ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: foodsmarts on July 17, 2009, 05:00:08 pm

Title: Got a date - August 17
Post by: foodsmarts on July 17, 2009, 05:00:08 pm: Hi. I'm scheduled for CK with Dr. Chang week of August 17th. Hurray! Thanks everyone for posting so much information
which was extremely helpful in coming to a decision. Now I can't wait to get it over with.

Helen
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: CHD63 on July 17, 2009, 05:29:23 pm: Yeah, Helen .....

Glad you have your date ..... it is always a relief to me to have a target for things, then I can go about planning and getting ready.

Be sure to put it on the AN calendar (see the link on my signature). One of the moderators may put it on for you ......

Best wishes and keep us posted on how you are doing.

Clarice
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: foodsmarts on July 17, 2009, 06:12:31 pm: Thank you Clarice. I'll add my date to the calendar.

Helen
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: sharonov on July 17, 2009, 08:16:42 pm: Hooray! I think you made an excellent choice. It was going to be my choice too.
Sharon
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: ppearl214 on July 18, 2009, 05:00:50 am: Helen

congrats on completing the decision-making process! I'm sure you feel a huge weight off your shoulders now! You are in fab hands with Dr. Chang and will be cheering you on during your treatment.

Congrats!
Phyl
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: suboo73 on July 18, 2009, 09:32:40 pm: Hi Helen,

So glad to hear you have made your decision!
If i have a choice it would be the same.

Take care and best wishes for your treatment!
Please post your updates as you are able.
My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Sue
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: eab on July 26, 2009, 06:09:24 pm: Congrats on making a decision and setting a date... what a relief that can be. There is only good news about Dr. Chang on this site - I wish you lots of luck and one dead tumor with no side effects.

We'll be thinking of you!
Beth
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: Tumbleweed on July 27, 2009, 12:23:38 am: Helen, you've chosen a really great procedure and doctor. Dr. Chang was also my doctor and I hold him in the absolute highest regard. My CK treatment has been wildly successful and I now feel better than I have in the last 9 years. And the people at Stanford are wonderful -- empathetic and unusually competent and on top of things. You are in terrific hands.

Here is a link to some information that might help your treatments go easier for you: http://anausa.org/forum/index.php?topic=6910.0

Best wishes,
TW
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: Jim Scott on July 27, 2009, 03:07:49 pm: Helen ~

Congratulations on securing a date for your CK with Dr. Chang (at Stanford). I join many others in wishing you a successful treatment and a trouble-free recovery. :)

I've entered your CK date on the renowned 'AN Treatment Calender'. http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d17/08/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B (http://my.calendars.net/an_treatments/d17/08/2009?authenticate=&display=M&style=B)

Jim
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: bubbles on July 30, 2009, 03:21:37 pm: I too am scheduled for CK at Stanford, August 17,18,19. I am very scared. But positive I am doing the right treatment. :)
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: sgerrard on July 30, 2009, 07:50:17 pm: Hi bubbles,

Welcome to the forum. Nothing to be scared of getting CK at Stanford. It is a nice place, with good people, and it's an easy procedure to go through.

Back in 2007 we all discussed that you do have to take it easy during the week, and came up with fractionated margaritas as the solution. Ask Dr. Chang about them. ::)

Congratulations to Helen too.

Steve
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: Tumbleweed on July 30, 2009, 11:58:04 pm: Hi, Bubbles:

If it's any comfort to you, I was really scared going in to CK treatment, too, and looking back now it seems like an amazing blessing in my life. I feel better now than I did before getting treated, I'm no longer afraid that my tumor might grow, and aside from some additional hearing loss my body (but thankfully not the tumor!) seems to have completely recovered from the treatment.

I am confident you will look back on your CyberKnife treatment as a benchmark for improved health in your life.

Best wishes,
TW
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: bubbles on July 31, 2009, 05:48:43 pm: Quote from: foodsmarts on July 17, 2009, 05:00:08 pm
Hi. I'm scheduled for CK with Dr. Chang week of August 17th. Hurray! Thanks everyone for posting so much information
which was extremely helpful in coming to a decision. Now I can't wait to get it over with.

Helen
[/qI uote]

I also have a August 17th date at Stanford , but I noticed everyone speaks of Dr. Chang has anyone heard of Dr. Iris Gibbs, my doctor? I am really getting nervious because of not hearing good or bad .???
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: bubbles on July 31, 2009, 05:59:33 pm: Thank You. It has been a LONG year and a half. Mine has been a little more complicated because I was born deaf in my right ear, and now I have a 2.1 cm AN in my left. So to put it mildly am very concerned. I hope and pray they can save some of my hearing. :)
Wanda
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: sgerrard on July 31, 2009, 08:23:30 pm: Dr. Iris Gibbs is a radiation oncologist; Dr. Steven Chang is a neurosurgeon. I had them both; they are good. There are a couple of others there too, also good. :)

I can well understand wanting to save what hearing you have if you are already deaf on one side. I think you are taking the best shot there is. I will hope for success right along with you.

Steve
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: Tumbleweed on August 03, 2009, 08:58:28 pm: Wanda, my AN was also 2.1 cm and on my left side at the time of treatment (at Stanford, with doctors Chang and Gibbs). I've lost about 20 dB of hearing in my midrange frequencies since treatment, but that's all (low and high frequencies weren't affected). I agree with Steve that you are really placing your best bet. CK, as you know, offers the best chance for hearing preservation and Stanford doctors have the most experience with the procedure. So I am pretty darn confident that, as long as you still have pretty good hearing in your left ear, you will still have serviceable hearing long after CK treatment. You'll be in terrific hands.

You'll be in our prayers.

Best wishes,
TW
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: bubbles on August 04, 2009, 08:49:06 pm: Sunday I had a very bad relapes. My hearing took a big hit. They are saying form an infection from the oxygen tube (My heart rate went to 166 bpm) and my immune system being soooo low from having to take so much prednisone. I must say as hard as life has been on prednisone I am so thankful that once again my voice recognition is back to 95%, for that I am happy.I thank you for all of the encouragement that this forum has given because I can't count the days I have gotten on to ask questions and was sooo weak (don't know why hoping it is just from ALL the steroids) and finding I couldn't even type (unbelieveable). But one thing that did happen I went away feeling encouraged. Once again Thank you ALL.I can't wait till August 17th to start my treatments.
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: Tumbleweed on August 04, 2009, 10:11:27 pm: Less than 2 weeks to go, Wanda, and then you'll be on the road to healing. :)

Best wishes,
TW
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: ppearl214 on August 05, 2009, 08:57:06 am: wanda, sending you wellness wishes as well! CK and Stanford are great and cheering you on!

Phyl
Title: Re: Got a date - August 17
Post by: foodsmarts on August 05, 2009, 10:22:47 am: Hi. I missed the note about fractionated margaritas. Fabulous Rx. Now I've got even more to look forward to in Stanford!!

Helen