Hi all you W&W's - today I had my two-year MRI for 9th cranial nerve schwannoma being followed since 11/01. Had VIP treatment as the neuroradiologist that I know and who has helped me and hubby with all our brain films was assigned to the office that I was scheduled (they rotate around). So I got an instant read and called into the reading room for more detail.
Basically he felt that over the two years, I have had growth of 1 mm - that would be since 2007. Actually when he went back to 2004 when I had my last growth, it measured 13 mm and now it is 14 mm. The good news is that there is no swelling around it and it is not pressing into the brainstem but is touching it. Even better news is since I have had breast cancer in 2004, the rest of the brain is clear. This 1 mm is also within the margin of technical error and he did tell me that they have upgraded their MRI's (thought I heard a different clip clop/jackhammer noise)!! Worst part of the whole experience was getting the I.V. in for the contrast dye - took two technicians (one supposed to be "the one") and three tries. I hydrated myself with so much water before the procedure (as I heard it helps plump up veins) that luckily the restrooms were nearby!!
Go to see the neurologist for yearly visit next week and will find out her take on this and when she feels another MRI is a good idea. Since there has been minor growth, I may convince her that I'd like to go a year rather than two this time.
Sheryl
