Four years post retrosigmoid, 9 years post GK

[mk]

I haven't been around for a long time, I hope that some people here will still recognize me! I just browsed around a bit and I saw some familiar names.
I recently had my MRI done, exactly four years after my surgery, and I am happy to report that everything looked fine, and the tiny sliver that was left along the nerve is behaving itself. I got "promoted" to having an MRI every two years.
For those new patients who have faced failed radiation and the possibility of surgery afterwards, as daunting as it is, there is always hope for a good outcome.

All the best.
Marianna

[bethtretrault]

Thank-you for your post. I needed to hear good news as I am getting ready to do retrosigmoid (no previous radio surgery, though).

[CHD63]

Hi Marianna .....

Good to hear from you again!  ..... and to read the great report on your MRI.  Maybe we are the "good luck twins" because my recent 4 yr MRI promoted me to two years before the next one, as well.

And yes, there is always hope for a good outcome!

Clarice

[ANGuy]

I am relatively knew to this board and not familiar with your history until now.  Conventional surgery after radiation is a challenge.  Congratulations on your great outcome and thanks for posting about it.  You, your family, and your team did a great job!

[Echo]

Hi Marianna,

So glad to hear from you, of course you are remembered. I'm thrilled to see you are doing so good!!! Congrats!!!   

Cathie

[mk]

Cathie and Clarice, it is good to hear from you, I am glad that things are going well.

ANGuy, conventional surgery after radiation is considered a challenge, but as I have learned, as everything else AN related it all very much depends upon the skill of the doctors. I found that some neurosurgeons had almost a "punitive" attitude after hearing about previous radiation. One of them told me that my chance for facial paralysis was 100% because of the previous radiation. BTW, I have never met one patient of this doctor who hasn't had at least some degree of paralysis, radiation or not.
My doctor however told me that for skilled surgeons the odds are not different. After the surgery when I asked him if the surgery had been more difficult than average he said "in some locations of the tumor yes, in some no". This doctor has a record of achieving excellent results, and very good recovery rates.

Marianna

[mindyandy]

Hey there guys  I haven't checked in for awhile either.  I'm glad to hear things are going well MK. Our stories are very similar. I will be having my next MRI around January. Hopefully my news will be just as good.