Needing help from 65-or older people who have radiation first and then surgery .

[MG]

Hello everyone,

I need help. I am a 70 yr. old woman who had Cyber Knife in 2016 on my 1.3 cm tumor. Just recently my MRI showed 2 mm. of growth.    The radiation did not work for me. I am also having occasional facial spasms or facial droop that last  a few seconds at a time. My doctor is giving me 6 months to see what happens and another MRI. He then says I will have to have surgery and that most likely I will have facial droop.    I am so frightened. I also have a heart problem and wonder how I would do in surgery. The doctor told me it would be a difficult surgery because my tumor is sticky from the radiation. I hope someone can give me some help.

Thanks,
   MG

[tsaff88]

Hi MG,

I had GK followed by surgery several years ago, before I turned 65.  The surgery was a success and I've recently been released from the annual MRI.  Before surgery the surgeon said that there was no way of predicting what they would find during the operation. The ENT stressed that each AN is unique and that predicting what they would find or what the end result would be was just that, a prediction, not a certainty.  Postop he reported that everything was clean and that they did not encounter anything unusual.  They were able to remove all of the AN excepting a small tail.  I was apprehensive going into the operation but I was more concerned about stopping the AN from growing into my brain.  BTW the surgery was done by Drs Haberkamp and Gonzalez-Martinez at the Cleveland Clinic.

Good Luck!

[MG]

Hello,

Sorry it took me so long to reply. My mind is in turmoil. I am having facial droop episodes every day. I went on steroids to see if it would  help but no luck. I have to face the fact that my facial nerve is being crushed. I am having all the same symptoms as I had when this nightmare began in 2013.  Earaches, headaches, fullness, and balance problems. I really had faith that the Cyber Knife would work on my 1.3 CM tumor. Now after almost 4yrs since CK. it has grown 2 more MM. So disappointing. 
Thanks for your input . I am happy yours turned out well . 

Take care,
  MG

[MG]

 Hello Maria Odete,

I am a woman of faith also. My husband and I pray daily. It does help but there is also the waiting and wondering. Yes, God hears our prayers.

Thank you,

 MG

[Maria Odete]

Dear MG,

You said thank you to me on your post.You are welcome.

Maria Odete

[Rocky]

Dear MG,
If you really don't want surgery, why not get a second opinion. Maybe another radiosurgery would be suggested?

[mwatto]

My CK specialist told me if mine fails down the line we would zap it again. I had 3 sessions almost two years ago ...

[mwatto]

How are you doing MG? What did you decide? Wishing you a better 2021.