Author Topic: Gamma Knife / Hackensack NJ  (Read 3418 times)

VGV

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Gamma Knife / Hackensack NJ
« on: January 24, 2014, 01:10:28 pm »
Just had Gamma Knife for 1.5cm right side AN with Dr. Kondziolka at the Hackensack UMC in NJ.  Doctors and nurses were great  - the whole procedure lasted about six hours including time for the headframe, MRI and the actual procedure. I was thinking that the headframe would hurt but it is painless (probably the anesthesia helped !). I was prescribed a steroid pack to reduce chances of any swelling post-procedure.

I am grateful to the wonderful people posting on this site that enabled me to research AN, know more through your first hand experiences and make an educated decision on which treatment path to go with. I had seen surgeons, Gamma Knife and Fractionated specialists at NYU and Philadelphia before deciding on Gamma Knife at Hackensack.

Happy to help if any one needs information on Hackensack UMC / GK procedure - please PM.

Jim Scott

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Re: Gamma Knife / Hackensack NJ
« Reply #1 on: January 24, 2014, 02:55:37 pm »
VGV ~

Congratulations on your completed Gamma Knife procedure!  I'm delighted to learn that it went so well for you. 

Thanks for your kind words regarding the ANA Discussion Forums and thanks also for your generous offer to those contemplating GK in your area (Hackensack, N.J.)

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.

arizonajack

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Re: Gamma Knife / Hackensack NJ
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2014, 04:16:41 pm »
Congratulations.

If you just had it today then you will start feeling your pin sites tonight or tomorrow. Not really painful, just a little sensitive. That'll last for a week or two. Might be a little longer until the spots on your forehead go away. Mine lasted a while.

Your AN is about a mm or two from mine and about the same as the images in the following link that will give you an idea of the progression of the death of you AN:

My 6 month post GK MRI looked like image B.
3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

robinb

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Re: Gamma Knife / Hackensack NJ
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2014, 02:06:11 pm »
Hi VGV-

Glad to hear it went well; yours is exactly 1 year after mine!

Wishing you a continued good outcome!
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