Went to see the ENT today - and I am feeling so much better about my situation all round. I will post some other questions elsewhere because the ENT raised some interesting concepts I wouldn't have contemplated/considered but are valuable (or at least worthy of comment perhaps) for the entire AN crowd.
My balance tests - caloric, VEMP - came back completely normal. I am not surprised - I have absolutely no sensation of dizziness or balance lost so I wasn't surprised. Another audiogram suggested no change (well I noted a minor change at 4000 HZ on the audiogram, I dropped from 60db to 65db. Otherwise, I am in the 20-30db at the mid ranges, and 0-10db at the really low ranges - so overally very very mild hearing loss). For reference, my non-AN ear is awesome, according to the audiologist at 0-10db across the scale - I hear incredibly well off the right side.
I took a long list of questions with me - and he patiently answered them all. I really like the doctor - practical, patient, sympathetic, knowledgeable ...
Pretty much he continues to strongly encourage the W&W - but again, as always, it is the patient's choice. I did ask what would trigger treatment - which we focused on surgery only (I will go see a radiation oncologist to answer some of those questions) - and he inferred size is all that matters as I don't have ANY real symptoms other than mild hearing loss. So, his comments were when the AN shows obvious growth, but wouldn't go too far or too fast until it was getting closer to 2cm in the CPA (since I am only in the IAC - I haven't even started the count-down to 2cm yet!) It might take me years, I hope to never get there.
I have to admit, I was a bit surprised that hearing wasn't that much of a consideration ... but I will leave that for the Hearing thread.
So, I will get a referral to a radiation oncologist to ask all my questions about GK in Canada, I have a follow-up MRI in May and in the meantime, I will continue to learn, but try to shut-out the concept of a 'brain tumor' (skull based tumor is such an odd phrase!)
I am otherwise feeling tremendously relieved and beginning the process to cease thinking about this sucker constantly!
Ann
