Author Topic: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13  (Read 145095 times)

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #180 on: August 24, 2019, 05:26:14 pm »
Thanks for the kind words notaclone13!

You have inspired me to re- commit to my own weight loss and fitness goals despite being over 65.

If I could give one piece of advice on your weight loss and fitness goals....don't think despite being over 65! I truly believe age is not a factor in a lifestyle change based on my experience. Its the will and commitment to do it! So I say YOU CAN DO IT!
AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #181 on: January 31, 2020, 10:42:32 pm »
Happy ANniversary to me; its been 7 years since my GK treatment. Im healthier, fitter and stronger than ever. I'm amazed at how many times this thread has been viewed. Feel free to DM or contact me through the ANA as I am a Peer Network Volunteer.
« Last Edit: February 01, 2020, 10:26:18 am by robinb »
AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

notaclone13

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #182 on: February 01, 2020, 12:40:47 pm »
Congratulations Robinb.  All your post provide great encouragement.  Thanks for sharing your journey with us. Y

Smags1975

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #183 on: May 10, 2020, 06:38:48 am »
I am having GK in 2 weeks and have been reading as much as I can about others experiences. Its been terrific to read about your journey Robinb, it’s given me hope that things can work out well  ;)

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #184 on: May 11, 2020, 11:59:26 am »
Hi Smags1975

So happy to hear you found it useful; thats why I keep it alive! I want people to know life goes on, gets even better despite the AN and any short term complications and permanent issues such as SSD and tinnitus. Wishing you all the best for just a great outcome. Feel free to reach out direct any time!
AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #185 on: January 25, 2021, 09:19:37 pm »
Happy ANniversary to me! Just passed the 8 year mark since my Gamma Knife!
Just got 1st dose of Covid vaccine too.
Life is good!
« Last Edit: January 26, 2021, 04:48:51 pm by robinb »
AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

cceekkoo11

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #186 on: March 04, 2021, 05:54:43 pm »
Happy ANniversary to me! Just passed the 8 year mark since my Gamma Knife!
Just got 1st dose of Covid vaccine too.
Life is good!
Great for you! Wishing you all the best. Did you get the second dose of the vaccine and did you have any side effects? Did you have any issues with the face?
Which vaccine did you get?
Thank you!

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #187 on: March 28, 2021, 07:40:14 am »
Happy ANniversary to me! Just passed the 8 year mark since my Gamma Knife!
Just got 1st dose of Covid vaccine too.
Life is good!
Great for you! Wishing you all the best. Did you get the second dose of the vaccine and did you have any side effects? Did you have any issues with the face?
Which vaccine did you get?
Thank you!
Thank you!
Yes had the 2nd dose, and no side effects at all, arm a little sore the next day, nothing else. I had the Pfizer vaccine.
AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #188 on: April 05, 2022, 08:56:03 am »
Wow, another milestone come and gone; my 9 year treatment anniversary was in January. All is well!

I am a Peer mentor, so you can reach me for support through there or a DM here.
AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

donjehle

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #189 on: April 05, 2022, 05:29:12 pm »
Congratulations, robinb, on your 9-year treatment anniversary!

That should encourage all of us!

And thank you for your offer of support to the AN community.
Burning Tongue, Loss of Hearing & Balance, and Tinnitus led to MRI. Very small AN found on 11/23/2021
While watching and waiting, lost significant hearing. WRS now at 12% (down from 100%). Was fitted with CROS system on 3/7/22.  Stable MRI on 7/29/22
No treatment yet.

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #190 on: April 06, 2022, 01:02:22 pm »
Congratulations, robinb, on your 9-year treatment anniversary!

That should encourage all of us!

And thank you for your offer of support to the AN community.

Thank you!
How do you like the CROS; did a consult for one, but decided not worth it to me.
AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

donjehle

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #191 on: April 06, 2022, 05:52:59 pm »
Hi robinb!

My bad ear is my left ear.  And prior to getting my CROS hearing system, whenever I pulled up to a drive-through restaurant, I could not understand what they were saying.  I couldn't tell if they were saying, "You can order whenever you are ready," or if they were saying, "hold on for a moment."  My good ear was inside the car, and it couldn't hear well enough.  I would place my order as soon as I drove up and hope that they didn't ask me any questions like "do you want fries with that?"  If they did say something, I couldn't understand if they were asking if I wanted sauce with my order or if they were telling me what the total amount was.  So, ordering from a fast-food drive-through was miserable!

The first thing I did after getting my CROS system was to go to Taco Bell and make an order from the drive-through.  I could understand everything perfectly!  I almost cried!

But what made me decide to purchase the system was a problem I had at work by not hearing correctly.  I serve as a hospital chaplain.  And one time I was visiting a patient (with my good ear towards the patient).  I asked her husband what his name was because I wanted to pray for him as well.  I thought he said, "Danny" when he actually said, "Randy."  So, in my prayer, I prayed for Danny.  After my prayer, the husband was irate that I prayed for Danny.  I soon discovered that Danny was the name of the patient's ex-husband.  Oops!  I decided right then that I needed to purchase the CROS system, even though it was very expensive.  But if I did not buy it, I might not be able to continue in my job.

So, that's a long answer for your simple question!  Yes, I love mine!  But my wallet still hurts!
Burning Tongue, Loss of Hearing & Balance, and Tinnitus led to MRI. Very small AN found on 11/23/2021
While watching and waiting, lost significant hearing. WRS now at 12% (down from 100%). Was fitted with CROS system on 3/7/22.  Stable MRI on 7/29/22
No treatment yet.

robinb

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #192 on: January 25, 2023, 08:51:35 am »
Happy ANniversary to me!

Today I passed my 10 year anniversary for my Gamma Knife treatment at UPMC.

As I've posted before, minor side effects in my 1st 6 months, but smooth sailing since. Life with SSD and tinnitus not that big a deal. Although I did try out the CROS hearing aid last month. It didn't do much for me, found it more annoying than helpful. I just couldn't justify the cost. However, if having it would help me at Cross Fit like being unafraid to do box jumps again or wall walks, I would have bought it!

Be well everyone!

AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

donjehle

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #193 on: January 26, 2023, 07:15:59 pm »
Yay!  Congrats on year 10!  That is great news!  It's especially encouraging for those who are considering Gamma Knife.
Burning Tongue, Loss of Hearing & Balance, and Tinnitus led to MRI. Very small AN found on 11/23/2021
While watching and waiting, lost significant hearing. WRS now at 12% (down from 100%). Was fitted with CROS system on 3/7/22.  Stable MRI on 7/29/22
No treatment yet.

rupert

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Re: My personal gamma knife experience 1-24-13
« Reply #194 on: February 11, 2023, 10:30:37 pm »
Hello robinb,     Congrats on your recent MRI report.    I am also a UPMC alum having my GK  in 2010.    I was on these forums way way back but I remember your name from then.   I just had my 12 year MRI and got to wondering if the ANA forum was still going and lo and behold here it is.   My last MRI was 5 years ago.   It was about half the original size at the 8 year mark and this recent one shows it being the same.    Really can’t beat that UPMC team.    Good to see some long term veterans still keeping it alive on the forum.     
« Last Edit: February 11, 2023, 10:45:42 pm by rupert »