New to ANA, Having GK treatment this Friday

[tclark]

I am a 43yo mother of 4.  I was diagnosed with an AN in January of this year.   The size of the tumor at the time of diagnosis was 1.9cm.  I was referred to an ENT specialist and ultimately a neurosurgeon and a surgeon who specializes in GK procedures.  I had done quite a bit of research before meeting with the two surgeons and had pretty much made up my mind that GK was the option for me.  I was quite surprised, but also impressed, when the neurosurgeon told me "I can remove this tumor with very little chance of serious complications...But if you were my wife, I would want you to have it treated with radiosurgery".  I met with the radiosurgeon and will be having the GK procedure this Friday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.  From what I have read via the internet, I am lucky to have this facility as an option for me.  I am wondering if anyone reading this has underwent GK treatment at UPMC and what your experience has been.  I am more than a little nervous but would be much more nervous if I were about to undergo a craniotomy.  Any feedback from someone who has been through the GK procedure would be appreciated. 

[gemaste]

I also have chosen the GK in St. Louis   I also am looking for more info.  Thanks

[russ]

Hi
  I haven't had GK but if did, would feel really well about the location you are fortunate you will be receiving it at.
  UPMC has an outstanding reputation using the GK procedure!
  Will you have Dr. -K?
  Russ

[tclark]

I had the GK procedure on Friday the 24th.  For the seriousness of the procedure, I was surprised at how uneventful it was.  I was in the hospital for about 8 hours total.  In answer to your question Russ, Dr. K.. was the neurosurgeon I saw, Dr. L... actually performed the GK procedure.  The tumor had not grown since the original MRI in January.  I am understanding that I will have a followup MRI in about 6 months.  Other than some discomfort at the pin sites, I am actually doing okay.  I guess only time will tell if I will have any side effects from the procedure. 

[GM]

I had the GK procedure at the University of Virginia, and not in PA...but they are similar.  The most feared part from everyone is actually not that bad...the head frame.  It has to be secured to your head so you do not move.  They put me under for less than 5 minutes and when I woke up...poof...there it was, on my head.  When it was removed it didn't hurt either.  I have a picture of it (my fiancé took pics) but cannot figure out how to post it in this reply.  If you email me (just email me using this site), I'll send it to you.  There was a 15 year old boy having it done the same day as me and he did fine too. 

The procedure took a total of 20 minutes and I was done.  Classical music piped into the gamma knife area while it was performed (hardly any noise from the machine), and I was totally relaxed.  They kept me overnight for observation, UVA provided a meal with wine, and I went home the next day.  I felt a bit tired the next couple of days like I just finished doing a bunch of yard work, or helped someone move.  Other than that nothing else and no further hearing loss.

I am part of a small percentage of people (35%) whose tumor swelled slightly after treatment.  Mine swelled from 1.8 to 2.0.  I had my treatment in November of 2003, and it finally looks like it stabilized from this last MRI (holding at 2.0).  It is getting darker in the middle which is signs of it dying.  If I have to have the treatment again, I will...surgery is not for me (personal opinion).  I have kept my word recognition scores and have not lost any further hearing.  I still am very active and am living my life normally..running, exercising, etc…

Good luck and take pictures!

Gary