Good news for today

[Rivergirl]

I am calling it good news, Dr. McKenna says I can go a year before my next MRI.  I was hoping for that as I am not ready to decide what to do with it anyway, so guess I'll keep it.  The radiology report said it is up 2mm but that is still slow growth so guess I live with it.  Thanks for all your support this past year, it has helped tremendously to get to this point and be comfortable with it.

[Kathy M]

I'm happy that you have been given some breathing room!  I agree - I think it is good news - you are equipped with all kinds of info on what's going on, you know what to look for and a doctor you trust with your concerns and questions, and it's a slow grower so you've got time.  You'd rather not have it at all, but can't do anything about that.  In the scheme of things, it's all good! 

Take Care!

Kathy

[Larry]

Howdy,

Not wanting to spoil your news but I'm glad i didn't listen to my "specialists" when they told me that i didn't need an MRI for a couple of years. I was having them 6 monthly but then left it for a year and discovered that after being dormant for a couple of years, it virtually doubled in size within a year. these things are unpredicatable and i hope yours doesn't go into a growth spurt.

i was "lucky" if thats the word, that i caught it in time where I had mutliple options for treatment. If i'd left it too much longer, those options would have been narrowed and potentially more invasive.

I'd always recommend a 6 monthly MRI - best to be safe than sorry, after all, your Dr isn't the one with the growth.

Laz

[leapyrtwins]

River -

glad you got the okay to have your MRI annually. 

If you run into an increase in your symptoms, or come up with some new ones, you can always call your doctor and ask for one before the year is up.

Jan

[tatianne]

I had my MRI yearly for the past three years and all went ok..you AN is quite small so unless u have an increase in symptoms or changed symptoms I would put this all in the back of my mind until next year. Best of luck !

[NancyMc]

Rivergirl,
I remember that feeling of joy every year after the initial series of MRIs when no or minimal (2 mm) growth occurred.  Your tumor is very small, so it is likely that even doubling in size in a year (basically what mine did last year) will still allow treatment options.
Congratulations!
NancyMc

[Brendalu]

I'm with Laz on this one......................I think I need to take that advice on my NF2 and here I thought it was gonna be clear sailing until next year.  Thanks, Laz, for the reminder, I needed it.  Sometimes we get complacent.
Brenda

[28Lisa]

Knowledge is the best weapon one can have when faced with something like this
Lisa

[Jim Scott]

Rivergirl ~

My ultra-conservative neurosurgeon had me on 6-month MRI sans for 2 years, post-op, but after my last clear scan he told me an annual MRI is fine, now.  I trust my doctor. Of course, any return of symptoms would have me on the phone and asking for an MRI - and my doctor wouldn't hesitate to order one.  I'm sure the esteemed Dr. McKenna would do the same for you - or any AN patient.  That stated, I congratulate you on this small-but-meaningful victory. 

Jim