Yes, the Gamma is a one day affair and is screwed into your head. Although this does not sound too appealing, it was bearable per Ed. The next few days of healing allows these sites to drain and feel quite numb, with a little headache. Again, bearable. He did need to have WBR since the first set of mets was 'salted' like you sprinkled the shaker over his brain. The WBR worked wonders and allowed us to get rid of the for the most part. Again, he had little choice about this decision and we wished we could have avoided that altogether. The first Gamma he had was for 10 mets all under 9mm but this is not the normal amount. They do like to remain Gammering under 6 mets, 10 is a lot of work but he needed to take those risks. It was a long day for him that time because his spine would not allow him to lay that long consecutively. Ed was there from early morning until very late night, this is not the norm either. For the most part, the second Gamma went well and rather quickly with his 5 mets, home by 6pm. There were 5, of them 3 were new, one might have been a met and the 5th was a previous met the doctor thought was 'angry' (still laughing at that). Both Gamma's were productive in producing the results we needed. The worst part of much of this was the reactions to the Decadron.
As a caregiver, witnessing both procedures, I felt comfortable with the research done, the GammaMan himself, but especially the results. This is a very scary thing to hear the words 'brain' and 'radiation' in the same sentence. In fact, it stinks!! In your situation the same will hold true. You will working with a respected and top notch doctor/facility. You are doing your research, gathering knowledge and ammo. I have complete confidence that things will work out wonderfully for you, Alice. You are always in my prayers and I embrace you as you move forward with your quest.
Keep your spirits up and remember you are not alone. We are following right by your side and will see you through this. I have faith that whatever you chose it will be the best solution for you. Most of these brain procedures produce miraculous results for many. And please note....the brain is an amazing organ. It is strong and vibrant, responds well to radiation and heals great! Whatever you chose it will be a decision that was well thought out.
Saying a special prayer for you right now. I am also sending positive healing thoughts your way. Be confident in the doctor, procedure of choice and your final decision. Things will work out from there. It will all fit together like a puzzle.>>Believe51
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9/7/06Husband 50yrs=StageIV IBC/HER2+,BoneMets10/06TaxotereX10,'H'1X wk,Zometa,Tamoxifen4/12/07Last Tax5/18/07Pet=Rapid Cell Activity,No Organ Mets,Lytic Lesions,Degeneration,Some Bone Repair5/07ChemoFail6/01/07Pleural Thoracentisis=Effusions,NoMalignantCells6/19/07+7/2/07DFCI
6/25/07BrainMRI=BrainMets,Many<9mm7/10/07WBR/PelvisRad37.5Gx15&Nutritionist8/19/07T/X9/20/07BrainMRI=2<2mm10/6/07Pet=BoneProgression
10/24/07ChemoFail11/9/07A/Cx10,EndTam12/7/07Faslodex12/10/07Muga7512/13/07BlasticLesions1/7/08BrainMRI=Clear4/1/08Pet=BoneImprovement,
NoProgression,Stable4/7/08BrainPerfect5/16/08Last A/C8/26/08BrainMets=10(<9mm)9/10/08Gamma10/30/08Met=5mm12/19/08Gamma5mets5
12/22/08SpinalMets1/14/09SpinalRads2/17/09BrainMRI=NoNewMets4/20/09BoneScan5/14/09Ixempra6/1/09BrainMRI=NumerousMets6/24/09DFCIw/DrBurstein6/26/09Continue
Ixempra/Faslodex/Zometa~TM now lower7/17/09Stop Ixempra By Choice9/21/09HOSPICE10/16/09Earned His Deserved Wings And Halo=37 Month Fight w/Stage 4 IBC, Her2+++,My Hero!!
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