2 Weeks - Post Gamma Knife - Dallas

[brucea]

Today is two weeks.  Most days have been good: some small headaches; 1 big headache that the dr office was able to manage from home and 1 really big headache that needed a visit to the ER this past Saturday. I may not have needed to go to the ER if my dr was in town, but even good docs need to have good family time. I am thankful for the ER visit because I had tried to manage the headache/earache on my own from 4 pm on Friday to Saturday morning at 7:56 am.  Yes, I know the exact time I finally called in because I couldn't take it any longer  . 
Upon getting the the ER,  the nurses assessed me and called my dr office.  He was young and cute but a little socially ackward according to my 23 year old daughter 
After pain meds, nausua meds and steroid IV, I was good to go.  By the time I had made the decision to go to the ER, I was in a great deal of pain (crying on the phone to the young dr I think scared him) and so they felt the need to give me another MRI to check for other problems.  NOTE TO SELF: if this happens again, don't wait so long. It was a complications that was expected- swelling of the tumor site from the GK.
Now I'm on a very powerful steriod-Dexamethason 4 mg - step down program for about 12 days. Last night was my first night without much sleep. This morning I took it at 8:15 am, hoping to lessen the sleepless night side effect. 
Other than the really bad headache/earache, all has gone well.  GK compared to real knife surgery--I'll take this anyday.

I will say, I got my first bill yesterday -  sticker shock!  Just turning on the GK cost around 44k Am I worth it--YES!
Thanks for listening and praying,
Ann

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Ann - and thanks for that update. 

Although the post-GK headache situation must have harrowing, I'm glad you were able to get relief via the ER and the prescription medications.  I like your attitude that compares your post-GK problems to those of post-surgery AN patients and finds your issues manageable.  The cost of AN surgery usually runs well over $100,000. so the cost of 'turning on' the Gmma Knife apparatus is not as mind-boggling as you might expect.  I maintain it's axiomatic that we're all worth the cost of our treatment (surgery or radiation.) 

Jim

[AnnR]

I have to tell everyone that my doctor actually gave me his personal cell phone number in the event that I started having any problems ie, facial weakness among other things you normally wtch for after GK.

The reason he did give it to me was because I had told him that prior to GK as I was preparing to get ready for the 90 mile trip I had made at lease two calls to his office and they had not gotten back with me.  I am not a demanding person but this irked me so I had to complain about it when I actually saw my doctor he assured me that if I needed him, I could call his personal cell nember.  I appreciated that so much but I actually had no problems to call him about. Thank God! and I am still doing well just have the teninitis and a little more loss of hearing.

Ask your doctor and maybe he'll give you a definite number to reach him.  this advise is simply for anyone...good luck 

AnnR

[TJ]

Ann

I had CyberKnife radio surgery and the bill was over $140,000.  Of course my insurance only paid a very small part of that as they were under contract.  Health care is soooo expensive!

TJ