I had GK in Aug. 08. I have not had what I would call an easy post treatment experience. Last year I posted my GK post treatment experience for the sole purpose to share in case others had a post treatment experience that did not go exactly smooth. A trouble free post treatment period is what any patient hopes for, but does not happen in every case. My objective was to help someone if they had some hurdles to overcome in their post experience path.
Even in the midst of my post treatment experience I felt sure my radiation had worked. Much to my dismay, I was told on my two year anniversary in Aug. 2010, that my tumor had grown, almost 2 mm in a 8 month period. My neurosurgeon told me it was not usual. He wanted to see me again around 4 - 5 months later for another MRI scan. As my treatment was in Pittsburgh, I also sent my MRI scans for their opinions, as well. I was told they saw cases of growth like mine in 4 to 5 percent of the cases with a 2% chance of resolve!! Needless to say, those are very small percentages and not the kind you want to be in for sure.
I was put on MANY, MANY, prayer lists. I really needed them, as I had already been told I was not a good candidate for surgery due to immune issues, so I really needed the radiation to work.
I went back last week and found out my tumor had not grown at all and had a possible 1 MM shrinkage in one angle. I was thrilled!! I felt prayers had been answered!! The neurosurgeon said he felt I was "probably out of the woods" and "they would not have to do anything drastic at this point". I am now back to a one year MRI schedule. I still have some issues, but am so relieved to have this news that I feel more accepting of them.
If your path is not always easy or not predictable, do not give up hope. Things can still turn out well! I hope I hear an equally good report at the end of this year!!
