Gk today

[becknell]

Well, I'm sitting here at University of Virginia and my husband is having GK downstairs even as I type. They sent me to a family waiting area to wait ... and I found a computer....so I pounced upon it!!!  Better to do this than sit and worry about how he's doing. (Which I am.... ... worrying, that is.) Things have gone well so far, and the people here have been great to us, but we both sure are sick of hospitals! When we walked in Thursday and I smelled that "hospital smell" my stomach did 3 flips and I felt like throwing up. Just all tied up in kniots, I guess.  I KNOW my husband is so ready to put this behind him. (He had surgery in August at Duke for a large An. This is for the residue that was too stuck to the facial nerve.) He'll spend the night in the hospital here and we can go home Saturday morning. Then more waiting to find out if it works. HOpe things went well for you with your GK, onebadass. I'll update later.Thanks for being there. What keeps me going is knowing that we're not alone.

[HeadCase2]

  Thinking of you guys.  I hope things are going well.  I know waiting while treatment is going on is not easy.
Regards,
 Rob

[Road Trip Dale]

Good Luck...prayers are floating your way!  I know what you mean about that hospital smell.

Dale

[Captain Deb]

The thoughts and prayers and good vibes from everyone here are right there with ya!
Capt Deb

[shoegirl]

Wishing you all good things!  Good luck!

[matti]

I know that this has been a long road for the both of you, as well as your children. You are an amazing wife and mom and a constant source of inspiration and support to all of us here.

keeping my fingers crossed that it all works out.

Keep us posted and Happy Mother's Day!!

Cheryl

[Battyp]

Wishing you all the best!
Sending prayers your way!

[cookiesecond]

Hi Jennifer,
You guys have been in my thoughts and prayers all day. I know you will be glad to get this all behind you.Take care and know that we are here for you.
Keep us posted,
lynn

[Karla83401]

You both and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs,

Karla

[supermike]

 I can't help but believe that all the research will pay off  -- am narrowing my choice for GK and will be looking at mid-June at either Mayo, Barrow or U of Pitt.--I appreciate your sharing your experience with us

[Battyp]

Yeah sounds like it was successful!
 

[Mark]

Supermike,

When you chose radiosurgery did you evaluate the different machine options? If so, I'm curious why you decided on Gamma Knife over Cyberknife. I'm assuming that you weren't comfortable with the fractionated approach to treatment, but even in comparing the two on a one dose protocol the CK is slightly more accurate and does not require the headframe. While the latter is certainly something that many folks who select GK go through successfully, it never appealed to me.

If you haven't looked at different machines, of the three facilities you listed, Barrow has both and does use CK for AN's , Pitt has both but does not typically use CK for AN's because of a financial relationship with the GK manufacturer ( they use CK for everything that GK can not do) and mayo does not have a CK.

Either machines will ultimately get the job done well, but there are some differences that might b worth consideration

Good luck

Mark

[cookiesecond]

Jennifer,
I am sooooooo glad that's over. I pray it's only good news from here.
Take care and keep in touch,
Lynn

[Larry]

Sounds great Jennifer and thx for the updates as it looks like thats the way I'll be heading.

Laz

[Larry]

Cheers for concern.

I am still waiting but am organising an MRI sometime end May / early June. Have a follow up app't with a so called expert pain manager (neurologist) who is meant to be really good at reducing headache pain. Must be something in it coz it has been a 4 month waiting list (and he charges accordingly).

I was told to have annual MRI's but based on experience on this site, I'd rather spend the extra few dollars and and have one every 6 months - peace of mind issue.

As i DON'T want another op, I will be going through the GK route so must make sure that the growth doesn't start hitting parts of the brain that could prevent a GK solution or reduce the possible benefits of GK.

Laz