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Author Topic: Gammaknife here I come  (Read 13885 times)

cindyjarrett

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Gammaknife here I come
« on: September 11, 2012, 11:19:20 am »
After visiting UVA and the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.  I have decided that gammaknife is the best decision for me.  I have read so many posts on the discussion boards which helped me make my decision.  I wish I did not have to wait a month.  Has anyone had gammaknife from UVA?  I live in Virginia and am about an hour and forty-five minutes from UVA, which factored into my decision. 

If anyone has a success story about gammaknife, I would love to hear from you.
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Diagnosed 8/9/12 with an on left side
19 mm x 17 mm x 13 mm
tinnitus with high pitch hearing loss
Will have gammaknife at UVA with Dr. Sheehan on 10/12/12
Trusting in God

MDemisay

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2012, 08:56:22 am »
Dear Cindy,

I am one happy camper after my Gamma Knife experience this June 11th past, in fact just yesterday, I passed my 4 month milestone on what I hope is a mild ride waiting for symptoms of swelling and eventual necrosis of the tumor. Dr. Sisti has said that there is a 3 to 9 month window were some symptoms may develop before necrosis (cellular death).

Happily, I have only had mild headaches and some neck pain in the couple of weeks after the procedure but I returned to work full time 2 days after the procedure. Scarring was minimal.....They faded 3 weeks after the device was removed. I have had minimal facial twitching mostly in the morning and some in the evening though.

Wishing you well on your journey! I will pray for you.

Did anyone tell you the machine is silent? They didn't tell me and I was pleasantly embarrassed when in the middle of the procedure I said "is somebody going to turn this thing on?" and my doc told me that I was halfway done! No problem, I just returned to the meditation, and in a flash it was over. The whole procedure lasted 40 minutes.


Hope it goes as pleasantly for you.

Mike

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1974 - Dr. Michelson  Colombia Presbyterian removal of 3 Arterio Venous Malformations
2004- Dr. Sisti  NY Presbyterian subtotal removal of 3.1 cm AN,
2012 - June 11th Dr. Sisti Gamma Knife (easy-breasily done)"DEAD IRV" play taps!
Research, research, research then decide and trust in God's Hands!

cindyjarrett

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2012, 12:57:05 pm »
Thanks for responding to me.  I will try and follow your posts to see how you are doing.  Feel confident in my decision.  Will keep both of you in my prayers.
Logged
Diagnosed 8/9/12 with an on left side
19 mm x 17 mm x 13 mm
tinnitus with high pitch hearing loss
Will have gammaknife at UVA with Dr. Sheehan on 10/12/12
Trusting in God

MDemisay

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  • Forever Thankful for Supportive ANA Friends!
Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2012, 01:35:35 pm »
Dear Cindy,

Please feel free to start one of your own, if you have the time.....It has been therapeutic and helpful in the healing process as well. PM me if you prefer.

Mike
Logged
1974 - Dr. Michelson  Colombia Presbyterian removal of 3 Arterio Venous Malformations
2004- Dr. Sisti  NY Presbyterian subtotal removal of 3.1 cm AN,
2012 - June 11th Dr. Sisti Gamma Knife (easy-breasily done)"DEAD IRV" play taps!
Research, research, research then decide and trust in God's Hands!

Bonnie B.

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2012, 03:51:22 pm »
I had my gamma knife procedure in March.   I only had a headache for a few days after the procedure.   I don't for a minute regret my decision to go with GK.  In fact, I go on Monday for my first
MRI post GK.   Think good thoughts that I will have a positive outcome.




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1.7 cm AN
diagnosed January, 2012 - no hearing L ear
GK surgery done March 15, 2012 at Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Ct.
Dr. Chiang and Dr. Yu

Bonnie B.

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2012, 03:40:44 pm »
Thank you Mike.  I will take all the help I can get.


Logged
1.7 cm AN
diagnosed January, 2012 - no hearing L ear
GK surgery done March 15, 2012 at Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Ct.
Dr. Chiang and Dr. Yu

MDemisay

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #6 on: September 17, 2012, 01:58:57 pm »
Bonnie,

Praying.......

Mike
Logged
1974 - Dr. Michelson  Colombia Presbyterian removal of 3 Arterio Venous Malformations
2004- Dr. Sisti  NY Presbyterian subtotal removal of 3.1 cm AN,
2012 - June 11th Dr. Sisti Gamma Knife (easy-breasily done)"DEAD IRV" play taps!
Research, research, research then decide and trust in God's Hands!

skipg

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #7 on: September 17, 2012, 05:57:05 pm »
Hi Cindy, you may already know this but UVA also has a newer GK at Riverside in Newport News, about 3 hours southeast from Charlottesville. Keeping you and Bonnie in prayers. You made a good decision. The surgeon that was overseeing me actually recommended GK as 1st treatment option.
Skip
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Self diagnosed 11/17/2010 (love the internet)
MRI 12/2010 Official diagnosis 1/3/2011 RT AN 7x6x4mm's
MRI 6/17/2011 no change still 7X6X4
MRI 7/20/2012 growth spurt to 14mm
Aug 8th consult and decided on Proton Therapy
Proton Therapy @ Hampton Proton Institute,       done on 11/20/12

cindyjarrett

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #8 on: September 25, 2012, 07:26:07 am »
Bonnie,

Thanks for updating.  Sounds good.  I still have 2 1/2 weeks till I have gammaknife.  I will keep following how you are doing.  You are in my prayers.

Cindy
Logged
Diagnosed 8/9/12 with an on left side
19 mm x 17 mm x 13 mm
tinnitus with high pitch hearing loss
Will have gammaknife at UVA with Dr. Sheehan on 10/12/12
Trusting in God

sharondaniels

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #9 on: September 29, 2012, 11:42:44 am »
You will do great!!!  they take great care of you at UVA!!  While I can think of lots of other places to be.... returning is always pleasant.
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Sharon
 1.5cm AN right side diagnosed 10/12/11
 GK 12/1/11 at UVA
from VA

It is what it is

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #10 on: October 05, 2012, 02:37:33 pm »
My thoughts are with you.  There are very positive responses from others with experience!  Let us know how you do.

Karen
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.7cm, left side AN , Tinnitus, Hearing preserved, Middle Fossa 8/1/12 at HEI, Drs Friedman and Schwartz, Sharing your story is extremely helpful to me.

cindyjarrett

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2012, 12:47:20 pm »
Hey everyone,

Just wanted to remind everyone to keep me in your prayers tomorrow.  I have just arrived at the University of Virginia for my pre-testing.  I will be having gammaknife tomorrow morning.  I have to be there at 6 a.m.  Have totally turned this over to God and have lots of people praying for me.  I will update as soon as I am able.  Thanks for all the prayers.
Logged
Diagnosed 8/9/12 with an on left side
19 mm x 17 mm x 13 mm
tinnitus with high pitch hearing loss
Will have gammaknife at UVA with Dr. Sheehan on 10/12/12
Trusting in God

kmr1969

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2012, 12:56:22 pm »
Cindy,

I met with Dr. Sheehan a few weeks ago and thought he and his staff were great.  I think you are in good hands and I am sure you will have a good and successful experience tomorrow.  I've ended up choosing microsurgery based upon my age and tumor size.  Although I wanted to avoid surgery, I think it offers me the best chance of long term success.

You will do great tomorrow and I will include you in my prayers tonight.

Ken

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2.7 cm AN diagnosed June 2012
Translab completed November 2012 at House Clinic
SSD; numbness on face and in mouth, plus poor taste buds, but happy with how I am doing so far

It is what it is

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2012, 01:30:21 pm »
Cindy and Ken, you are both in my thoughts and prayers.

Karen
Logged
.7cm, left side AN , Tinnitus, Hearing preserved, Middle Fossa 8/1/12 at HEI, Drs Friedman and Schwartz, Sharing your story is extremely helpful to me.

skipg

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Re: Gammaknife here I come
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2012, 05:08:48 pm »
Hi Cindy,
I am usually up at 6am and you will go to the top of my list. God will be with you, giving you His peace. Please let us know how everything is going. Charlottesville is beautiful this time of the year, I hope you get to enjoy some of the colors of fall.
Skip
Logged
Self diagnosed 11/17/2010 (love the internet)
MRI 12/2010 Official diagnosis 1/3/2011 RT AN 7x6x4mm's
MRI 6/17/2011 no change still 7X6X4
MRI 7/20/2012 growth spurt to 14mm
Aug 8th consult and decided on Proton Therapy
Proton Therapy @ Hampton Proton Institute,       done on 11/20/12
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