ANA Discussion Forum

Pre-Treatment Options => Pre-Treatment Options => Topic started by: Sam on November 13, 2006, 08:07:14 pm

Title: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Sam on November 13, 2006, 08:07:14 pm
I have been scheduled for Gammaknife treatment December 12, 2006 @ UAB Birmingham around 5:00 am. I am looking forward to getting this over with.
Sam ;D
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Sue on November 14, 2006, 01:15:31 am
It will soon be over with and you will be on the road to recovery!! Hooray.   :D


Sue in Vancouver USA
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: ppearl214 on November 14, 2006, 02:45:05 pm
Sam,

best wishes... here's wishing you the best with your upcoming treatment.  Will be great to start the new year off as a "postie" (post-treatment!)

Phyl
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: BusyBonnie on November 14, 2006, 06:32:01 pm
Great news Sam! I decided on GK also and will hopefully be scheduled early December as well! Good luck to both of us on killing the little suckers.

Lana
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Sam on November 14, 2006, 07:43:08 pm
Thanks, this has really been a stressful thing for me , and my whole family, and  I really mean unusually stressful. I have adapted to a Extremely stressful environment especially with my job. I am a religious person, and that has been 100% of my foundation during this situation, I do believe in the saying "What does not kill me, only makes me stronger". I do plan to come out of this a better man than I was before my diagnosis in all aspects of my life. I wish all here the very best in whatever you are faced with dealing with AN's.
The hardest part of this for anyone in not the diagonosis, or treatment. It is the part of making the decision on what to do, that is the major thing I have had to face with this.

Sam
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Sam on November 20, 2006, 03:45:59 pm
Hi Bruce,
You are 100% right, This is great! God never brings his people around a Storm, God Always brings us THROUGH the Storm. And We usually are stronger,and better than before.
By the way I had a conversation with a retired RN from Emory, and told her about you, She said they would take care of you there. Apparently they are very good there. She told me my decision with UAB-Kirkland Clinic was a good choice too.

Sam
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come( FOLLOW-UP)
Post by: Sam on December 12, 2006, 02:17:32 pm
I had to get up at 1:30 am this morning to travel to Healthsouth/Highlands UAB Gammaknife for my treatment, and I would have to say I am very impressed with the staff there. I went in and given my IV at approx. 6:15 am. and was immediatly given a steroid through the IV, which burned in some personal areas for about 15 seconds. I was then taken to have my headframe placed at approx. 6:50 am.(I never knew exactly HOW FAST Demorol worked until today). I was taken into and given a Contrast MRI. I was taken from there back to my room, where I rested for about 1 hour. at approx. 8:55 am I was wheeled into the chamber with the Gammaknife, and placed on the "couch". My total time in the Gammaknife = 26.3 minutes. I was then wheeled out to the frame fitting room where the headframe was removed, and I was bandaged up, and released. I did experience the pinholes bleeding approx. 30 min.. after leaving the hospital, but the Dr. said that would happen.
Note: the Dr. informed me that my tumor was a little smaller than the original MRI scan back in Sept. But she did not elaborate on the size this time.
So far, it has been a pleasent experience under the circumstances. I know I am just a few hours out, but SO FAR SO GOOD, other than the pain from the pins.
Thanks for all of the Info from you.


Sam
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Derek on December 12, 2006, 05:35:58 pm
Hi Sam...

Glad to hear that your GK treatment went so well. Very best wishes for a successful long term outcome.

Regards

Derek
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: ppearl214 on December 12, 2006, 08:27:12 pm
Congrats Postie Sam! Now on the road to tumor death and wellness!

Congrats to you!
Phyl
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come (follow-up)
Post by: Sam on December 12, 2006, 08:49:55 pm
Thanks all, I go for my follow up in 1 month. Dr. Guthrie is going to set me up for a 1 month,3 month, 6 month, and 1 year follow up.
something was said about after that doing a 1 year for a few years, and then later stepping up to every 2 years.
Yeah, I might be a postie, but I'm still here for the pre-ops. to help during thier time. After what I experienced, I would recommend Gammaknife to anyone. My wife began telling me things I done during the course of this morning that I do not remember, but then again, blame it on demorol. What I do remember was in no way a horror story.
There was a lady that was being treated at the same time as me, I do not know what her situation was, but I do know she was crying, and my heart went out to her, and if possible I wish I could have taken those tears away. I know her husband was there for her, but I do have a compassion for people in pain, or  those who are scared, but then again AN is a scary thing.

Sam
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: BusyBonnie on December 13, 2006, 12:02:14 am
Sam,

    your words are very encouraging. San Diego Gamma Knife Center just called me today and I am scheduled for Dec. 27th! I'm so glad to hear yours went well and I just know that little bugger will die and mine too! Please keep us posted on how your doing and I am glad the tough part is over for you.

Lana
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Sam on December 13, 2006, 08:47:19 am
Lana,
For me the only bad part of the whole treatment was the placement of the headframe, but thanks to the demorol, I do not remember a whole lot about that, except for the tramendous pressure that lasted for about 30 seconds. I was litterally laughing and cutting up with the nurses, doctors, and my wife throughout my treatment. If I had to go back this morning to do it all over again, I WOULD! It was not that bad. Congradulations on your appointment, You will do great! Keep Your Husband and family in good spirits, that is a key factor, because they will help this go by smoother. If there is anything I can do, do not hesitate to ask.

Sam
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Dealy on December 13, 2006, 11:46:48 am
sAM. i hesitate to mention my religion on this site because everyone has their own way of coping. With that said-I could not get through my ordeal without it. I am of the same sentiments. It scares you but then again I believe in the adage that everything is brought to us for a reason-we just do not know it-and if we did-we just may change our mind. Well enough on that. Good luck-to you- you also will be in my prayers. Ron
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Sam on December 13, 2006, 12:25:12 pm
Thanks Ron, without God I would be nothing, and he has been my strength through ALL of this, and I praise God  for bringing me to and Through this. During my treatment under all of the stress, I stopped long enough to pray, and thank God for his gracousness and for being there with me holding my hand in my time of trouble. we should never hesitate to mention our faith, because we are lights unto the rest of the world. for some we bring hope, assurance, and knowledge that there is more to this life than just being born,having a little fun, a few bad times, and ultimatly, dying.
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: opalon on December 14, 2006, 09:23:09 am
  i too trust in God , but your faith is superstrong: your words are very encoraging for everyone , tkanks! :).
Title: Re: Gammaknife here I come
Post by: Sam on December 14, 2006, 06:30:59 pm
All are welcome, I feel that I need to be encouraging to others that is what Christ would want me to do. Though I do not feel as close to God as I want to be, but it is something I have to continue to work on. I do appreciate your comment! Your comment made me feel encouraged to do more.
Sam