Hi ANA friends,
I wanted to check in to say that I had GK for my 2.5cm AN w/ Dr. Georg Noren in Providence yesterday and the treatment went very well. I'm a Toastie Postie!
I knew going in that it would be a very, very long day (11 hours!). With the help of Lidicain and a shot of Antivan, the head frame went on without a hitch. Then came the MRI and CT scan...and then the waiting while they planned my treatment.
By the time I was ready for the actual radiation, the Ativan had worn off. Since they said another shot of it might make me nauseous, I opted to go through the treatment (2 actual hours in the machine) without it...and I was fine. The machine was very quiet and almost relaxing. Heck, they even played my Miles Davis CD for me! The only uncomfortable parts for me where when they had to unhook and rehook me as they changed collimators. That was a big jarring. And during some of the slight machine movements during the treatment, I felt like it was pulling by my neck and spine, but nothing I couldn't handle.
In order to avoid the Lidicain from settling around my eyes (and swelling them shut), they suggested that I sleep propped up on 3 pillows. I woke up this morning with very little swelling and dull headache. That was it!
All in all, it went even better than expected. So I've gotten through the diagnosis phase and the treatment phase. Now the REAL journey begins!
I'm thankful to have you all here to "talk" to throughout the process. Thank you!
- Cindy
