ANA Discussion Forum
Watch and Wait => For those in the 'watch and wait' status => Topic started by: Rivergirl on April 14, 2010, 04:57:31 pm
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MRI #4 showed 1mm growth with mild hearing loss this past year so Dr. McKenna says I can go another year. I guess I am happy I don't have to make a decision but not sure I can continue with the symptoms, the pressure is worse, the ringing worse, headaches everyday and nerve pain in the face but no treatment. Dr.McKenna was in surgery so I got a message from his resident telling me this, didn't get to tell him about my symptoms. So I continue until I can't continue and then I will call him. This is depressing whatever way you look at it, sorry for being so negative.
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Hi - Yes, this can certainly get you down especially if you are having symptoms. I have been a W&W patient for 8-1/2 years growing from about 9 mm to 14 mm and still they tell me to wait. Luckily my symptoms are manageable. The 1 mm increase I had was over a four-year period, and I was told that they had just upgraded their MRI and 1 to 2 mm is within the realm of "technical" difference and doesn't really count as growth. There was no pressure against the brain stem and no edema around the tumor.
Hang in there - try to keep busy. If your symptoms are impeding your life and daily activities, you should get back to Dr. McKenna. It's very rare to get to talk to the doctor. We've got the same situation with my husband's benign brain tumor and the Brigham although one doc there is great with e-mail and the other from Dana Farber (neuro-oncologist) actually calls us himself - once just to see how hubby was doing!!
Keep us posted,
Sheryl
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Hi,
Sorry about your news, maybe you could call him and talk with him personally or call me if you would like, I'm on the willing to call list. Don't worry about feeling down right now, it's OK!! My symptoms have gotten worse too so I know what you are talking about. It wears on us emotionally at times. Please hang in there and since you can 't make the luncheon, call me.
LisaP ;D
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Rivergirl + Lisa P! My AN is approx. .12X.06. Sounds like a mirror image of when I first started W+W. After about a 8 mos. I went into action with myself to find a healthy course of action. Within 6 months my symptoms diminished to nothing more than a minor annoince (occasionly). Everthing has been "stable" since, with next mri in AUG. Whatever you decide to do please do something while you W+W, it cant hurt. I am caller friendly also. I`l be at ANA New Jersey on the panel this Sunday. Best wishes, Mickey
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Hi Rivergiirl,
I can totally relate to how you are feeling. It's not negtative it's just an uncertain feeling. I am myself coming up to my one year MRI and dont' know whetner it grew or not and don't know what to do.
Alll symptoms still thre.
Vivian
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Thanks for the pep talk, need it sometimes. I decided I would walk it away, started to seriously walk this week plus need to shed a layer or two who knows maybe it is a piece of fat up there and if I loose weight it will shrink, think it is my only option.
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Hi Mickey,
I sent you a personal e-mail, please call me, it sounds like our AN are around the same size. My has been kicking my butt lately like Cindy's. Please call me, reading postings helps but talking to someone over the phone would be better for me.
Cindy,
Hang in there and call me too.
LisaP ;D