Hi,
Warning...this is kind of wordy
I've been lurking around this place since I was diagnosed with a 3.3 cm AN via MRI due to hearing loss in September. It's kind of funny. I'm an industrial hygienist and one of the things I do is measure workers' exposure to noise and provide training on noise induced hearing loss. During my training, I explain the various types of hearing loss, including conductive, sensorineural, sociocusis, etc..., I was convinced my problem was conductive/obstructive due to wearing hearing protectors so often, so I didn't bother having it checked for over a year. Boy was I wrong...Anyway, once it was discovered, I was referred to Dr. Peter Weber at the Cleveland Clinic. Great guy by the way! After reading these forums, I really didn't want to go the surgery route, but knew I was pushing the size limit for radiosurgery, however, I would do what was necessary. When I met Dr. Weber, the first thing I asked him is would I be eligible for gamma knife. He said I was and that he actually will go as large as 4cm. He also performs surgery, so I don't think he was truly biased one way or the other. He had me meet with the Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Suh. He informed me of the options, gamma, fractionated, surgery. Since I already lost the hearing in my left ear, gamma seemed the way to go. Next was waiting for my gamma knife date. Dr. Weber only has the use of the gamma knife once/month. While vacationing at Disney World a few weeks ago, I got my call. New Years Eve would be the date.
Here is my timeline for yesterday's procedure. I arrived yesterday morning at Cleveland Clinics Gamma Knife Facility at 7:30. Head frame was attached at 8:00, mild sedative administered thru IV, lidocane injections in my head, slight stinging/burning sensation that didn't last too long ~5 minutes or so. At 8:30 I was wheeled over to the MRI. It only took 10 minutes. I asked why so short, they said they already had the target area, didn't need to do a full scan. Next I wheeled over the CT unit. Again, very short ~5 minutes or so. Back to the waiting room. It took 2 hours to program my treatment, this was the longest part of the day. Once they were done, the came to get me and told me I'd be in the unit for 52 minutes. Kind of uncomfortable having my head clamped to the machine for so long. My nurse told me I could move my feet, legs, hands and shoulders, but whatever I do, do not touch my head during the treatment. So of course, my nose and ears start itching, as if knowing I couldn't do anything about it
I brought along Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon for my mood music. Nothing like listening to a song called Brain Damage while my brain is potentially being, uh, damaged
?
Oh, I was also given two large syringes of a steroid thru my IV prior to entering the Gamma Knife unit. The nurse told me it was to jump start the steroid treatment. I was given a prescription for a 7 day cycle, beginning today.
Once I was finished, the head frame was removed. This was the worst part of the treatment. I could feel the screws turning in my head, just kind of a weird sensation. Once they were all out, the two holes in my forehead really started to hurt. The nurse told me that was normal, and for some reason it's alway the two in front, not in back. She gave me a couple of Tylenol and said the pain should go away in 2 hours. It pretty much did, with the help of a few beers to celebrate the New Year. I also managed to cook a 6 lb rib roast and cedar planked mashed potato's on my big green egg last night
They gave me a pillow sleeve to take home for leakage, which it did a little. I have a followup on Jan. 12 and also a consult with audiologist that is the BAHA guru at the Clinic. So far, so good.
Thanks for reading. Also, if anybody in the NE Ohio area has questions about Dr. Weber and the Cleveland Clinic, I'd be more than happy to speak to them.
Happy New Year, 2009 certainly went out with a bang!
