ANA Discussion Forum
Pre-Treatment Options => Pre-Treatment Options => Topic started by: proudmomof3 on April 27, 2011, 05:07:18 pm
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AKA: cpayne 101 (changed my user name)
I just wanted to share my experience with everyone. I had Gamma Knife done yesterday on my AN.
The team was exceptional, the nurses were great and I have absolutely no complaints at all. I would highly recommend Dr. Sahni (Richmond, VA). The worst part was not putting on the helmet (as I had anesthesia for that), but taking it off. It was the worst pain I have ever experienced. But right after that, they gave me pain RX in my IV and within 5 minutes I was feeling nothing, and have not had any pain since, other than extreme soreness from the pin holes.
Today, I feel pretty good. I am on steroids, and they have made me very nauseaus and I cannot sleep. I am very restless. As far as my head, the pinholes are so tiny you can hardly see them. I am shocked at how small they are. I saw the screws when they removed them and they were HUGE. I have no idea how I could have such tiny holes from the large screws.
The whole staff made sure I was comfortable, I had my own suite where my parents and husband could sit and stay with me, and it was a really nice, clean room. They fed me a snack after the helmet was put on and I had an MRI. Then they planned the radiation which only took about 30 minutes, and I had 34 minutes of radiation. It was perfectly quiet, they even had stars in the ceiling that twinkled. I fell asleep and woke myself up in the machine snoring (lol).
I get my first MRI in 2 months, so we'll see how the tumor looks, but I am really surprised at how well I feel today. If it wasn't for the steroids, I would probably be out running around.
I just wanted to share this for anyone considering GK. My AN was small so I know it makes a difference in decision making, but I really cannot express how impressed I was with the entire staff and Dr. Sahni.
Hope this helps someone.
Cheryl :D
UPDATE: DAY 3 PAST GK - VERY DIZZY AND NAUSEAUS. I THINK DUE TO STEROIDS. SPOKE WITH NURSE AND SHE AGREES. MY HEAD IS SORE FROM PIN SITES, BUT OTHERWISE STILL DOING WELL. I HAVE NOTICED NO CHANGE IN HEARING/TINITUS, BUT NOT WORRIED AS I KNEW THAT WOULD NOT GO AWAY ANYTIME SOON, IF AT ALL.
OF COURSE, BAD LUCK HAS IT THAT MY A/C BROKE DOWN YESTERDAY SO MY HOUSE IS FLAMING HOT!! DOESN'T GO WELL WITH DIZZINESS/NAUSEAU. OH WELL, COULD BE WORSE![/font]
ALSO FOUND OUT I DO NOT GET MRI IN 2 MONTHS -- DR SAID THAT WAS TOO SOON. I AM DISAPPOINTED IN THAT. I GUESS I HAVE TO WAIT 6 MONTHS. SO I WILL NOT KNOW ANYTHING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. JUST A WAITING GAME..[/b]
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Interesting experience. You must be so glad it is over and you sound wonderful. Best wishes for tumor shrinkage and be done with it
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Congrats, Cheryl! I was wondering how things were going with you. I hope you have a continued good experience!
-Tod
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Hello Cheryl,
Sorry to hear you had some problems. Are you feeling better now ?
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Hi, Cheryl ~
Thanks for the update. I'm sorry you have the dreaded GK 'pin pain' (and no air conditioning) but glad to learn that, overall, you're doing well. Follow-up MRI scans are often done at 3 months but waiting 6 months is not uncommon. It does take time for the radiation to have an effect on the tumor - and MRI scans are very expensive. Many insurers won't pay for one if it isn't considered medically justified. Unfortunately, with radiation treatment, it is a waiting game - but that is unavoidable. I'm sure you'll do fine and your next MRI will show a 'dying' AN.
Jim
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Hi Cheryl,
Thinking of you and hoping you are starting to feel better. Kiddies will make 6 months go by quickly, so your follow-up MRI will be here before you know it! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
Kind regards,
Lori
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Hey Cheryl! I hope things are going good for you at this point in time. Yeah, those steroids sure mess up the sleeping cycle, don't they? :) Take care and keep us updated on how you are doing! Good luck!
Jay
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Why do you have to take steriods and how long will you be on them?