Need HELP!!! New to the forum !!!

[nancyann]

Hello Shiva:  Radiosurgery can be done as long as the tumor doesn't get much larger - the 22mm part of it is getting there + you need to have the radiosurgeon look at her MRI re: the position of the tumor in the brain.   The only problem  with 'watch & wait' is if the tumor grows to approximately 3.0cm, they would not be able to do radiosurgery because after the treatment the tumor 1st swells, then begins to die.  So if you wait too long, then surgery will at some point be your only option.   Now, the guessing game is that some tumors grow so slowly it may never cause a problem, some may stop growing altogether, some may grow more quickly - there is a 'gamble' factor involved with 'watch & wait'.

Some people have very few symptoms until it is quite large, whereas others have balance problems, facial problems, vision, etc.   Everyone is different.

I hope this helps,    Nancy

[Mark]

Shiva,

I think you've put together a very thoughtful list of pros and cons on the radiosurgery opposed to surgery and India vs. the US as a place for treatment

I'll offer a couple of comments that you might want to consider

Cyberknife is available only in US (not yet in India) so this is an advantage

Actually CK is available in a number of locations in Europe and asia and the latter might be easier and less expensive than flying to the US. There are a number of machines in Japan and you can find the whole list at www.accuray.com

3) Post radiosurgery followup has to be done in US.

Not necessarily, Stanford treats people worldwide and follow up can be done by sending the MRI images and following up by phone and / or e-mail. When I was treated back in 2001, the gentleman being treated after me the same three days was from either India or Sri Lanka. His follow up was going to be done remotely with Dr. Chang.

I think all your other points have a lot of merit, but in terms of either treatment option, it is important not to loose sight of the value of a highly experienced treatment team where ever you have it done

Good Luck

Mark

[Shiva]

Nancy/Mark,  Thanks for the suggestions & prayers.

Mark, Eventhough cyberknife is available in various locations in asia & europe, it is very tough to get Visa for her (since Indian citizenship) that has lot of procedures and takes a long time.
I accept your second comment.

Im gonna book my flights for 04/17 meanwhile there is a hindu community which came forward to help us. Iam going to have discussions with them this afternoon and see what they say...

[leapyrtwins]

Good luck, Shiva.

[Shiva]

Interesting...  Yoga can cure cancer...

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1072263

http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,106356,00.html

[cherrypiper]

a good friend of mine had very similar size and age Shiva , he was 70 ish. Because of his age they decided on the gamma knife procedure as it doesnt "open" up the skull like micro surgery does.

Maybe you could bring that up to your ENT.

[Suzy]

Shiva,

You are very lucky that you live in Maryland.  Johns Hopkins in Baltimore is one of the best hospitals for AN surgery. If you look on the Johns Hopkins website, you will find they are #1 in ear,nose & throat and #2 in neurology.  Your mom will need both types of doctors.   After extensive research for myself, I chose to have my AN surgery there and am glad I did.

Suzy

[Shiva]

Guys.. I'm back...Sorry for the long gap...Hope everyone is feeling good.  I'm leaving to India coming 25th with my mom and a surgery has been planned (Translab) for her tenatatively on the 29th of this month @ Apollo Hospital, Chennai.  After several opinions, researches..we gave up radio surgery and opted for surgery. My mom is okay with the surgery.  Will update you guys from India.   Pls. pray for my mom.  I Love you all. See yu...

Shiva

[Kaybo]

Good luck, Shiva.  We will keep you in our prayers.  Can you put that on the AN calendar for us?

K

[lori67]

Shiva,

Good luck to your mom and I'll send prayers for both of you.  Have a safe trip and let us know how things are going when you can.

Lori

[leapyrtwins]

Shiva -

I will definitely pray for your mom.

Thanks for letting us know what's going on.  I'll be waiting for your update, along with everyone else.

Love ya, too.

Hang in there and be strong,

Jan

[Debbi]

Shiva-

Your mom is definitely in my prayers.  I just had translab 2 weeks ago, and it was the right choice for me.  Your mom will be in my thoughts as her date draws closer and I look forward to reading your updates.  Let her know that we are all thining of her.

Debbi (two-weeks postie!)

[sgerrard]

Hi Shiva,

Best wishes to your mom, and to you. The translab surgery is a good fit for her case; I expect it to work out well. When you have a chance, do let us know how it turned out. Take care,

Steve

[leapyrtwins]

Shiva -

the AN Calendar says that your mom is supposed to be having surgery tomorrow.  I hope all goes well for her.

I'll be thinking of her (and you also) tomorrow and in the days to come and praying for a speedy recovery.

Best wishes,

Jan

[sgerrard]

Shiva,

I second that - here's hoping your mom's translab goes smoothly, and she has a good gentle recovery.

With the time zone difference, maybe it is already tomorrow in India?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Steve