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61
Microsurgical Options / Retrosigmoid surgical approach vs. Gama Knife radio surgery
« Last post by amurgatroyd on June 12, 2026, 02:20:03 PM »
I was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma a year ago. I have been offered both the Retrosigmoid surgical approach and the Gama Knife radio surgery approach. I am hoping to learn what others think the best approach may be for me given my circumstances, and what the pros and cons are for each procedure.

I am a 64 year old, but fit and in good health. I recently ran a half marathon. My acoustic neuroma measures 0.3 x 1.1 x 0.3 cm, which makes it small and under the 3cm standard where both approaches are possible.

I had a recent growth of the tumor, twice the normal growth, in a 7 month period. My symptoms are significant, but "serviceable" right sided hearing. I do get episodes of dizziness about 1 or 2 twice a month. 

Thanks so much,

Anthony

62
Post-Treatment / Re: Yr 8 update CK
« Last post by ppearl214 on June 10, 2026, 10:44:21 AM »
Hello Michele,

Well, regardless of how you found us, you and here and one of us... and I say that in a good way! :)  Such a community here and these forums are kept as peer-to-peer so we can feel safe and happy sharing and caring with others in our shoes.  Glad you found us!

I'm not sure how the AN Community is in Australia (if my old brain remembers correctly, give or take a number of years ago....), we had some from Australia join us here. Try doing a "search" and see what crops us.

Keeping those wellness wishes coming your way!
Phyllis

Quote from: mwatto on June 10, 2026, 12:19:09 AM
How lovely of you Phyllis! Thank you! This forum has been wonderful for me emotionally- its also kind of sad that I had to join a USA org to find it as did not experience that in any way in Australia.

 I am always available also to help mentor others because I still remember vividly how terrified I was  - especially since for two years I had been told I was 'imagining' my vague symptoms and then I basically diagnosed myself from Google.

The way the MRI news was delivered to me was shocking too - a nurse called me at 8 am to say 'sorry to inform you, you have a brain tumor- please see the doctor at 5pm. No, I cant give you any more info.'  When I saw the doctor she said 'well the bad news is you were right after all- it is an AN. The good news is thats benign!'  Post treatment I did not have any real support either until I joined here. The resources also helped me a lot to recover and understand things.
63
Post-Treatment / Re: anyone get back to skiing, surfing, or golf after AN surgery? or other sports?
« Last post by patshriver on June 10, 2026, 09:52:51 AM »
I had a neuroma surgically removed mid-November. I teach kids skiing, and was back skiing on January 1 and teaching the following week. It wasn't easy to start and I felt I'd lost some stamina from the surgery, but the season generally went well and feel balance issues more walking than skiing (it could be because skiing is more "linear" because of the downhill momentum). All that being said, although I can handle almost all terrain I'm not an aggressive skier and I'm generally not doing jumps or moguls.

I didn't discuss skiing with my docs, thinking that they might not have approved. I also went back to work 20 days post-surgery, but that was pushing it too.
64
Post-Treatment / Re: Yr 8 update CK
« Last post by mwatto on June 10, 2026, 12:19:09 AM »
How lovely of you Phyllis! Thank you! This forum has been wonderful for me emotionally- its also kind of sad that I had to join a USA org to find it as did not experience that in any way in Australia.

 I am always available also to help mentor others because I still remember vividly how terrified I was  - especially since for two years I had been told I was 'imagining' my vague symptoms and then I basically diagnosed myself from Google.

The way the MRI news was delivered to me was shocking too - a nurse called me at 8 am to say 'sorry to inform you, you have a brain tumor- please see the doctor at 5pm. No, I cant give you any more info.'  When I saw the doctor she said 'well the bad news is you were right after all- it is an AN. The good news is thats benign!'  Post treatment I did not have any real support either until I joined here. The resources also helped me a lot to recover and understand things.
65
Radiation / Radiosurgery / Re: Radiation treatment in the New York City area
« Last post by ppearl214 on June 09, 2026, 12:22:15 PM »
Hi Barbara and welcome!  Good to have you here!

There is a wealth of information.... and people that have endured what you are researching.  Looking forward to hearing others chime in here. In the meantime, please take advantage of the "search" option in the top right to hone in on information such as NYC radiation, that may be of help.

Again, welcome!
Phyllis
66
Post-Treatment / Re: Yr 8 update CK
« Last post by ppearl214 on June 09, 2026, 12:19:43 PM »
Michele,

You've got this! For me... and for those I speak to on the Mentor list.... the waiting is the most challenging part of having radiation on an AN.  You really have to have mental strength to endure the wait... and, of course, have people like me and the rest of us in your corner. :)  So I'm cheering you on......... strength.... you've got it! :)

Phyllis

Quote from: mwatto on June 01, 2026, 06:48:55 PM
Thanks so much Phyllis!! I am so pleased to hear how well you are going. Very reassuring!
67
Post-Treatment / Re: Yr 8 update CK
« Last post by ppearl214 on June 09, 2026, 12:17:22 PM »
Hi Dan,

I have a sneaky feeling you will catch up! :)  At the 5 year mark, for me, it when we saw that it was a done deal. Now, we just continue to monitor.  Yep, 20 years this past April. It truly was an overwhelming day for me after thinking back all of those years ago.  Quite humbling.

Continued wellness wishes to all!

Phyllis

Quote from: DanFouratt on June 03, 2026, 06:25:57 PM
Phyllis,

20 years is awesome!  Great to heat that.  I have 17.5 more to catch up with you and I will!

Thanks for sharing,
Dan
68
Post-Treatment / Re: 8 months after one 30 min radiation treatment suffering daily
« Last post by DanFouratt on June 09, 2026, 06:07:29 AM »
Intheagarden,

Sorry to hear you are suffering.  I believe Michelle is right, the treatment is doing what it was intended to do.  My symptoms were worse after CK.  I was fortunate enough that this lased only two months.  The initial swelling of the tumor may last different time frames.  A follow up MRI at six months is not uncommon after CK.  You might want to consider this to see if the tumor swelled.

Good Luck on your journey,
Dan
69
Post-Treatment / Re: 8 months after one 30 min radiation treatment suffering daily
« Last post by InTheGarden on June 09, 2026, 05:17:37 AM »
Hey thank you so so much for the reply. I will ask bout those meds. I've forgotten what normal is. 🙏
70
Post-Treatment / Re: 8 months after one 30 min radiation treatment suffering daily
« Last post by mwatto on June 09, 2026, 03:59:43 AM »
Hi I feel for you- I had and still have nerve pain on that side after CK. I can tell you to watch some of the videos in the webinar library because it sounds like the good news is your AN is responding (maybe swelling a little) and in fact thats a good sign. For dizziness I read somewhere that even 1 mg diazepam might help (read on it). It will get better - right now the treatment is doing what it is supposed to do. If you are very worried have another MRI though I would wait - it can take a year or so to settle down. Calming supps like palmitoylethanomide, medical CBD, even magnesium helped me. Oh and good sleep!
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