself that you've chosen as well as you possibly can, given the circumstances. Beyond the extreme case, most folks that have trouble post-treatment (radiation or surgery), really have little, if any way of knowing whether they are having trouble based on the treatment type, doctor choice, or just the nature of the beast that is an acoustic neuroma...This is what makes our decision so tough - we can not base our decison on the outcomes of others as their is now way to duplicate the situations of others. Surgeons - oh, I'll stop, I'm beginning to ramble...this probably is not worded very well - wish I had Steve's and Jim's gift of conveying their thoughts well :)
Cindy
-
How people react after a health treatment varies with any type of health condition or treatment. I saw this a great deal in working as a nurse for many years. How things may turn out at the end is not always how you think it will be. What ones personality is like plays a part of this and there are some who are not happy not matter how they have been treated or sometimes lucky to be in as good a shape as they are. Some are happy even when things maybe could have been done better or with another dr. Sometimes people do not really understand that they have a significant medical problem and you may not ever be "normal" again but will have some adjustments of life. There is not always perfect treatment of many conditions.
We are all different. Drs are all different too. No good answer to all of this.
Cheryl R
-
How people react after a health treatment varies with any type of health condition or treatment. I saw this a great deal in working as a nurse for many years. How things may turn out at the end is not always how you think it will be. What ones personality is like plays a part of this and there are some who are not happy not matter how they have been treated or sometimes lucky to be in as good a shape as they are. Some are happy even when things maybe could have been done better or with another dr. Sometimes people do not really understand that they have a significant medical problem and you may not ever be "normal" again but will have some adjustments of life. There is not always perfect treatment of many conditions.
We are all different. Drs are all different too. No good answer to all of this.
Cheryl R
Cheryl... agreed... there truly is no good answer.
To me, whether right or wrong.... re: the gut reaction.... the question then becomes "how do you respond to the gut?" We can only hope that everyone does extensive research. We can only hope that folks talk to others that walk the shoes. To me, regardless if the gut is responding to decision making process for anything in life (ie: medical treatments, career changes... heck, even marriage proposals......)... how should one respond to the gut? Do we listen? Do we not?
Heck, no clue.
Phyl
-
it turned out to be the wrong decision (for me)
There is a difference between the wrong decision and a good decision that nevertheless turns out poorly. I think Bob made a good decision at the time, but all of us have to accept the fact that the best decision is not a guarantee of a good outcome. For radiation, there is a chance that it will not control growth; for surgery, there is a chance of long term facial paralysis. The risk is there no matter which doctor, facility, or procedure you choose.
For many of us, this is the first time in our lives that we have to make a major decision for ourselves, and have no option available that guarantees a good outcome. We can only choose what seems best, and hope we are not unlucky.
Steve
-
There is a difference between the wrong decision and a good decision that nevertheless turns out poorly.
Nicely put and an important point.
-
One size does not fit all.
agreed.. "individual results may vary....." :)
Yes, topic is use of the "gut reaction" in the decision making process.
-
Thanks for all of your responses!!
Kate - for taking the time to post such valuable information that is mimicing much of what I'm going thru right now.
Cindy - you actually hit the nail on the head when you point out how difficult it is to base a decision on research when so much is subject to the variety of patients and situations
Steve - for pointing out what may, in fact, be the ultimate bottom line ... "luck" :)
All of you make great points and I appreciate hearing all your stories.
I've returned from my meeting with the neurosurgeon who operates with the neurotologist. It was a good meeting. I had already heard he had a wonderful reputation. I have to admit though that I preferred the appt with my neurotologist - he does both micro and radiosurg and does not push either one. Even 6 yrs back when he was not doing GK, when asked about radiation, he said it was certainly an option and provided referrals.
It's sometimes very obvious that some specialists mention certain statistics in order to sway your opinion. Do I resent it? Sometimes ... yes. On the other hand, I think ... here's someone who is (in my case) an exceptional surgeon. There's really nothing a surgeon or radiologist knows about ANs that they AREN'T telling us. The whole shebang is a clustermuck of information, many times with no right or wrong answer ... again, just luck. They don't know what's in your head and what it's wrapped around or stuck to. So they just follow their specialty and (to put it kind of indelicately) try to make the sale. They are trying to help us make a decision because at some point or another, something one of them says is going to hit us in ... you got it ... the "gut".
When all is said and done, as Steve points out, both procedures involve risk. We choose one or the other based on the chances we feel comfortable taking.
Aaaaaaaaaargh!! :(
-
We choose one or the other based on the chances we feel comfortable taking.
hey Jeepers,
glad your appt went well and you hit a lot directly on the head... so, based on your last comment.... what is your gut telling you?
Phyl
-
We choose one or the other based on the chances we feel comfortable taking.
hey Jeepers,
glad your appt went well and you hit a lot directly on the head... so, based on your last comment.... what is your gut telling you?
Phyl
HAH! Thanks, Phyl ... see my new post ... "A quick question ..."
I think a Friday evening cocktail might be in order tonight! ;D
-
We choose one or the other based on the chances we feel comfortable taking.
hey Jeepers,
glad your appt went well and you hit a lot directly on the head... so, based on your last comment.... what is your gut telling you?
Phyl
HAH! Thanks, Phyl ... see my new post ... "A quick question ..."
I think a Friday evening cocktail might be in order tonight! ;D
saw the new post.. and I agree... :)
-
I went with my gut feeling during my entire AN journey.
It all started the day I met my neurotologist. After talking to him, my gut told me that I didn't need to look any farther or consult with anyone else.
I liked him, I knew he had the experience and could do the job, he was honest with me on all accounts (even insisted on giving me all the brutal statistics no matter how small of all the possible side-effects I faced in each treatment option - even though this scared the hell out of me), and I just knew he was the guy for me. He also respected me and refused to make a decision for me - because as he rightly stated, I had options and it was my choice, not his.
My next gut feeling related to my treatment decision. I knew I didn't have the personality-type that is conducive to radiaton - I'm a control freak and want results ASAP; I don't like to wait - so my gut told me that surgery was my best bet. I would know pretty fast what I'd be dealing with after my treatment and I'd go from there.
Once I made the date for the surgery, met with the neurosurgeon, and organized everything in my life (job, kids, etc) so it would go smoothly during my recovery, I never looked back or questioned my decision. I had a strange feeling of calm - even in the holding area waiting to go into the OR.
I was confident I made the best choice for me based on my particular circumstances. Second guessing yourself is counterproductive.
So my best advice is educate yourself, find a doctor (or doctors) that you have faith, trust, and confidence in, make your decision and just let go. Don't look back.
Jan
-
Thanks, Jan. I really appreciate all the first-hand accounts.
See my post in the "Quick question" thread ... I expect to be making "the call" sometime next week. Making it scares me, but I have to do it. And like you say, from there, just chill.
I sure don't guarantee calm in the OR waiting area, but I'm pretty sure they've got some relaxing meds to keep me on the gurney :D
-
I remember that call well. Probably really surprised Dr. Battista, since I had just told him about a week prior that there was "no way" I could have surgery ::)
I think part of my calmness in the waiting area had to do with the fact that I had decided the AN had to come out - and I knew that surgery was the only way that was going to happen. Sometimes being a very black & white type personality has it's advantages ;)
But, rest assured, the medical personnel will have lots of tricks in their bag for relaxing you, should you require it. As we always say, patients are lucky from the perspective that they get to sleep through the surgery. Starting the necessary meds a little early is just another perk :D
-
When I learned of my AN I made researching AN my second job. After researching and consultations with both Radiosurgery and neurogery I decided to watch and wait. Like you my darn tumor would not rest and continued to grow. I was told I needed to make a decision within 90 days. I researched again like crazy and had about 6 consultations with neurogery, GK and CK. Originally I said was not letting anyone open my head. Well after all said and done it finally came to me. Surgery was the way to go. It was this GUT feeling.
I have learned through the years that everytime I sway againt my GUT feeling I am disappointed and learn my GUT wsa the right answer. This big of a decision I knew I had to go with my GUT. As soon as I had the GUT feeling there was no turning back and a peace with my decision. I can say I am doing remarkable 3 months out from surgery and I thank GOD and my angles, which I believe gave me my answer.
Good luck with making your decision and do not discount your GUT.