~Mighty Oak's Gamma Knife~September 10, 2008~

[Believe51]

Wanted to ask for some prayers on the 10th for Ed's Gamma Knife Procedure. We are quite confident that this will do the miracles we are begging for. Good thing is from the last set of scans, especially the Petscan, the rest of the body came out clean from the head down. If we can manage these new but aggressive brain mets.....I know we shall be dancing with NED finally!!>>Believe51

PS: The Neurosurgeon spent over a half an hour just talking about 'music' with the big guy. We are completely confident with his medical knowledge and rather impressed with his bedside manner. Besides, anyone that can talk THAT deep and long about music with Ed is a surefire winner in his book. (wink, wink!).

[Ceesun]

So glad to know an action plan is in the works. I will send along some prayers. Ceesun

[Mary Anne in TX]

I'll be praying for you both!

[Joan M]

Marie,

You and Ed are in my prayers. He's very brave, as are all the sisters here who have used either the Cyber or Gamma Knife to fight their brain mets. I'm so thankful that you have this option.

Joan

[dhealey]

Prayers coming your way. God Bless!

[WomanofSteel]

I will definitely keep you both in my prayers.

[karenann]

I believe the gamma knife will do the job!

Prayers being sent.

Karen

[Joe]

Marie,
This should cheer you up:

Surgery without a knife

Gamma Knife is a very precise and effective instrument that uses radiation to treat the brain and is often called radiosurgery. Using this method, doctors are able to focus radiation directly, and very precisely, on the target in the brain without affecting surrounding healthy tissue.
Studies show strong treatment success rates; for example, local control (successful treatment of a specific site) of tumors in any brain location exceeds an average of 85%. And, despite the name, there is no blade or knife – it’s called Gamma Knife because radiosurgery (one-session treatment) has such a dramatic and precise effect in the target zone that the changes are considered ‘surgical.’ So there’s no incision or blood, and minimal risk of complications.

[Jackie07]

Yes, Marie, we will be praying for Ed. Joe is right. Gamma knife is a 'radiosurgery' which is more of a radiation treatment than a 'knife' surgery. The powerful treatment and the gentle effect to the surrounding normal brain tissues makes it a top choice for people who have things growing in their brain.

I had three 'shots' back in 2001. I did get tired easily for a while - perhaps less than 2, 3 weeks. We'll keep you in our prayers.

[chrisy]

Marie (and Ed),
You are ALWAYS in my prayers - and I will specifically focus on the upcoming gamma knife date. It is so good that you are comfortable with the doctor both as a clinician AND as a human being.

All my love, and prayers for a successful procedure

Chris

[Becky]

Dear Marie

No need to ask, the prayers are already being said.

[Bill]

Marie, you and Ed are both in my prayers. Thanks for keeping us posted. Love, Bill

[Patty F]

Marie and Ed....You are both in my prayers. Soon again you will be dancing with NED.

[StillHere]

Marie and Ed.
I am so glad to see that you are both still fighting the good fight. My thoughts have always been with you. Just could not get my fingers to log on. I have a lot of catching up to do. Love Always, Karen

[mariapiedra]

I'm new to the site, I've been reading your inspirational stories. I'll be sending prayers your way.

[Leslie's sister]

Marie:

I'm praying right now Marie.

Love,

Lisa

[schoolteacher]

Marie,

You and Ed will be in my prayers.

Amelia

[Sheila]

Dear marie
Know that I am holding you both close to my heart, and always in my prayers....may Sept. 10 come quickly and be successful...you both so deserve it!!!!
Love and Hugs

[juanita]

My prayers will be with you both! He's so lucky to have you!

[SoCalGal]

Hi Marie (and Ed)-
Compared to what you've endured the gamma is a cake walk. I went in at 7 and was home by 11:00. Only took a half of an ativan. The nurse said I seemed nervous which totally pissed me off since she had never met me. After pointing that out to her she backed off. My doc was great and when I said I needed a minute he completely stopped and just gave me a second to catch my breath. There was no pain. It was a very weird sensation when they "screw" the halo into your head. Not painful but a weird pressure that is just so un-natural that I needed a second to adjust before he continued. The brain surgeon did the screwing. Haha. The radiation oncologist assisted and apparently there was also a physicist or something like that doing calcs in the other room. Once they get the halo on the "hard" part is over. They will then do a scan where they click you into place for a precise mapping. Again - weird but if I can do it anyone can. The ativan really helped take the edge off my nerves. This scan gets to the micro slices in the brain so they ensure that there are no more spots to zap and that they zap all they see. Next you wait about 30 minutes while they do the calcs and planning. The only thing you can do at this time is just sit very still as this halo is on your head but also helmut like and in front of your face a little bit. I was able to drink through a straw. The actual gamma was less then 10 minutes if I remember correctly. I only had one spot to zap so it can vary on the number of little spots. Once the zapping is done they quickly just unscrew the halo and you are done. They wrapped my head in gauze for about 15 minutes to make sure I wasn't bleeding and that I felt fine (which I did). They did not shave my hair or put any excessive dressing on when I left. My head felt oddly numb for several days around the screw holes. I was slightly bruised but went out that weekend for sure. I went home on gamma day and rested but the next day and weekend I was fine. I did not have any pain or bad headache. It was really a miracle treatment. I know it will work the same miracle for you! Feel free to pm me if there is anything else I can say and sorry if I said more than you wanted to hear. xo xo Flori

[Believe51]

Wanted to say that this almost did not happen for us due to coverage stop on August 31! I had to make about 30 phone calls to find someone that could break the rules and treat him as a person.....not a $5,130 flex co-pay, not a number, not a cancer patient.....for 60 seconds please look at him like a person! Uggh! I let them know that after the gamma knife we WOULD have coverage and the most we would owe is $3,000 (-Fridays Zometa/Faslodex)

We did it. From the grace of God someone broke the rules and appproved this procedure. They took a chance and I shall make good on this.

Do not fret our friends, we are fine. We are not scared as one may think, I even though I would be more nervous. We need this and cannot wait to have it done.

I asked if I could take pictures since this may be the only time I see him in a "HALO"..LOL. Kidding, he IS my Angel!!

So as Jackie Gleason would say.....

....And Awaaaay Weee Go!!
Love to all>>Believe51 & The Mighty Oak

[jones7676]

They always take a picture of me in my halo at the hospital (gamma knife and stereotactic)...it is the only time I look angelic! I'm positive all will go well for you. I will be waiting to hear.

[caya]

Big prayers coming from the Great White North tomorrow for Ed, Marie.

all the best
caya

[Sheila]

Marie and Ed
You will both be in my prayers tomorrow...know that you are in many hearts as you go through this.

[WomanofSteel]

Marie, Just wanted to wish you and Ed luck tomorrow. You are both in my prayers!

[Joan M]

Marie,

Please give Ed my best wishes for his procedure on the 10th. I'm praying that the Gamma knife knocks out the brain mets for good and you'll continue sailing to NED after passing that wave.

Joan

[Mary Jo]

Me too Marie...I pray all is successful.

Mary Jo

[Soccermom2006]

Marie,
Praying all goes well,
Marcia

[Faith in Him]

Just adding my prayers for a sucessful procedure tomorrow.

Hugs to you both,
Tonya

[lilyecuadorian]

I sure in my heart that everything is going to be OK tomorrow Ed is in God hand tomorrow ....

[chrisy]

marie,
I'm praying NOW since I'll probably still be asleep tomorrow when Ed is getting ready to go. I'm thankful that we live in an age where someone can literally walk into the clinic with brain tumors and walk out tumor free. God be with you both tomorrow.

Much love
Chris

[Kavy]

Marie,
I am praying for Ed's procedure tomorrow to be successful, and to bring him to NED very soon.
What a stressful time you had with the insurance company. I am glad you solved the problem, and they will pay for the procedure.
God bless you both.
Hugs and prayers,
KarlaV.

[madubois63]

I will be praying for Ed, you and the medical team that will be administering the gamma knife (quick and steady hands). NED sounds so good...

[Jackie07]

It will take a while before the scan shows the cancer's retreat. But shrink it definitely will. Will be praying for the procedure today.

Watch out for the 'screws' pressed on the head. I remember they did cause me some pain afterwards.

[janieR]

Marie, I am thinking of you and Ed all the time. You are such an inspiration and and I am praying all goes well. God bless you both.

Janie

[Vi Schorpp]

I'm sure this has been a trying day, and with all the best wishes and support from this board I'm sure it went well.

[Margerie]

Thinking of you and Ed today....
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o304/snake10b/2510993811_3876ca1bcf.jpg