ANA Discussion Forum
Post-Treatment => Post-Treatment => Topic started by: HisHands on December 01, 2011, 10:39:36 pm
-
??? I'm new to this site as of today. I live in Mississippi and found out a few weeks ago that I have 2cm AN on left side attached to facial nerve. Only symptons were occasional involuntary facial twitches & tinnitus. Just had first appointment yesterday in Jackson with Dr. House who received special certification from House Ear Institute in CA (no relationship with House Institute; just same name). I'm scheduled for GK in a few weeks on a Friday. I'm learning so much from this site, but it was a God-send to find Jackson, MS experience; I've been so worried. I just don't know what to expect, but I'm so thankful to have found this site; I still have sooo many questions. To all reading this post: I may still be optimistic, but is it wishful thinking that I can have GK on a Friday and return to work the following Monday? (I have more of a desk job in a private office that will allow me to rest if necessary). Emma
-
Hello and welcome to this forum!
I had GK treatment on a Monday and I went to my first meeting at work on the Thursday. Same thing for a gentleman who had GK on the same day as me although he has a very physically demanding job. You may feel a bit tired but I honestly think it isn't going to be a problem for you specially if you work in an environment where you can take a few minutes now and again to sit back and have some time to yourself
Best of luck!
Joey
-
Thank you so much for your reply; it has given me peace of mind. I'm not telling anyone at work other than an assistant. I'm hoping that even six months out that side effects will be minimum. Still very optimistic all will be well. Thanks again and I look forward to learning more on this forum.
-
hi there - sorry to hear about your tumour, and hope your gk goes smoothly.
without wanting to be unecessarily gloomy but wanting to give you as much info as possible - although many people do go directly back to work - it is highly variable how our bodies respond.
i happened not to be at work when i had my radiosurgery, and would not have been up to returning for at least a couple of weeks. i was acutely wobbly, needing to hold on to walk, very tired needing to lie down after minor exertion, and even if i had not told anyone they would have been able to see something had happened as one side of my face was swollen from the pins and my eyebrows were paralysed! i also had a lot of headache for some weeks. i did not appreciate how affected i might be so it was a bit of a shock to find myself so incapacitated. those symptoms settled largely by 2 weeks when i went on a cottage holiday but i was still quite fatigued at that point and spent a lot of time reading while my family explored.
i subsequently developed tumour swelling and lots of symptoms came along with that - but that is something most people do escape.
best wishes,
vikki
-
This is to Emma~ I had GK on Thursday Dec. 1st. I took off Friday and the weekend. I returned to work on Monday. I just rested the weekend and took it easy, but no real issues other than a headache. Good Luck!! ::)
-
Vikki, I do appreciate the sharing of your experience. My primary concern is probably the same as everyone's.....Fear of the unknown. Although I'm in good physical shape, I don't know how my body will respond to the treatment. My faith in God is helping to calm the "Fear-of-the-unknown" when it creeps into my mind and makes me worry. I still haven't made this issue known at work and hearing about your experience just confirms that I need to continue building up my faith and take one day at a time. It makes me realize that I need to have a plan in place should my experience takes me in a different direction. I haven't thought about the swelling from the pins in the head, so that would be very obvious. Hope all is going well with you and thanks again for sharing. Emma
-
Hello and welcome to this forum!
I had GK treatment on a Monday and I went to my first meeting at work on the Thursday. Same thing for a gentleman who had GK on the same day as me although he has a very physically demanding job. You may feel a bit tired but I honestly think it isn't going to be a problem for you specially if you work in an environment where you can take a few minutes now and again to sit back and have some time to yourself
Best of luck!
Joey
What an encouragement to hear your experience and thank you!! My treatment will be next Thursday and I have a meeting on the following Monday morning. Already changing hairstyles using bangs to cover spots where pins are inserted in the forehead :) Hopefully they won't swell and cause paralysis of any kind.... I'm not a vain person, but still trying to keep this issue unknown at work. I'm a very private person and I think this just adds to the dilemma. Emma
-
Emma~
I barely had any swelling at all at the site of the front two pins... I think I was the only one who noticed it at home!! By two/three days out the spots were all but gone. I mean....they really are small dots!! You probably won't even need to change up your style... I didn't.
-
Hi Emma!
In fact I forgot to mention that I did have a bit of swelling above one eyebrow but I have a fringe so that took care of the problem.
My eyelid was sort of blueish (very very slightly) but nothing that I couldn't disguise with a bit of eye shadow, and also, I wear glasses. Unlike you I had told people where I work about the GK I was having but to my great disappointment no one noticed there was anything wrong with my face .... not even my students and believe me they do stare at teachers all the time.
So ... nothing to worry about 8)
Please let us know how you get on on Thursday!
Bye for now
Joey
-
Sharon and Joey, Can't thank you enough for the comments. My husband was happy to see me smile over the hair and pin holes concern. He found it amazing that someone would care enough to comment on something so minor. I think he's seen me cry enough :'( although very few tears will flow from my left eye. Again, thanks to everyone for the encouragement and I will post results after GK next week. Emma
-
wishing you all the best for next week,
vikki
-
Just a quick note to let everyone know my GK experience this past Friday went extremely well. I will be returning to work in the morning and continue to pray for the healing process. I'm so appreciative of all the advice and sharing of personal experiences on this forum. The pin holes are not noticeable - as many of you can now say "I told you so" :D I'm only experiencing mild headaches and just a little fatigue. Prior to GK, I was facing "fear of the unknown".... Post GK, it's still "fear of the unknown" but it's with a different attitude. This morning I told my husband that I just don't know what to expect going forward and his reply was "You expect your healing through your faith that has sustained you through good times and bad"... couldn't say it better! Thanks to all for your support and I will continue posting my healing process. Emma
-
Hello Emma!
Sooooo glad to hear everything went well! See.... I told you so :D
Enjoy Christmas with your loved ones.
Best wishes
Joey
-
I say your husband's a keeper. Great news!
Cheers!
C-Mar
-
Emma ~
Congratulations on successfully completing the Gamma Knife experience! I trust that you'll take your husband's wise words to heart. I also hope that your recovery is both swift and complete. :)
Jim
-
Emma~ This is great news!! I am just like you in wondering what the next 6mos holds... I do have headaches still and I feel that by mid day my eyes feel a bit puffy. It might just be the overall stress of the uncertainty!! But, I hope you continue to do well and we'll have a similar date in the near future to look forward to!!
take care!
-
Sharon, The stress of the uncertainty does take its toll on us, but I have been working hard at "renewing" my mind and taking control of the negative thoughts. Each time a negative thought enters my mind, I instantly replace it with some of my favorite scriptures or favorite praise and worship songs -- I say instantly, but its as soon as I realize the thoughts are leading me down the path of the "fear of the unknown" again. I know everyone has their own way of handling adversity, but this is what I need to do for my peace of mind. My husband finds it amusing that I've written my favorite scriptures/positive thoughts on index cards and have placed them on my mirror, in my desk drawer, on my car dashboard -- I don't use any of the Psalms above chapter 65 / 70 or I may find myself matching my speed to the chapter numbers ;D Would be difficult explaining this to a police officer....
I certainly hope my lame effort at being humorous doesn't come across as not having a concern, but I desperately want to get through a day and a night without this issue heavily weighing on my mind. It's comforting to know if 6 months down the road we hit a bump, we will have the wonderful people on this forum to encourage us again and again until we get over the obstacle. I also feel like my eyes get puffy by midday, but I purchased a gel eye mask that I keep refrigerated and place on my eyes for about 5 - 10 minutes for some relief. We can get through this!! Wishing you and everyone else on this forum good days and good nights ahead!! Happy Holidays.... Emma