Leaving the "watch and wait" club

[NickD]

Hi all,

I am scheduled for FSRT in August.

Best of luck to all...

[Sheryl]

Nick - best of luck to you and please keep us updated on how you are doing.

[Dog Lover]

FSRT? OK, maybe I'm having a brain fart, but what is that? Radiation? 

Whatever it is...good luck.

Cathy

PS. Aug is a lucky month -- I'm 1 yr post-op in Aug. !

[Vivian B.]

Hi Nick,

Glad you are finally having treatment. I assume it's radiation. Good luck and keep us posted on your recovery.

Vivian

[NickD]

Hi Nick,

Glad you are finally having treatment. I assume it's radiation. Good luck and keep us posted on your recovery.

Vivian

Thanks all, yes it is radiation...FSRT = Fractionated Stereotactic RadioTherapy. 50 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks is the plan

Cheers,

[Jim Scott]

Hi, Nick ~

I wish you total success with your radiation treatments.

FWIW: I underwent FSR (26 sessions) 3 years ago to treat a surgically-reduced AN.  It was painless and relatively easy.  No head clamp, just a very tight-fitting plastic 'mask' that only bothers you if you're claustrophobic (I'm not).  The 'sessions' were uneventful - I drove to and from them, (a 60-mile round trip) and seem to have been successful.  My last MRI ('08) showed necrosis and shrinkage.  I hope you'll have a similar experience. 

Jim

[NickD]

That's great Jim..just the experience I'm gunning for, thanks!

Hi, Nick ~

I wish you total success with your radiation treatments.

FWIW: I underwent FSR (26 sessions) 3 years ago to treat a surgically-reduced AN.  It was painless and relatively easy.  No head clamp, just a very tight-fitting plastic 'mask' that only bothers you if you're claustrophobic (I'm not).  The 'sessions' were uneventful - I drove to and from them, (a 60-mile round trip) and seem to have been successful.  My last MRI ('08) showed necrosis and shrinkage.  I hope you'll have a similar experience. 

Jim

[leapyrtwins]

Good luck, Nick.

Jan

[frank]

Good luck Nick.
You and I have about the same length of time in the W&W category and now you have decided to take some action. I too have  about decided to have Gamma Knife radiosurgery but I am still researching the "when" and "where to have it done" issues.
Another issue that is entering the picture for me is the question of changes that the Federal Gov't may be putting in place in the not too distant future. I am 71 and certainly wouldn't want some Gov't official determining that I am too old to have the procedure I want to have. I would rather have my problem behind me before the Government takes over the health care system in this country.
Was there any significant factor that caused you to make your decision? From your electronic signature it doesn't appear that your AN has been growing. Are you just sick and tired of the waiting? Perhaps you can let us know on these points.
Keep in touch and best of luck with your procedure.
Frank

[NickD]

Hi Frank,

Yes, I'm not much for "doing nothing" and mentally I'd had enough.  My biggest hurdle was waiting long enough that the specialists were satisfied the AN was growing and would therefore give the green light for treatment.  I had a typo in the sig..fixed now.  It's still small amounts of growth but I was dreading the annual MRI and the idea that it was still growing and my hearing was suffering.  I know that my hearing could get worse following the radiation but I'm hoping not.  WRT the feds, your country isn't mine (canada) so I can't really comment except to say that I don't have any worries along those lines.

Good luck Nick.
You and I have about the same length of time in the W&W category and now you have decided to take some action. I too have  about decided to have Gamma Knife radiosurgery but I am still researching the "when" and "where to have it done" issues.
Another issue that is entering the picture for me is the question of changes that the Federal Gov't may be putting in place in the not too distant future. I am 71 and certainly wouldn't want some Gov't official determining that I am too old to have the procedure I want to have. I would rather have my problem behind me before the Government takes over the health care system in this country.
Was there any significant factor that caused you to make your decision? From your electronic signature it doesn't appear that your AN has been growing. Are you just sick and tired of the waiting? Perhaps you can let us know on these points.
Keep in touch and best of luck with your procedure.
Frank

[Mickey]

Hi Nick! It seemed that your AN was growing at minimal amounts each year. If mine was to do the same thing as yours I would probably do what your doing. I`m going for my MRI in AUG with no change so far going into my second year..  I feel good lets see what happens? In any case where are you having your treatment? Best wishes, Mickey

[LisaP]

Best of luck to you, keep us posted on how your new adventure goes!!

LisaP
Still W&W

[sgerrard]

Hi Nick,

Slow as it is, it does seem like steady growth, doesn't it? I hope you do retain all or almost all of your present hearing. I remember you posted about hearing aids and your strong interest in listening to music. Hopefully the AN will not get in the way of that.

Best wishes for a great outcome.

Steve

[Lily]

Hi Nick........... Good to hear you have made a decision for treatment.  I remember from past post that you have also seen Dr. Westerberg at St. Pauls in Vancouver.... Is it Dr. Westerberg's team that is doing the radiation as well?  How did you come to the determination of the radiation rather than surgery?  I have had a 2nd MRI in Feb. 09, and mine grew from 1.5 cm to 1.6cm, and Dr. Westerberg says to W&W another year.  Just wondering if you maybe saw another Dr. to help you with your decision.

I will be thinking of you, and sending wellness wishes for the procedure and that long term outcome be very positive.   Lily

[wendysig]

Nick,

Wishing you the best of luck with treatment.  Have you posted it on the AN calendar?  If not, please do so we can remember to wish you well that week and follow your progress.

Best,
Wendy