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Author Topic: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013  (Read 77027 times)

arizonajack

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D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« on: January 22, 2013, 05:09:07 pm »
I am almost 3 hours post Gamma Knife where my Alien Life Form (4mm x 4mm x 12 mm) was bombarded with Phasers set on Kill.

I have a little discomfort and some oozing where the pins were. Otherwise I feel fine.

The treatment was short but the day was long. My friend picked me up at 5 AM to get me to St Joseph's Hospital by 5:30 AM. There were several people ahead of me in Admitting so it took about an hour to get through that process.

Next I was put in a room where I changed into the gown, had blood taken, and was given an EKG.

After that I went up to Pre-Op for some more paperwork, then was taken by wheelchair down long corridors to the Gamma Knife department where I sat on the gurney doing crossword puzzles until the anesthesiologist came in and put me out for the installation of the head frame. I woke up in about 20 minutes and thought I'd been muzzled so I wouldn't bite anybody.

Next stop was the MRI, then back to the Pre-Op room where I waited about 2 hours for my three doctors (Dr Howard, Dr Fine, Dr Howard - [joke]) to get together and develope the "Plan."

At various points during the 2 hours each of the doctors came in for a chat.

At noon I was taken to the Gamma Knife room. The actual treatment took about a half hour. The Gamma Knife machine (Perfexion) was almost 100% silent, a welcome change from the cacophonous MRI.

Then the radiation oncologist came in and removed the head frame. The nurse went over some final details and my friend picked me up and took me home.

I am a bit disappointed because I have not developed any super-powers, although I suppose that could take a while, so I'll just wait and see.

Anyway, I'll have follow-up visits with the neurosurgeon and the neurotologist in a month and my next MRI around July.

I'll update this thread if anything noteworthy occurs later.

« Last Edit: July 01, 2013, 09:29:27 am by arizonajack »
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3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

cindyjarrett

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #1 on: January 22, 2013, 05:31:44 pm »
Sounds like everything went great.  I had gammaknife on October 12, 2012, at the University of Virginia.  So far so good.  I feel great.  Just got back from Disneyworld two weeks ago.  I go back in April for my 6 month MRI.  Pray every day that it is dying and shrinking.  I will keep you in my prayers.  Any questions, feel free to ask.

Cindy
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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: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #2 on: January 22, 2013, 06:13:36 pm »
Dear Jack,

I love your positive way of looking at life "phasers set to kill" Star Trek huh? Me 2!

Only I was so nervous I could barely think of anything to shrink the tumor so I prayed and meditated.



What an imagery you have at your disposal! I'm jealous! You have killed ALF!

What a repulsive large creature! LOL!

Wishing you a Good recovery with no side effects!

Or as we say "Live long and Prosper"

Mike

Good Tude, Dude! Keep it up!
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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!

robinb

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #3 on: January 22, 2013, 06:55:34 pm »
Awesome news, glad it went so well.

Just arrived in freezing Pittsburgh. See Dr, Lunsford and team tomorrow and GK on Thursday!
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AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

millie

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #4 on: January 22, 2013, 07:09:54 pm »
Jack-Glad it went so well.  I love your writing style!  Makes us smile.  Good luck, Robin.
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PaulW

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2013, 07:45:51 pm »
Super Powers COOL!
They happen ;D

After Cyberknife I noticed my super powers are the same as this bloke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghxnKDBadSk

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10x5x5mm AN
Sudden Partial hearing loss 5/28/10
Diagnosed 7/4/10
CK 7/27/10
2/21/11 Swelling 13x6x7mm
10/16/11 Hearing returned, balance improved. Feel totally back to normal most days
3/1/12 Sudden Hearing loss, steroids, hearing back.
9/16/13 Life is just like before my AN. ALL Good!

mk

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #6 on: January 22, 2013, 09:11:18 pm »
Jack,

congratulations on completing GK. I do hope the alien is dying already  ;)
One advice (you may know it already): Apply some cold compresses at the pin sites if they are sore, to avoid swelling.

Marianna
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GK on April 23rd 2008 for 2.9 cm AN at Toronto Western Hospital. Subsequent MRIs showed darkening initially, then growth. Retrosigmoid surgery on April 26th, 2011 with Drs. Akagami and Westerberg at Vancouver General Hospital. Graduallly lost hearing after GK and now SSD but no other issues.

arizonajack

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #7 on: January 23, 2013, 12:21:09 pm »
Hey everybody, thanks for your thoughts.

The pin sites are healing up fine.

Funny story: I watched the latest episode of Supernatural last week and wondered if that was what the head frame was all about. 

Watch the episode and you'll see what I mean:

http://www.cwtv.com/cw-video/supernatural/torn-and-frayed/?play=5bc101d6-f71a-4f50-9fb4-192750f7a451
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3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

skipg

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #8 on: January 23, 2013, 02:22:48 pm »
Good choice Jack, glad everything is going ok. Your choice of treatment now makes a lot of sense to me. Spread the word and maybe give guidance and help to others.
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

arizonajack

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2013, 12:26:34 pm »
I'm probably setting the record for the most boring journal.

11 days post GK with no ill effects.

I'm taking vestibular therapy for my balance issues but those issues weren't too severe in the first place and I was seeing some improvement in the last couple of months. Likely that, after a year of balance issues, there was some compensation by the left side's balance center.

Anyway, I'm learning lots of exercises that challenge my balance. Some easy, some difficult. I have two more authorized sessions next week and then I'll be on my own with the exercises. By then my balance board and balance pad will have arrived.

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3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

robinb

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2013, 01:55:17 pm »
I think mine is more boring than yours, but I will take that prize any day.

Good luck to continuing post GK non-events!!!!
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AN Diagnosed 11-2012 right side
13mm x 7.2 mm
Gamma Knife 1/24/13
UPMC w/Dr. Lunsford
Officially a postie toastie!
See my treatment journal at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18291.0

skipg

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2013, 04:42:20 pm »
Hey guys, boring is good!! Keep up the successful journey.
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

Petrone

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2013, 10:53:40 pm »
Hi Jack,

I agree with the others that "boring/no ill effects" is good! Hope your recovery continues to go smoothly!

Also, in addition to your other balance exercises, I suggest you give Yoga a try sometime, if possible. I started taking a weekly Yoga class at my local YMCA about a year ago for occasional balance issues and now I'm hooked! Yoga's the best thing that's come out of my personal AN experience so far (well, that and a renewed appreciation for every minute of every day!).

Be well,
Petrone   
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1.4cm diagnosed 3/2010
W&W until 1.8cm by 10/2012
GK performed 4/17/2013 at Froedtert in WI
2 years after GK - 1.6cm
3 years after GK - 1.4cm

arizonajack

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2013, 08:51:08 am »
Quote from: Petrone on February 04, 2013, 10:53:40 pm
Hi Jack,


Also, in addition to your other balance exercises, I suggest you give Yoga a try sometime, if possible.

Can't quite picture me in the Lotus position. LOL.

I'm considering Tai Chi as an option.
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3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0

arizonajack

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Re: D-Day for ALF - Gamma Knife - January 22, 2013
« Reply #14 on: February 21, 2013, 06:29:26 pm »
Had my one month follow up visit with my neurotologist. Took about 5 minutes.

Him: How are you doing?

Me: I'm doing fine.

Him: Any problems to report?

Me: No.

Him: How's your balance?

Me: Working on it. Get's a little better over time.

Him: OK, MRI every 6 months for the next 2 years.

Me: OK.

Him: Bye.

Me: Bye.

Hmm, made myself bored, there.
 :P

I have a follow up next week at my neuro-surgeon's office but I'll just be seeing his nurse practitioner. I'll report on that afterward.
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3/15/18 12mm x 6mm x5mm
9/21/16 12mm x 7mm x 5mm
3/23/15 12mm x 5.5mm x 4mm
3/13/14 12mm x 6mm x 4mm
8/1/13 14mm x 5mm x 4mm (Expected)
1/22/13 12mm x 3mm (Gamma Knife)
10/10/12 11mm x 4mm x 5mm
4/4/12 9mm x 4mm x 3mm (Diagnosis)

My story at: http://www.anausa.org/smf/index.php?topic=18287.0
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