Hello all. Wish I didn’t have to say this but I’m back. I am however glad to see you are all still here! I was a frequent visitor and poster a couple years ago after I found out I had a second AN. This one on my left side after having had the one on my right side removed in 2002. That surgery left me without hearing on my right side. Once I found out about “Lefty” I’ll call it, I started seeing Dr.s again checking out my options. I visited my original surgeon and was told quite matter of factly my options were limited. In so many words it was “Surgery will almost surely leave you completely deaf, or you can have Gama Knife and you will retain hearing for a while. What do you choose? Let me know.” At least that was the impression my wife and I left there with.
That is when I really started reading this forum and trying to find better options or at least details. That is how I got to Dr. Brackmann at the House Clinic. After sending my records to him, and going to LA for a visit, I opted for a Decompression surgery during which Dr. Brackmann basically went in and removed some bone to open up the canal through which the tumor was growing to relieve the pressure on the nerves. This was to buy me some more time and make the W&W process a bit less damaging if Lefty was to keep growing.
Well, my two year MRI was completed the other day and sent off to Dr. Brackmann. I haven’t heard back yet but didn’t expect to this soon. I did however cheat and got a copy of the MRI and looked at it myself. I also had a copy of last years to compare it to. I am not by any means self-diagnosing but I can see a definite growth in what I perceive to be Lefty. If I read last year’s and this year’s MRIs, even somewhat knowledgably, it has grown from 1.3cm to 2.6cm. I have to admit I am a bit concerned. I am going to patiently wait to hear from Dr. Brackmann but am also going to begin researching, once again, what my options might be.
So, after my long re-introduction, here are some questions I have. Knowing removal is not an option without total hearing loss, I am learning about CK and GK. My first question is whether either one is more effective at killing Lefty than the other. Secondly, I am curious if there are chances or statistics relating to the chances of losing the hearing I have left due to CK or GK. And finally, at least for now, isn’t there some damage done to the nerves during the Radiosurgery as well as targeting Lefty. I thought that the nerves were surrounded and even somewhat entwined in the tumor. Isn’t it almost impossible to burn Lefty without burning some of the nerve as well? All these questions I am sure will be answered if the need arises but I hope you all can understand my curiosity.
I know radio surgery is sometimes seen as having the possibility of causing problems off into the future and know many consider age in their decision making. So just as information I had my first surgery at age 51. Found Lefty on my 10 year follow up MRI. Had my decompression surgery at age 61 and am now 63.
Finally, I would like to say, this place is amazing. I see many names I recognize from two years ago all still helping and supporting each other any way you can. I am very glad you are still here. Thank you!!
