Hi, Dan:
It appears as if you've decided on your preferred method of treatment (radiation) and are almost set on the doctor to perform it. Thats real progress and I offer you my congratulations on coming this far under the stressful conditions you've had to endure while making these very important decisions. Good to read that you wife is 'on board' and that your job is going well, too. So far, so good.
Due to the size of my AN tumor, I didn't have the luxury of opting for either surgery or radiation. Some of us don't, as you know. Had I been given that option, I certainly would have chosen radiation - for all the obvious reasons. Still, I enjoyed the blessing of having a very experienced, relatively humble and caring neurosurgeon who offered me the option of surgery to reduce the size of the tumor, then radio-surgery to kill the tumor's DNA. He recommended this approach to save my facial/cranial nerves from damage - and it worked. My mature (older than me) neurosurgeon worked in partnership with a relatively young radiation oncologist. The radiation guy was also very good at his job and respectful of my concerns regarding nerve damage. Here I am, a year later, about 98% back to 'normal' and able to honestly tell other AN patients that there really is life after AN surgery - or radiation - as I've successfully undergone both and I'm still here to talk about it, as it were.
You are correct that, even with a totally successful outcome, you're about to pull the trigger on what will be a life-altering event. That cannot be helped. I didn't have a lot of choice due to the size of my tumor. It all happened so fast - barely 4 weeks from the initial diagnosis to my being wheeled into surgery - that I felt like a passenger on a very fast train that I couldn't get off. However, through it all, I never lost sight of the fact that I had to do this (the neurosurgeon was clearly alarmed when he saw my MRI). Fortunately, my wife of 36 years, although she has had numerous surgeries for spinal problems and has other medical issues she has to cope with on a daily basis, was my rock, my advocate and my friend throughout the entire process. She was with me from the first doctor visit and, following my surgery, spent 3 days in the ICU, sleeping on a couch in the nurses lounge. I deeply appreciated her loyalty and understood her concern. She's since confessed that, for a brief time during this period, she was afraid she might lose me. Fortunately, that wasn't God's plan and we're probably closer now than ever. A crisis can have that effect.
I believe your probable choice of either CK or GK is perfectly logical. I trust your final decision will be made with confidence. I'm sure you'll do just fine. I know we all wish the best for you, Dan, and personally, I'll keep you in my prayers.
Jim
