Dear All,
Well I brought the results of my reports and CT scans with/without contrast in and we found out something (the incredible shrinking tumor DEAD IRV) that had eluded us and had in fact appeared to the radiologists at Verrazano Radiology not to have changed demonstrably much when comparing the CT scans of October 2011 with June 11, 2013.
On comparing the 3 testing periods together however, one detects a totally different story.( I had gone to NY Presbyterian Hospital to have the Gamma Knife procedure on June 11, 2012 and had the tumor targeted there prior to undergoing the procedure (which was relatively painless).
I should point out however, that prior to the October 2011 IRV was smaller and Dr. Sisti decided that we both should attempt to curtail its growth.
Comparisons show the following:
1. October 2011 1.8 X 1.3 cm Verrazano Radiology (Staten Island)
2. June 11, 2012 1.9 X 2.7cm NY Presbyterian (pretargeting levels)
3. June 11,2013 1.8 X 1.3cm Verrazano Radiology (Staten Island)
This without my neurosurgeons saying it appears to me to be quite a signifigant change even though it only appears to have shrunk back to October 2011 levels, can I expect more? It is difficult to say. Only time will tell! I will find out Dr. Sisti's opinion on July 22nd when I meet with him.
At this point,I am very greatly relieved, is all I can say! During the past two months the facial twitchyness has diminished quite a bit. In that at the height of it it used to go on above my left eyelid, underneath my left eye, above my left side of my mouth, beneath my left side of my mouth all at once. Now it has calmed down to include beneath my left eye, but even that is only at times. Now all I can complain about is the relaxed way the left side of my face appears when I smile so in light of that I don't smile as often. Which at first was difficult because of my cheerful personality! Oh well, I'm smiling inside!
Thank you everybody for your well wishes and prayers!
Mike