GK next week

[melissac25]

I am having Gamma Knife next week by Dr. J.D. Day at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).  I hear that he is awesome!  Can anyone share with me about the screws that hold the headpiece  in place?  How long will I have to keep it covered and does it leave a scar?

[melissac25]

By covered I mean the point of impact!!!!

[rupert]

 Hello melissac25,

        They are not really screws,  they are small pins.   The threaded part is inside the headframe.   They are tightened down evenly and the pins go into
the bone.   You will feel pressure,   but they numb the area of the pins and it doesn't hurt.    I had small bandaid strips in a cross pattern over the pin sights,
and was told to leave them for three days to help minimize any scaring.   The pin sights are very small.   They were noticeable for a few months, but I can not
even see where mine were now unless I use a magnifier.   Good luck.     Bryan

[mk]

The other thing that I would add is that cold compresses will help avoid swelling above the eyes. I didn't notice that advice on the booklet I was given, and indeed I got some slight swelling for a day or two, but it went away. I also had some pain at the pin site on and off, but ibuprofen took care of it easily.

Marianna

[Sefra22]

Hi Melissa,

I didn't have a scars, but the sites in the back were sore for a few days. What really helped was alternating heat and cold packs.

Good Luck!
Lisa

[melissac25]

Thanks!  How will I feel afterward?  My son has a baseball game that night.  Will I feel like going?  My 6th grade class is going on a field trip the next day to ride a riverboat.  Think I will sit that one out!!!!!
 

[rupert]

  Your body will tell you how much you are able to do.     I  personally took a few days off.   I was very tired for a while.  Maybe not  from the
procedure,  but coming down from the emotional roller coaster these AN's throw at  you and finally getting it treated.   Some people jump right back into things
but I figured I deserved a break.     I was more tired than normal for a few months, but never missed any work because of it and I feel like my energy is back to normal
now.    I was lucky in that I had no tumor swelling after my procedure and never had to go on steroids.   First post MRI showed same size,    second MRI  showed
slightly smaller with significant darkening in the center.   AN's are very vascular and the contrast dye makes them almost glow.   Darkening is what you like to see as
your post treatment extends.  The darkening means the blood supply and the tumor is dying.   Bryan

[Sefra22]

If you feel like going to the game after GK, I will think you are Wonder Woman
It was a very long day for me, going into the hospital at 5am, and I don't think it was completely over until about 5pm. Then again, I had an MRI, CT scan, and a hearing test before the GK. I was absolutely exhausted, not to mention whatever drug they gave me to relax me was still in my system for a while.

Lisa

[Sue]

It is a long and stressful day, and there was no way on God's green earth that I could have done anything that day.  Then after the steroids kicked in, I could have played baseball...LOL. 

It might  depend on what they give you, med wise.  I was given atavan I think it was, and that is what messed me up. 

Best of luck to you!!!

Sue in Vancouver WA USA

[melissac25]

Thanks everyone!  The time is getting closer!  It's not "Hammer time" ...it's GAMMA TIME!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[Phillies]

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.