ANA Discussion Forum

Pre-Treatment Options => Pre-Treatment Options => Topic started by: BevM on October 12, 2006, 07:50:55 am

Title: Stanford experience
Post by: BevM on October 12, 2006, 07:50:55 am
I thought I would pass on my pre-treatment experience at Stanford which was great.  I was fitted yesterday for the mask for Cyberknife.  Everyone I came in contact with was very professional yet personable, caring, and much attention to detail.  This might have been an exceptional experience but I choose to think its their norm.  I had no wait other than the normal wait between CT scan and MRI, they gave me information about what they were doing and kept checking in on how I was doing.  I now wait for a phone call to tell me what the schedule will be next week for treatment.

So far I am very impressed.

Bev
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: HeadCase2 on October 12, 2006, 10:01:06 am
Bev,
  Best of luck (and skill) next week with your treatment.  We'll be thinking about you and sending good thoughts.
Regards,
 Rob
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: matti on October 12, 2006, 04:19:43 pm
Hi Bev - I am a "post-op AN grad" of Stanford ;D    I had surgery (middle fossa) with the Ear Institute at Stanford and my experience while there and in the hospital were great! I hear nothing but wonderful things about the cyberknife treatment center.

Take care and keep us posted!
Cheryl
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: BevM on October 13, 2006, 07:52:29 am
Thank you both for your words of support.  I will let you know how it goes.

Bev
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: Battyp on October 14, 2006, 07:17:25 pm
We like to hear stories of good places!  Hope your treatment goes smooth! 
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: shoegirl on October 15, 2006, 07:33:14 pm
Good Luck Bev!!   :)
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: BevM on October 17, 2006, 08:23:28 am
So far so good.  I've had one treatment which went quite well.  40 minutes with no side effects.  I will have two more today and tomorrow and trust the experience will continue to go well.

Bev
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: BevM on October 19, 2006, 06:58:24 am
Happy to report I have completed my treatments and I am so pleased with the Team at Stanford.
Its now a wait to see if there will be any relief from symtoms.  I was told that they probably not improve but at least it will not grow.  I can manage the current symtoms but will be really really happy if they do improve over time.  I made the right choice for me as I didn't like the invasive, risky surgery idea.  Dr. Adler and his team are terrific.  As I left after final treatment Dr. Adler gave me a HUG and said "Go life your life"!  Hows that for a holistic approach!

Thanks for all your good thoughts and prayers; they really work!!

My best to all who are contemplating Cyberknife, I think its a good choice.

Bev
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: marystro on October 22, 2006, 10:48:49 pm
Hi Bev,

I am glad your treatment went well.  Wasn't it a breeze?

My 8-year old Alex thinks that Stanford CyberKnife is terrific.  The Stanford team is just out of this world.  Every time I send an email to Dr. Chang or Dr. Soltys, I get professional replies quickly (sometimes even the same day).  Dr. Chang even changed my first day's treatment earlier to accommodate Alex's bedtime schedule at my husband's request.  I can't ask for anyone better!

Dr. Adler was so down to earth.  We ran into him in the CK waiting room where he asked Alex what he was reading.  Alex told him it was a book about all the students turning into apples and Dr. Adler being a professor said it's a teacher's dream comes true!  His team even gave Alex a private tour of the CK facility, explained the robotic arm and the technologies and let him watch my treatment over the monitors for the last few minutes.  Later Alex said he saw the arm movement and laser on laser off displays.  It left him a very positive impression and encouragement that mommy is going to be alright!

Now, you need to rest well and as Dr. Adler said "go live your life"!  Believe me, I have been!!!

Mary
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: BevM on October 23, 2006, 08:06:10 am
Hi Mary:  I wish I had thought to get an e-mail address for Drs. Adler and Soltys; if you have them can you pass them on?   you could send them by private message.   I was watching the History channel Friday night and got in on the last part of a program where they were talking about Star Trek and Dr. Adler was talking.  I couldn't get it all but what I think the program was demonstrating is that some of the newer technologies including cyberknife where inspired by Star Trek!!!!   I would like to e-mail Dr. Adler to see if I can get more information about the program.!!!  I couldn't find it through the History channel website.

Thanks!!!

Bev
Title: Re: Stanford experience
Post by: marystro on October 23, 2006, 10:17:57 am
Actually Alex said it's "Star Wars" when he saw the Cyberknife machine.  He said "Mommy I knew you would get that machine!!".  I think "Star Wars" is for the "younger" generation and "Star Trek" the "experienced" one.  ;)

Yes, I will send you their emails.

Mary