Author Topic: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio  (Read 6984 times)

2puttchuck

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One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« on: September 14, 2011, 02:49:54 pm »
Since being diagnosed with my AN in 2009, I've found this forum very useful in dealing with all the issues associated with this problem.  Although I have not posted much, reading other people's posts and experiences have been invaluable to me in staying calm and reaching my treatment decisions. So, I thought it was time to take my turn at sharing my experiences so far.

 Based on my age (67 year old male), size of my AN, current symptoms (partial hearing loss) and doctor's recommendations, I chose to have Gamma Knife surgery.  It is my hope that this will stop my AN growth, and limit my symptoms to just the hearing loss that I have adjusted to with the help of Phonak Bicros hearing aids.

I underwent GK surgery at University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 7, 2011.  Process started at 6 AM.  Brace installed and MRI completed by 8:30 AM.  Other than a little discomfort from the Lidocaine shots prior to screwing on the brace, the overall process was actually relatively painless.  I did not have the actual GK surgery until about 2 PM.  Unfortunately, the "happy juice" pretty much wore off by 12:30 PM, and the affect on my attitude in having to wait so long became pretty apparent to the UH staff people.  I guess the neuro surgeon got held up in surgery, which delayed his approval of the treatment plan prepared the onc rad doctor. I thought they could have at least let me know there was a reason for what I thought was taking a long time to do the surgery.  Once approval was received, and another shot of "happy juice" administered, the 47 minute GK treatment was completed and the brace was painlessly removed.  I was released from the hospital at 4:30 PM.  Overall, other than the wait, the whole process was pretty easy.

I had a slight headache the first night home, which was resolved by a couple of doses of Tylenol.  Had swelling around my forehead, eyelids, and back of my neck for the first three days, with peak swelling occurring the second day (Friday).  I was also pretty tired the first few days after the surgery.  By Sunday, everything seemed pretty normal, and I am back to all my normal (retirement) activities.  I have had some problems with my eyes watering, and possibly a little more tinnitus than normal, but not sure I can attribute that to the GK surgery. I had these same issues before the GK surgery, and they come and go for no apparent reasons.

So, so far, so good.  Hopefully, no objectionable side effects will develop in the future, and next MRI will show no growth. 

Chuck
16 x 13 x 9 right side AN diagnosed in 1/09.
Right side hearing loss is primary symptom. 
Grew to 20 x 15 x 15 by 6/11.
GK surgery at University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, on 9/7/11.

Jim Scott

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #1 on: September 14, 2011, 03:07:43 pm »
Hi, Chuck ~

Thanks for the succinct explanation of your recent, successful Gamma Knife procedure.  I'm pleased to learn that things are going well, so far, and trust that this will remain the case, as it does for many GK AN patients.  I know you'll keep us updated.

Jim
4.5 cm AN diagnosed 5/06.  Retrosigmoid surgery 6/06.  Follow-up FSR completed 10/06.  Tumor shrinkage & necrosis noted on last MRI.  Life is good. 

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. It's the way it is.  The way we cope with it is what makes the difference.

leapyrtwins

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #2 on: September 14, 2011, 07:22:49 pm »
Good news, Chuck.

Glad you're doing well.

Hope your next MRI shows necrosis  ;D

Jan
Retrosig 5/31/07 Drs. Battista & Kazan (Hinsdale, Illinois)
Left AN 3.0 cm (1.5 cm @ diagnosis 6 wks prior) SSD. BAHA implant 3/4/08 (Dr. Battista) Divino 6/4/08  BP100 4/2010 BAHA 5 8/2015

I don't actually "make" trouble..just kind of attract it, fine tune it, and apply it in new and exciting ways

GM

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #3 on: September 17, 2011, 05:51:34 am »
Greetings fellow "zapper"   Glad to hear the process (other than the wait), went well.  Looking forward to your follow up MRI results.  Happy retirement btw!    :D
Originally 1.8cm (left ear)...Swelled to 2.1 cm...and holding after GK treatment (Nov 2003)
Gamma Knife University of Virginia  http://www.medicine.virginia.edu/clinical/departments/neurosurgery/gammaknife/home-page
Note: Riverside Hospital in Newport News Virginia now has GK!!

Vivian B.

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #4 on: October 09, 2011, 10:02:48 pm »
Hey Chuck,

It feels great after you have done the procedure, just knowing that the little bug is frying away. I am glad that you have done well. I wish you continued recovery.

Vivian
CPA AN(most likely meningioma) 1.6cm by 1.5cm by 1.9cm diagnosed early March 09. Watch and Wait.

frenchjoey

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #5 on: October 18, 2011, 08:43:31 am »
Hi Chuck,

I’m due to have GK surgery in less than 2 weeks now and it was really helpful to hear all the details of your experience. I don’t know if you still log on to the forum but if you do I was wondering if you could let us know how you are getting on after one month.

I hope you’re fit as can be and enjoying every second of your post-GK life . :D

Best wishes
joey

2puttchuck

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2011, 12:47:54 pm »
Joey - Good luck with your GK surgery.  Almost six weeks after my surgery now, and no noticeable problems.  Had a followup appointment with the radiologist a few weeks ago, and he found no problems.  I am now scheduled for my followup MRI and visits with the radiologist and neurologist in April.   I understand that I could start experiencing some side effects between now and then, but guess I will just have to wait and see.  And I am enjoying life after my GK experience, just like I was before.  I have done what you are apparently doing - using this forum and other sources to understand all I can about AN and learning from others experiences, working with my doctors, and doing what I think needs to be done.  Beyond that, I try not to worry too much about things I really have no control over.

Chuck
16 x 13 x 9 right side AN diagnosed in 1/09.
Right side hearing loss is primary symptom. 
Grew to 20 x 15 x 15 by 6/11.
GK surgery at University Hospital, Cleveland, Ohio, on 9/7/11.

frenchjoey

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #7 on: October 20, 2011, 08:22:06 am »
Hi Chuck,

Thank you for taking the time to reply to me. I was really happy to hear you are doing fine. Most comforting! You’re right, this forum is very useful and you learn a lot through other people’s experience. So much so that when I spoke to my local ear specialist at the hospital this morning I knew most of the things he had to say! I feel it always helps to know where you’re heading. It takes away the anxiety of the unknown.
Well it’s another 11 days before I get to wear the ideal costume (I’m referring to the frame) for Halloween…. 8)
Hope to hear again from you soon.
Best wishes
Joey

frenchjoey

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Re: One Week after Gamma Knife surgery - Cleveland, Ohio
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2011, 11:48:07 am »
Hi Chuck,

I just wanted to say I'm back from the "GK experience". I've left a very long post on Seamar's ZAPPED discussion explaining how things went for me. I'm glad the procedure itself is behind me now. Let's now concentrate on the how-to-feel-better strategy.
Hope you're feeling on top of the world
Best,
Joey