Dr. Sheehan at UVA

[kestes]

Hi I am looking at GK radiation for my 14-16mm AN.  I read UVA received the latest GK Icon I believe is what they call it - 2 years ago.  If anyone could tell me their experiences with Dr. Sheehan, was your GK successful, symptoms you had, etc.  I would really appreciate it!  Hoping to schedule GK treatment within the next few weeks. 

[Blw]

Search my name. I, and another guy (McCrue) both had him. I came from Texas. he trained with Lunsford (Pittsburgh) who is the best GK person. He is an MD PhD and has published ton. Their whole team was MD/PhDs and they were outstanding. Anytime I sent an email, he replied same day, even at night. They also work out of an acoustic neuroma center, which is what you want. You can't go wrong with Sheehan.

[notaclone13]

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center also has uses the GK Icon: http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/news/upmc-utilizing-new-gamma-knife-icon

So if your main concern is not wanting to have to wear the head frame (I would certainly want to avoid that) you may also want to consider UMPC.  In addition, because the Icon does not require a frame, they can administer the radiation in multiple lower doses as they do with the Cyberknife.

[kestes]

Thank you all for your responses and BLW I have searched and read a great deal of your info!  I have an apt with Dr. Sheehan for GK the last week of October!  I am excited about the opportunity to go there.  I know the headframe will be yucky but at UVA they actually put you to sleep while they apply the frame, so that is great news.  I will keep everyone posted after my treatment.  BLW did you lose your hearing, have facial spasms, etc. after GK?  Thanks so much! 

[notaclone13]

UVA has the Gamma Knife Icon: https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-among-first-use-new-tool-noninvasive-brain-surgery

The Icon does not require the head frame, it uses a mask like with the Cyberknife. It’s much less invasive than the head frame. Perhaps you won’t need the head frame.

[Blw]

Thank you all for your responses and BLW I have searched and read a great deal of your info!  I have an apt with Dr. Sheehan for GK the last week of October!  I am excited about the opportunity to go there.  I know the headframe will be yucky but at UVA they actually put you to sleep while they apply the frame, so that is great news.  I will keep everyone posted after my treatment.  BLW did you lose your hearing, have facial spasms, etc. after GK?  Thanks so much!

My hearing was pretty much gone, but I still have some. It's the recognition that is bad. Don't worry about the headframe. It seems scary, but that really is the worst part and it isn't bad. Their team is fantastic, and while I've have seen 2-3 people put the frame on, I had 6. They numb it locally and with anesthesia. Some people fall alseep, but I was wide awake and remember it all. It really is just a metal ring that goes around your head and gets attached by screwing in 4 very small pins. It is like a pit stop--they go so fast. I think it was 5 minutes and done. My only issue was one pin was near a blood vessel so the anesthetic wore off and I dealt with dull pain the whole time. But it really is nothing. It looks like you have a very small tumor so you'll be out I bet in 20-25 minutes. You listen to music the whole time and your platform hasn't stopped moving and they will be unscrewing that head frame. The team is phenomenal and as I mentioned, he is a very well published doctor. Plus Charlottesville isn't a bad weekend. We spent the day touring Monticello, it was worth it.

[notaclone13]

Kestes, hope everything went well yesterday and that you are enjoying a post-GammaKnife week-end in Charlottesville. Please come  back and post to let your cheering section here on the forum know how things went. Hoping you have minimum sid3 effects and smooth sailing from here on out.