Post Radiation Swelling

[okiesandy]

Sherry,

I know what you mean about living in a wasteland. I live in Oklahoma and surgery was not an option for me here. The doctors do not have enough experience. I chose CK with Dr. Medbery in OKC. I would not change this decision. I found the Cyberknife patient support msg. board to be a great help.
I was scheduled for Trans. Lab. at HEI in L.A. canceled and opted for CK.

I had 3 doses. On the first day I went out to eat and shoe shopping with my daughter. 2nd day more shoe shopping and out to eat. Third day treated my self to an afternoon at the local casino with a friend. Took a week off to pamper myself and cleaned house and painted my bedroom.  I did have about two hours of a upset tummy one evening.

I lost a couple of small patches of hair. Nothing much different. Balance bad before treatment and not worse now, just a little different. I go for my three month MRI the first week in April. Didn't have hearing before and don't have it now. I would make the same choice again in a heart beat. I know no treatment for AN is perfect, this however seems like the lesser of a lot of evils. You may be in a wasteland, but you are not alone. I was a basket case before treatment. Just ask Suzanne (aka shoegirl). I ask her about a zillion questions. She is a few weeks ahead of me in this journey.

Sandy

[ppearl214]

Suzanne, this thread is helping me MUCH more than you know!  and I thank everyone here for sharing all that you have shared thus far. I have to admit my nerves are starting in with only 2 weeks (give or take) to go and I have my planning meeting with BI next Tuesday. You all are helping me to be realisitic in any expecations I may have, you all are sharing great info with me to help me advise my family and friends that will help be with me during that time with any potential outcomes that they should keep an eye open... and most of all, you all are giving me hope in knowing I made the best decision for me and my stoopid AN. 

As my Japanese counterparts would say... *"domo arigato gozaimasu tomadachis"


*thanks you very much my friends

[shoegirl]

Phyl,

Oh my gosh, you are so sweet!  I am happy to share.  If I hadn't read other members posts on radiation I could be telling a different story.  You are going to do just fine with the CK.  Just relax, listen to your Yanni - and before you know it your done.  Have you scheduled your mask fitting?  Be sure to make sure you feel comfortable with your mask - I was told they can make some very slight adjustment pre-treatment.  The idea of course is to make sure it keeps your head in place, but I think they can adjust the area around the chin and throat if it is uncomfortable around your neck.  I didn't find it confining but then of course I took some ativan - so I was very relaxed and sleepy and a happy girl!

The best decisions are the ones that bring you peace, and I hope you are finding some of that now in the middle of feeling anxious.  You are going to do great!   

[ppearl214]

just catching up on this thread now *waves hi to Sherry!*

Suz, hope you are doing ok since our last chat!

Did have my decadron extended since I got zapped.  Am definately having the "full" feeling but only now 4 days post last treatment.  Starting the "taper" and hoping that the "balloon in head" feeling will ease.  I know to keep an eye for symptoms down the road as well and will have a few decadron available here, if need be.  All in all, thrilled with my choice of treatment, no 2nd questioning it and now, just waiting for it to do the trick.

FYI, will have a scan (I think CT, not MRI) on May 8. They want to do a one-month post treatment check/follow up on edema at that point. I gotta say, Beth Israel is going by the true book of protocols (ok, I helped bend them a bit) with my treatment. 

FYI, Kennestone Hospital in Atlanta also just got their CK unit!

xoxo to you all!
Phyl