ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: windy on July 28, 2008, 04:22:41 pm
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Well, I have finally made a decision! I can hardly believe it myself. Apparently, "my gut" finally kicked in and I have resolve in my decision making process.
I am scheduled for GK with Dr. Lunsford at UPMC on the morning of 8-5-08. I feel he is a GK expert and feel good about my decision. I will not be flying. My family and I will take a couple of days to drive. We will get the bulk of the trip behind us on the first day and drive the least amount on the second day. I hope to arrive in Pittsburgh around noon on Sunday, 8-3. I see Dr. Lunsford on Monday, 8-4. My procedure is scheduled for the next morning.
I want to thank everyone on this forum for their input and support. Your help in my decision making process has truly been invaluable. I also have a wonderful group of friends and family who have prayed for me diligently. Without everyone, there is no doubt that I would not have made my decision with such peace and resolve, as well as a head full of knowledge! Thank you so much!
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Congratulations, Windy ;D
I'll bet this takes a load off your mind. Treatment decisions are always tough.
Don't forget to put your GK on the AN treatment calendar.
Thanks,
Jan
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Windy,
Congratulations on coming to a decision. I'm still somewhat in the process but leaning toward GK at Mayo in Sept. I have been following your post and wish you all the best.
Mona
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Windy
Congrads on your decision. What a load off, huh. It is such a learning journey. Don't forget to keep a journal after your GK to document your feelings and how you feel, that way you can look back ,from whence you came.
I had GK 6 weeks ago and am doing fine. You'll do great. Ask them for the drug amnesia cocktail. I'll be thinking of you.
Take care
Claire
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Sounds good, Windy. One week, and you will be a postie. Best wishes for a great outcome.
Steve
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Good luck with your procedure. It sure takes a load off when you make that final decision. I have never regretted having my GK. You will be in my thougts.
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Hey Windy,
Good for you for making your decision and, really, quite quickly, I think. (Some people (ok, me) can't seem to make a decision one way or the other.) Everyone here says to go w/ your gut feeling and you will feel better once you do so. Seems it has indeed worked for you!
Good luck - we'll be watching for your updates on how things go.
Cindy
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Windy:
Thanks for your sincere statement of gratitude and congratulations on your decision to go with Gamma Knife at UPMC.
I certainly will be thinking of and praying for you on August 5th. May better days await you. :)
Jim
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hey windy and congrats! Decision making process is done... monkey now off your back! Time to get you done and onward and upward to wellness!
Hang in there!
Phyl
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Thank you everyone for your well wishes!! I appreciate the encouragement.
I wish I could say I was totally light of heart now, but I still have some fears. Is this normal? I seem to have more and more symptomology on the right side of my face from the eye down to my mouth. It keeps me in a worried state.
I am relieved to move forward with treatment and certainly think I have chosen an accomplished physician in the area of AN's, but I just worry about my face and its future. Is this unreasonable?
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Hi Windy,
Oh my gosh no...your fears are normal. No matter what the treatment choice, there is wonder about how it will all turn out.
I believe that we all make the best decisions based on the information we have at hand and then you step forward. No matter the outcome as there are no guarantees and these tumors are unpredictable.
You have chosen a stellar facility for gamma knife. When I did my research, when it came to gamma knife, UPMC was the institution I heard over and over again. Dr. Lunsford is renown at UPMC.
All the best,
Kate
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Oh my gosh no...your fears are normal. No matter what the treatment choice, there is wonder about how it will all turn out.
I believe that we all make the best decisions based on the information we have at hand and then you step forward. No matter the outcome as there are no guarantees and these tumors are unpredictable.
Windy -
I agree 100% with Kate. I couldn't have said it any better myself.
Fears are totally normal.
Keep the faith; you'll do fine.
Jan
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Hi Windy,
Hopefully I will be right behind you soon with GK. We've discussed it, and I think you are going with a great team. I am anxious to hear how things things turn out for you so please give us a follow-up. Thinking of you. Nancy
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Congrats on making your decision, Windy! I pray that you have success like others have had with GK. That's great!
Brian
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Gave update in Post-Treatment section. Thanks to all for the well wishes!!