Fractionated Linac Treatment Starts Tomorrow

[EJ from down under]

Well the day has finally arrived. My family and I travel from our small town of Huntly, NZ, to Dunedin to undergo treatment on this nasty little growth I have in my head. Treatment starts tomorrow. We will be in Dunedin about 6 weeks.
Dunedin is the only place in NZ where Stereotactic radiotherapy is done.
The treatment that the team down there believes is best for me is 25 low powered doses (about 2gys each) via their Linac (Novalis) machine. They believe this is the best way of preserving the hearing I have in my ear and the safest treatment since the tumour is touching the brain stem. My wife and I flew down to the hospital last week to have the cage fitted and scans taken in preparation for the treatment. All the staff were very friendly and answered all my questions. I left there confident in their ability.
I want to thank the ANA for the excellent website and all you who have have posted your experiences and expressions.
Wish me well!

[Jim Scott]

EJ ~

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers for a complication-free and very successful radiation treatment.

Jim

[Derek]

Very best wishes for a successful outcome EJ...you have that all important element of trust in those that are in charge of your treatment and we look forward to learning of your experience as you progress.

Best Regards

Derek

[sandyinwisconsin]

EJ,

I'm on my 11th treatment of 27.  We'll have to keep each other posted.  My tumor is deep in the canal, not near the brain or cochlea. 

So far, I don't have any problems.  I travel 2 to 3 hours one way each day and still work a few hours a day.

I pray during the entire treatment.  Take Care. 

Sandy

[coinman]

EJ,
I have just completed 26 FSR treatments that ended 12/05/13. The treatments were quick and painless. I did become nauseous and have headaches after  the third week. My doctor put me on Dexamethasone and that quickly ended my symptoms.I worked a full time job the entire time and only missed a few hours each day for treatments.
 Wishing you well.

[leapyrtwins]

Good luck!  Hope all goes well 

Jan

[EJ from down under]

Well 3 treatments completed, 22 to go. All seems to be going OK. No loss of energy, no headaches...yet! The ringing in the ears seems to have got loader; at least I think it has. Fingers crossed for the next few weeks.

[Derek]

Great start EJ...hang in there... have a relaxing Christmas and hoping 2014 is a very successful year for you.

Best Wishes

Derek

[Sandrawoody]

Good luck Ej,

From an aussie just across the way.
 l too have remaining hearing, despite having had surgery to remove my tumour, and l would dearly love to hang onto it.

My radiation oncologist here in Australia has suggested to me one single does SRS, it sounds like FSR would be better to try and preserve hearing.
Still researching my options, thank you for sharing your information. It allows us to go and ask more questions of our doctors, after all , we are the ones living with the consequences.

Onwards and upwards.

[lystgl]

Well 3 treatments completed, 22 to go. All seems to be going OK. No loss of energy, no headaches...yet! The ringing in the ears seems to have got loader; at least I think it has. Fingers crossed for the next few weeks.

How did the treatments go? Postings stopped after 3? I too, am considering fractionated radiation therapy and would like to know if all went well.