ANA Discussion Forum
Treatment Options => Radiation / Radiosurgery => Topic started by: lilith on January 16, 2017, 07:08:30 pm
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Dear All,
I hope my story helps patients with AN that are below 30mm and may consider radiation.
5 May 2016: I was diagnosed with a 33 X 22 x22 mm AN. My 2 symtomps were wonky head and dumbness in the right side of my face; sometimes fatigue. My hearing was good in both ears, although a lower percentage of hearing in my right ear (not noticeable to me).
25 May 2016: I underwent radiation (one session). I consulted 4 neurosurgeons and 2 radioneurosurgeons, all of them, except one recommended radiation, even with the size of my AN. From day 1 I noticed I could not hear properly.
Months 4 and 5: Awful! My sympomps increased to dizziness, extreme fatigue, nausea, lost some hearing in my right ear, lost of apetite. Wonky head (all day and night) and dumbness in my face continued.
6 months later (November 2016): 35 x 28 mm (do not have the third measure) but necrosis very noticeable. My symptoms have dissapeared (in month 6) at 90% A few days I feel wonky head but just for a few minutes. Hearing in right ear did not improve but is usable.
Conclusion: My extreme symtomps were the consequence of the rapid necrosis I was experiencing. The measurements indicated swelling which was expected.
Almost 8 months later I continued to feel almost back to normal. I have detected a few preceding episodes that detonate my wonky head: carrying heavy objects or my 5-year-old girl, screaming and excesive stress (not accumulated mainly sudden news that imply extra work).
Too soon to run into conclusions but so far I am happy with my decision. I will post my 1-year results.
All the very best to all patients in this forum.
Lilith
p.d. Sorry about my English, it is not my first language!
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Hi lilith, given your asymmetrical dimensions, it loos like the 33 mm dimension includes an intrameatal portion. I think most woudl call your tumor a 22 mm AN. Some are reluctant to do radiosurgery once the tumor is over 30 mm.
Hope your hearing keeps going. Overall, it sounds like everything went well.
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Hi Lilith; thanks for sharing your story. Hope all is going well with you.
Stella
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Thanks for sharing!