ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: rupert on February 08, 2010, 09:23:08 pm

Title: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: rupert on February 08, 2010, 09:23:08 pm: Hello everyone,

I know I have been posting a little bit lately, throwing out my opinions now and then but I haven't really mentioned my course of action.

I will be having GK at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center on Wed. I feel confident in their facility and their track record. If any of you remember some of my first posts, I was going to have surgery at the same facility. However once I found out I would be a good candidate for GK, I decided that was the way to go for me.

This forum is a wealth of information and has helped me a lot. I will be off the air so to speak for the next two days, but I will post back after I get home. I don't think it will be too eventful.

The hospital called today and said they were buried under two feet of snow and a lot of the city was immobilized. They actually asked me if I had a four wheel drive!
I told them I come from a place where we don't even blink about that amount and I will make it down with no problems. If everyone stays out of my way. LOL!

Bryan
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: sgerrard on February 09, 2010, 12:46:49 am: PMC is top of the line for GK. I would definitely be more worried about driving in 2 feet of snow than the actual treatment. ;D

Best wishes for a good GK day.

Steve
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: leapyrtwins on February 09, 2010, 07:02:58 am: Good luck, Bryan.

Looking forward to hearing about your experience :)

Jan
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: GRACE1 on February 09, 2010, 08:44:36 am: Best of luck to you!

Grace
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: GM on February 09, 2010, 03:14:51 pm: Best of luck with your GK treatment! 4WD's Rule!!
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: petgroomer on February 09, 2010, 03:20:01 pm: Best wishes on your treatment on Wednesday!
Rhonda
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: gordy on February 09, 2010, 06:35:09 pm: best wishes im sure it will go just great.
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: rupert on February 10, 2010, 04:36:42 pm: I'm allready home!

Can't believe it's over all ready.

He res a quick run down. First, anything involving Pittsburgh requires either up hill or down hill navigation. Then, they obviously have zero snow plow equipment. It reminded me of those amusement park cars that just ride around in a track ( rut ). No steering required.

I have to agree with Steve, UPMC is the place for GK. They have done over 10,000 procedures with 1400 being AN's . Dr. Kondziolka and all the staff were exceptional in every way.

As for the procedure. First it was a long day, starting at 4:00 AM from the hotel, but I was out of the hospital by 12:30 and because of the continued snow, got home at 4:30PM. The installation and removal of the guiding device were uneventful. I could feel it , but it did not hurt. I was in the GK unit area for an hour and a half. One hour was actual in the machine and the rest was to change out the inserts. I did not realize that they weighed almost 500lbs each. There was some bleeding after removal and some pain from the holes in my head , but two Tylenol fixed that. I did have some brief periods of nausea. One after the MRI and one after the device was removed. I have no answer for this except that I hadn't had anything to eat or drink for 24 hrs. I'm fine now, so that's what I will go with. I don't think it had anything to do with the procedure.

If anyone wants more in depth detail I would be happy to provide them about my experience. Bryan
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: GM on February 10, 2010, 05:06:47 pm: Congrats fellow "Zapper" Time to relax for today and then to get on with your life!!

Gary
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: rupert on February 10, 2010, 05:31:16 pm: I'd like to thank everyone for the good wishes, and yes I'm going to take a few days off. Not because I need to, but this thing has caused me enough stress. That ought to be worth a few days!
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: Vivian B. on February 10, 2010, 09:40:08 pm: I caught this thread a liittle late, but I see that your treatment is over. That's great. You definitely deserve a few days off. Wishing you a good recovery.

Vivian
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: Tumbleweed on February 10, 2010, 10:45:32 pm: I, too, just now noticed this thread. Congratulations, Bryan, on becoming a "toasty postie"!

You can't beat UPMC for GK. You chose the cadillac of medical facilities and doctors for your treatment. Congrats on doing your research so well and choosing the best for your care.

It sounds like you've got a very positive, can-do attitude. You should make it through the recovery phase with flying colors, even if there is a small bump or two in the road ahead. Who knows, it might be smooth sailing from here. We'll all be rooting for you.

Best wishes,
TW
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: ppearl214 on February 11, 2010, 06:43:29 am: Bryan,

congrats on being a "toastie Postie!" :) Well done! Sending wellness wishes your way as its starts to do its thang! Enjoy your time off!

Congrats!
Phyl
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: GRACE1 on February 11, 2010, 09:20:16 am: Congratulations!!

Grace
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: Jim Scott on February 11, 2010, 02:49:15 pm: Brian ~

It appears as if you had a very positive (i.e. complication-free) GK experience and are doing well. I'm always pleased to see this kind of report and of course, I wish you continued success as you recover. Thanks for posting.

Jim
Title: Re: GK on 2/10/10
Post by: suboo73 on February 11, 2010, 04:07:34 pm: Hi Brian,

Sorry i missed this thread earlier...

CONGRATS on your treatment! Enjoy some time off and you will be back in your routine before you know it.

Take care.
Sincerely,
Sue