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Author Topic: Almost two year checkup  (Read 5750 times)

Sue

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Almost two year checkup
« on: March 01, 2008, 01:59:11 am »
Today I went and saw my doctor, a week after my MRI.  It's been almost two years since my GK treatment - April of '06, and I think a year since my last MRI. The news is good and it's pretty much what I expected (and hoped) it would be.  No changes, no growth, no swelling, no shrinkage, and the center still has darkening.  No evidence of any radiation damage to surrounding tissue.  Dr. Modha was pleased with how it all looked.  My symptoms are the same as always and I suspect it will always be thus.  So, unless something drastic happens, I won't see him for 18 mos.  I told him that I notice more "things" when I'm tired, and he said that was normal for brain "problems" (my wording). So, that's the end of that for the time being. 

Just thought I'd tell you all that I'm pleased with a rather "uneventful" doctor's appointment! 

Sue in Vancouver
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Sue in Vancouver, USA
 2 cm Left side
Diagnosed 3/13/06 GK 4-18-06
Gamma Knife Center of Oregon
My Blog, where you can read my story.


http://suecollins-blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/hello.html


The only good tumor be a dead tumor. Which it's becoming. Necrosis!
Poet Lorry-ate of Goode

Lorenzo

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2008, 04:16:13 am »
Perfect conditions for tomorrow's celebrations! Congratulations.
Lorenzo
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CK, Stanford, Drs Chang and Hancock, Dec 04,
doing great now.

Raydean

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2008, 05:24:32 am »
Sue
Let the Celebrations begin!!!!!  That is wonderful news.  Cause for 2 glasses of wine.  Have a wonderful birthday celebration tonight.  I am so happy for you. 

Hugs and Love
Raydean
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ppearl214

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2008, 06:17:16 am »
Well, Sue.... my radio-sista' in crime... what a fabulous birthday pressie for you!!!!!! FAB news and continued wellness... onward and upward!!!!!!!! 

I'm tickled to hear this news!
xo
Phyl
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Jackie

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2008, 12:04:55 pm »
Hi Sue,

I am so very happy for your great news!!! We love to "hear" about success in the AN journey!! Celebration is in store for you!!! Enjoy, relax and continued blessings!
Jackie (across the river)
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9mm x 11mm Right Side AN mild Tinnitis, and 60% hearing loss
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Nov.13th, diagnosed with 5mm Meningioma
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sgerrard

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2008, 01:20:40 pm »
Hi Sue, congratulations on the great checkup, and Happy Birthday. Enjoy your Peruvian dinner.

Steve
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8 mm left AN June 2007,  CK at Stanford Sept 2007.
Hearing lasted a while, but left side is deaf now.
Right side is weak too. Life is quiet.

Sue

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2008, 02:48:37 pm »
Thank you!  You can tell I don't get out much!  I think the whole world knows I'm going out to dinner!  ;D

Sue
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Sue in Vancouver, USA
 2 cm Left side
Diagnosed 3/13/06 GK 4-18-06
Gamma Knife Center of Oregon
My Blog, where you can read my story.


http://suecollins-blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/hello.html


The only good tumor be a dead tumor. Which it's becoming. Necrosis!
Poet Lorry-ate of Goode

shoegirl

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2008, 10:42:19 pm »
Sue,
Congratulations!  Glad to hear that you got a good report!  Happy Birthday!
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marystro

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2008, 11:34:24 pm »
Congratulations Sue!!!  No change is good.

Have a great time at dinner tomorrow!  Don't forget to toast to celebrate.

Mary
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Mary
July 2006 - 22 x 18 x 20 mm
August 2006 - CK at Stanford by Dr. Chang/Dr. Soltys
February 2008 - 19 x 15 x 20 mm and stable
May 2009 - 17 x 14 x 18 mm

MLB57

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2008, 07:12:46 am »
 :D Hi Sue--GREAT news!! I had 30 FSR treatments last Fall at Mass General, Boston MA for rt AN that continued to grow after 2001 surgery so although I am hopeful (per statistics) I will have a good outcome it's wonderful to hear from someone who is becoming a success story!!  My MRI will be this Fall...  ;D

Take care, Mary from MA   ;)
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1 cm rt AN (retrosigmoid Jan 2001 UMASSMed Ctr/Worc, MA)
Residual left--continued growing--finished 30 FSR w/Dr Loeffler (Mass Gen/Boston MA) on Oct 22 2007... --April 2010--tumor shrank to 8mm and is a dark spot!!  Latest Update: April May 2017 scan shows no change!--Next MRI 2020!!  Life is good!!

Kate B

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2008, 10:06:14 am »
Quote from: Sue on March 01, 2008, 01:59:11 am
Today I went and saw my doctor, a week after my MRI.  It's been almost two years since my GK treatment - April of '06, and I think a year since my last MRI. The news is good and it's pretty much what I expected (and hoped) it would be.  No changes, no growth, no swelling, no shrinkage, and the center still has darkening.  No evidence of any radiation damage to surrounding tissue.Just thought I'd tell you all that I'm pleased with a rather "uneventful" doctor's appointment! 

Sue in Vancouver



Sue:  Don't you just love uneventful? I have a whole new appreciation for it when it comes along:)  I am happy for you.

Quote from: MLB57 on March 02, 2008, 07:12:46 am
:D Hi Sue--GREAT news!! I had 30 FSR treatments last Fall at Mass General, Boston MA for rt AN that continued to grow after 2001 surgery so although I am hopeful (per statistics) I will have a good outcome it's wonderful to hear from someone who is becoming a success story!!  My MRI will be this Fall...  ;D

Take care, Mary from MA   ;)

Mary:  Keeping my fingers crossed for you and that your next appointment has the same uneventful outcome as Sue's did in Vancouver.
Out of curiosity, How large was your original tumor?  Did the doctors feel they had gotten it all at the time?

Kindest Regards,
Kate
« Last Edit: March 02, 2008, 10:07:53 am by Kate B »
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Kate
Middle Fossa Surgery
@ House Ear Institute with
Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Hitselberger
November 2001
1.5 right sided AN

Please visit http://anworld.com/

MLB57

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2008, 08:38:02 pm »
 ;D Hi Kate--I had a 1 cm rt intracanicular AN--removed via retrosigmoid approach Jan 2001 at UMassMed Ctr, Worc MA (when they had a skull base Center)--OR reports said total removal, but subsequent yearly MRIs showed spot and finally in 2006 my new MDs determined it was re-growing. I had consults with Dr Barker, Neurosurgeon  and Dr Loeffler, Chief Radiation Oncology both at Mass General in Boston and with GK specialist Dr Noren in RI before choosing FSR as it would best protect my weakened facial nerve. When I was diagnosed in 2000 I only had a computer at work but of course now I have a home computer and if knew what I know now, I'd have had surgery w/Dr Barker in Boston as I believe he probably could have totally removed it or at least known if he hadn't. But all in all I am doing well... 
 
Take care...  Regards, Mary from MA :)
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1 cm rt AN (retrosigmoid Jan 2001 UMASSMed Ctr/Worc, MA)
Residual left--continued growing--finished 30 FSR w/Dr Loeffler (Mass Gen/Boston MA) on Oct 22 2007... --April 2010--tumor shrank to 8mm and is a dark spot!!  Latest Update: April May 2017 scan shows no change!--Next MRI 2020!!  Life is good!!

candtlaw

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #12 on: March 04, 2008, 12:19:45 pm »
 ;D   CONGRATULATIONS  ;D
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Cyndi
post CK for AN 1cm 04/30/07


Loving my life today :)

OMG16

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #13 on: March 04, 2008, 12:57:16 pm »
Sue I'm sorry I missed this post.  I'm not sure how that happened.  So I am wishing you a happy Birthday however a little late.  That is great news about you tumor.  I am so happy for you.  Celebration kisses to your forehead!!  :-* 16
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I believe you are given choices in life and it is not what has happened to you that defines who you are.  It is how you handle the situation and finding the positive in an almost hopeless situation that counts the most.  My son is my hero and I have had the pleasure of learning this from him.

Sue

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Re: Almost two year checkup
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2008, 02:08:20 am »
Thanks, everybody, for your support and kind words.  Yes, uneventful is a good thing!  Now we just want to slip in under the radar with our doctor appointments.  Just get in, wave at the doc and get out while the gettin' is good.

Two years ago I was pretty devastated and scared, like all the newby's are.  Time does work miracles and even though I will probably go to the end of my days being terribly annoyed that this happened to me, I do think I've come a long way in accepting this bizarre ailment that I've acquired.  I can never forget that I have this because the symptoms won't let me, but I actually can go most days without thinking about it too much.  And I do recognize that I am one of the lucky ones in that I don't have severe symptoms like headaches or dizziness.  The trade off is the facial nerve being affected and causing some numbness and generally irritating the heck out of me.  But I know things could be so much worse, so I try to count my lucky stars and then move on with the rest of my life.   I am very thankful that the people on here have been so kind and helpful and supportive and knowledgeable about so many aspects of this wacky disease/disorder/condition.  And I appreciate so much that there is a great sense of humor on this forum and that most people aren't afraid to be themselves and to be silly, or whatever is needed to cheer people up and to make them feel better about this situation we have all found ourselves to be in. Whew!  You'd think I was in me cups, huh mates?  Nah, not nary a drop of grog has passed me lips.  Just some heartfelt thoughts in the wee hours of the morning.   ::)

Take care,

Sue in Vancouver
« Last Edit: March 05, 2008, 02:11:43 am by Sue »
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Sue in Vancouver, USA
 2 cm Left side
Diagnosed 3/13/06 GK 4-18-06
Gamma Knife Center of Oregon
My Blog, where you can read my story.


http://suecollins-blog.blogspot.com/2010/02/hello.html


The only good tumor be a dead tumor. Which it's becoming. Necrosis!
Poet Lorry-ate of Goode
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