I wanted to let you know I am back from my GK treatment in Pittsburgh with Dr. Lunsford. All went well. I am glad to be home!
I met with a team of three at the Gamma Knife Center at UPMC Presbyterian on Monday of last week. I had all my questions in mind. They were all answered. I requested the Perfexion GK model, as I had read there was less radiation fallout to healthy tissue from this model, as from previous models. I was told by Dr. Lunsford they would give me 12.5GY around the perimeter of the tumor and double the dose in the center, I believe. I was instructed to arrive at 5:50 a.m. the next morning.
The procedure on Tuesday was basically as I had imagined. I had a great nurse who took care of me from beginning to end. Each person apparently has one nurse the day of treatment. My nurse was Deborah (sp?). Early on, I was told given an Ativan to take the edge off. Later, I was given sedation through an IV. The head frame was put in place. I was not quite aware of it being placed on very much, as I was quite sedated. You can also ask for an additional shot if you can feel pain from the head frame. I was taken for a MRI with the frame in place. I was still sedated, for the most part. Finally, I was taken in a room for the radiation treatment. I was given a little more sedation through the IV. I told Dr. Lunsford prior to entering the machine to "do a perfect job". He stated he would. Coming out of the machine, I asked if he had done "a perfect job" and he stated he had! Later, the headframe was taken off. It was uncomfortable being taken off, but you are still sedated. At this point, it is all over for the nomal patient.
In my case, I am not the "normal patient". I passed out after the headframe was removed. I have fainted several times throughout my life, so I am not totally surprised. Who knows why it happened. Anyway, I was awakened by a large team of physicians trying to wake me up. I could tell by their faces, it was not usual. I reassured them I was a fainter. I choose to stay the night at the hospital due to passing out. I slept most of the day. I was given Tylenol and Motrin for head pain. I slept well that night in my private room. I had a tremendous team of nurses on the 8th floor of the hospital! I went back to my hotel the next morning. I felt pretty good that day.
I have not been given steroids, post radiation. Apparently, it is not their standard procedure. I still have headaches daily, but not as pressure filled, as last week. My head feels numb on the left side, still. I feel pretty well, otherwise. I was instructed to not use hair products for 10 days, post radiation, due to pin sites. Since returning home, I have slept great! I have some fatigue, but not an extreme amount, at all. Overall, I feel fairly well. It has not been an absolute breeze, but it has not been terribly hard, by any means. I am quite thankful.
I am quite pleased to have had treatment with Dr. Lunsford. The staff at the GK Center and the hospital were great. I was told that patients come from other countries to have treatment with him. There was also another lady from Chicago, IL with an AN who was receiving treatment the same day. Treatments are done Tuesday and Friday. Three patients received care the day I was there.
I went back to see the team the day I left. They were very friendly and surprised I looked so well. Dr. Lunsford said it is about a chance of 1 in 1000 of passing out. He said they are usually men. I was glad to say good-bye and quite thankful all was well and it was over.
I want to thank the terrific group of people on this board who helped support me in my decision making process. This board is truly invaluable. As stated before, I would not be where I am today without all of you! Thank you.
