Author Topic: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays  (Read 3632 times)

Joey

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Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« on: August 14, 2008, 11:57:17 am »
Hey, just a weird question.  I am (almost) scheduled for GK the beginning of October - is it ok to have a scheduled mammogram or dental x-rays at this time?  I am just starting on this site, so slowly learning my way around, but could find nothing on this...  I would love to skip my 6:45 am mammogram appointment tomorrow! ;)   I have calls in to the neuro's nurse as well as to the facility I'm having the mammogram done at....  anyone know??   Thanks, Joey
Left sided AN.  GK over and done with at Mayo Clinic on
10-2-08; according to Dr. Link, AN measured 15 mm in greatest posterior fossa diameter; used 11 isocenters of radiation to cover tumor volume of 2.3 cm3.  Follow up on 4-14-09 indicated necrosis, no change in tumor size and less hearing, darn

Sue

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Re: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2008, 12:17:34 pm »
You might check in with your GK team at the facility that you are going for the procedure and ask them.  That's what I'd do, anyway.  My last dental x-ray was done digitally on new equipment and uses much less radiation.  Ditto my mammogram.

Sue in Vancouver USA
Sue in Vancouver, USA
 2 cm Left side
Diagnosed 3/13/06 GK 4-18-06
Gamma Knife Center of Oregon
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Sefra22

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Re: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2008, 07:02:07 pm »
I had my scheduled mammogram last year 2 months after GK.  I did however ask if I could wait a year for the dental x-rays, and my dentist said it wouldn't be a problem. This was a personal decision for me, I was not given any direction or medical advise that it was not safe. I just felt that between the MRI's, CT scans and GK that I had been "zapped" enough in the head for 2007. :P
Lisa
Lisa from Portland, Maine age 46
Diagnosed June 2006
15mm X 17mm AN right side 80% hearing loss
GK March 14,2007 Dr. Noren, Providence RI
1 Year follow-up MRI shows "slight shrinkage".
2 Year follow-up MRI shows "No Change".
3 Year follow-up MRI "stable".
BAHA surgery 4-22-09 BP100 Sept. 2009

Joey

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Re: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« Reply #3 on: August 15, 2008, 07:46:50 am »
 ;D   I know, I know, the zapping just never ends, does it??  Thanks ladies, I did go and have that done this morning.  My neurosurgeon actually called me yesterday at 4:30 and said no problem; but you know, I'm so NEW here that I don't even know what I should actually be worrying about yet!  Thanks for your reassurances and your knowledge.  Lately I've been dumping my regular friends and just coming here.  Thanks again and have a great day!  Joey
Left sided AN.  GK over and done with at Mayo Clinic on
10-2-08; according to Dr. Link, AN measured 15 mm in greatest posterior fossa diameter; used 11 isocenters of radiation to cover tumor volume of 2.3 cm3.  Follow up on 4-14-09 indicated necrosis, no change in tumor size and less hearing, darn

Anomar11

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Re: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« Reply #4 on: August 15, 2008, 11:35:22 am »
Joey, Glad to know the answer to this question as I had wondered the same thing.  When I had my consult at Mayo, I asked about how far in advance I should schedule, and I thought they said 2-3 weeks for GK should be enough.  Just curious, re: your potential Oct 2 apt. - are they scheduling that far out or were you looking at that time frame? 
Thanks,  Mona
L An diagnosed 5/08 2.0 x 1.1 x 1.3 cm.  Cyberknife Stanford Drs Chang and Gibbs Nov '08.  One yr: 2.1 x 1.4 x 1.6, Two yr: 2.2 x 1.5 x 1.8, Three yr: 1.9 x 1.5 x 1.5, Four year 1.6 x 1.1 x 1.1, Six yr: 1.4 x .7 x .9

Joey

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Re: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2008, 11:51:22 am »
Joey, Glad to know the answer to this question as I had wondered the same thing.  When I had my consult at Mayo, I asked about how far in advance I should schedule, and I thought they said 2-3 weeks for GK should be enough.  Just curious, re: your potential Oct 2 apt. - are they scheduling that far out or were you looking at that time frame? 
Thanks,  Mona
  Hey Mona:  I had suggested a couple of dates that might work best for me - I think Dr. Link may be gone the last part of September, so that's how we came to October 2nd.  Did you see Drs. Driscoll and Link too?  I was also told about 2 wks. to schedule, must be their standard timeframe.  I would compare Mayo to a well-oiled machine, things went smoothly there for me, so far at least.  It's kinda like thinking about a big dental appointment right now.  I have left a message with Link's nurse, Marina, and she hasn't yet confirmed that I'm set for 10-2-08; perhaps she is off for the weekend, it's beautifully sunny here and I suppose they get time off too!  Take care, Joey
Left sided AN.  GK over and done with at Mayo Clinic on
10-2-08; according to Dr. Link, AN measured 15 mm in greatest posterior fossa diameter; used 11 isocenters of radiation to cover tumor volume of 2.3 cm3.  Follow up on 4-14-09 indicated necrosis, no change in tumor size and less hearing, darn

Anomar11

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Re: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« Reply #6 on: August 18, 2008, 07:34:29 am »
Thanks for the reply, Joey.  Yes I had Driscoll and Link also.  It's my understanding they're the main team for AN's there.  I agree it's like a well-oiled machine at Mayo.  Everyone was telling me I'd be escorted all over for a battery of tests.  I was expecting the "worst" and was pleasantly surprised when they said there was no need to put me through tests as it wouldn't make a difference in how I'm treated.  While surprised, I found that somewhat refreshing this day in age when many hospitals run every test possible just to error on the side of safety, and I'm usually questioning if it's necessary.  Anyway all the best to you.  Take care.   Mona
L An diagnosed 5/08 2.0 x 1.1 x 1.3 cm.  Cyberknife Stanford Drs Chang and Gibbs Nov '08.  One yr: 2.1 x 1.4 x 1.6, Two yr: 2.2 x 1.5 x 1.8, Three yr: 1.9 x 1.5 x 1.5, Four year 1.6 x 1.1 x 1.1, Six yr: 1.4 x .7 x .9

Joey

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Re: Urgent Question re. GK / having mammograms or dental x-rays
« Reply #7 on: August 19, 2008, 07:58:36 am »
I agree, it's quite a place.  The only surprise I had at Mayo was they were extremely interested in doing a hearing test, Dr. Driscoll made arrangements on the spot for me to fit me in to see the audiologist, who was wonderful also..... they will do yet another hearing test when I'm there the day before the GK.   Those are starting to make me nervous, too.  Between the tinnitus, the foamy ear pluggies that make noise when you wiggle, and the sound of my breathing, I have to REALLY concentrate.  And I swear I can hear better when I keep my glasses on.  Sounds like a grandma thing, doesn't it??   Actually, I'll never be a grandma, so no need to worry!  The audiologist found my case interesting.  Coincidentally, I have a perforated eardrum in the tumor ear - they are not for certain how much hearing loss is due to that and how much to attribute to the AN.  But it was nice to be considered interesting, even for a moment.   - Joey   
Left sided AN.  GK over and done with at Mayo Clinic on
10-2-08; according to Dr. Link, AN measured 15 mm in greatest posterior fossa diameter; used 11 isocenters of radiation to cover tumor volume of 2.3 cm3.  Follow up on 4-14-09 indicated necrosis, no change in tumor size and less hearing, darn