ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: eab on July 06, 2009, 10:27:32 pm
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Well it’s done. My head has officially been cooked and I’m on the road to recovery. It was quite an experience, with the frame on I felt a little bit like Darth Vader. I arrived at Hoag at 6:10a and was out by 10:10a. As is typical, they put and IV in me, went through all the paperwork, the anesthesiologist knocked me out, they put on the frame and I was good to go. I will say that more than once during the day I did think that the CK folks really did have the right idea by avoiding the pins, but once it was off and I was up and moving I felt fine again. After the very noisy but very short MRI (about 14 minutes) they planned out the attack and then off to the Gamma Knife. I brought a CD of favorite tunes that helped distract me as they did 14 "shots" over 40 minutes. Dr. Duma was so impressive as a dedicated, thorough doctor with compassion and a great bedside manner. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is still considering all of their options or to anyone on the west coast who is interested in the gamma knife.
Now that I am home I have a heavy head – like I’m wearing a steel baseball cap and I’m tired but other than that I’m feeling good. Ice packs, Tylenol and movies are on the agenda for today and tomorrow.
Thanks again to all who had kind words, posts and PMs - much appreciated. It really does make a difference to have a whole cheering squad behind me as I continue on this journey. I do feel like I've now just begun the longer, hopefully less intense, part of this course. So here's to a dying tumor and limited or no side effects. And to all of you who have a date, it is glorious to be on the other side. Hang in there!
Beth
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Congratulations, Beth. I'm sure the head clamp effect will wear off in a few days. If you are like most radiation patients, you will feel so back to normal soon that you will wonder if they really did anything. Then in a few months you will get some sort of swelling effect, just to reassure you that they really did zap it. It is all part of the fun of radiation treatment. Hopefully it will be something mild.
Meanwhile, best wishes, and enjoy your summer! 8)
Steve
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Beth -
glad to hear things went well.
Thanks for the update,
Jan
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Hi Beth,
I bet you're happy to have this behind you. Take it easy, and you should feel better tomorrow. I found that alternating heat and ice helped the best on those sore spots.
:)
Lisa
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Hi Beth,
Congratulations on being on the other side of this journey. Wishing you all the best on your recovery.
Vivian
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Great news! I am sure you will do as well as I did after GK. Keep us updated.
Grace
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Hi, Beth ~
I appreciated your account of the Gamma Knife treatment. Thanks for letting us know how it went - which appears to be 'quite well'. :) Definitely relax and 'chill out' for a few days. We're happy to be your cheering section and hope we can cheer you right on through a rapid recovery and a dead AN!
Jim
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Hi Beth,
Congratulations, and continued good thoughts for successful results as time moves along.
We hope you enjoy the movies you've picked out, and that you are able to rest comfortably.
Hope you feel better,
Rich & Scarlett
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Congrats Beth!!! Take it easy for awhile and remember to take power naps when needed.
Take care,
Sandra
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Beth,
shame on me for being late here, but congrats for being a "toastie postie!"...... pls keep us updated as to how you are doing and I'm cheering you on!
Well done!
Phyl