Five Years Post GK and Still Finding Recent Shrinkage on MRI

[windy]

Hi All,

This month marks my five year anniversary of GK. I had my MRI scan today and they found another 2 mm's of shrinkage for my tumor! Though the MRI scan was not done on the same MRI machine as last year (which they preferred), they still felt it appeared to be 2 more mm's of shrinkage from last year. During this year, I had experienced a sudden bout of extreme dizziness in May that followed with a couple of months of mild dizziness. This was not characteristic of previous symptoms for me. Due to this new symptom, they did check my MRI scan for signs of swelling and any possible blood issues within the tumor, but did not find any.

My tumor has not followed what I would call a normal path, AT ALL! For those of you who are worried that your tumor will never shrink, please keep the FAITH! My tumor started showing progress of shrinkage at the 4 year mark and has continued into the 5 year mark. I am thrilled to say the least!

I hope this message will be encouraging to others who may be searching for information when you have been told "you have growth" more than once in your journey. Though some situations will not allow for the waiting period as with a larger tumor, if it is small it may well be worth the wait and avoid any further treatment. Shrinkage can occur at a later date! Again, please keep the faith! Prayers can be answered!

Windy

[Petrone]

Hi Windy,

That's great news!  I just had GK earlier this year and hearing success stories like yours is very encouraging.  Thanks for sharing!

Petrone 

[robinb]

Windy-

That's awesome news. Congrats!

Thank you so much for posting this update as its unusual to see someone take the time to post with positive long term results.

[mk]

This is so awesome Windy, you know how happy I am for you. 
For sure your story provides strong evidence that people shouldn't panick at the first sign of regrowth and when they experience increases in their symptoms post radiation. Shrinkage can happen in the long term.

Marianna

[TJ]

Thanks Windy

I have had no shrinkage in 3 years, this give me great hope!

TJ

[windy]

Thank you all for your replies above. I know when I did not see results in my MRI scans I searched throughout old posts to see if anyone had been in a similar situation. I also found hope in someone (can't remember their name now) who had shrinkage after several years. I really do hope that the above post of my experience can help others in the future if they find their tumor is not shrinking as they had hoped earlier on after radiation.

[Alison]

Hi windy,

thanks for posting your good news! it is helpful to those of us more recent post toasties who only seem to have swelling at present!

Alison.

[GM]

Windy,

Great news!!  Always like to see these kind of posts!