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Old 08-13-2012, 08:52 PM   #29
NEDenise
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Philly Suburbs
Posts: 1,709
Re: Gammaknife Managed....check!

Yikes!
I certainly hope I didn't scare anyone with my description! The video link Jackie posted on the other thread shows exactly what to expect. It's the same one they showed me when they scheduled the procedure. And it's not scary at all!! Certainly not as scary as the phone call where the oncologist announces that you HAVE lesions on your brain. That, my friends is the scariest thing I've ever heard in my life.

Frankly, I'm hoping this procedure saved my life...so what's a little discomfort for a few hours. The whole thing was easier than chemo (even Herceptin), and radiation! And...I don't have brain mets anymore!

Sorry if my description sounded scary...blame it on the drugs...or the swelling I guess. I was shooting for humor...and trying to put people at ease...guess that didn't come off so well.

Trust me when I say...it was virtually discomfort free...and 100% worth it.
Denise
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1/11-needle biopsy
2/11-Lumpectomy/axillary node dissection - Stage 3c, ER/PR-14/17 nodes
3/11 - Post-op staph infection,cellulitis, lymphedema,seroma,ARRRGH!
4/12/11-A/C x 4, then T/H x 4, H only,Q3 weeks
8/26/11 finished Taxol!!!
10/7/11 mastectomy/DIEP recon
11/11 radiation x28
1/12/12 1st CANCER-VERSARY!
1/12 Low EF/Herceptin "Holiday" :(
2/12 EF up - Back on Herceptin, heart meds
4/2/1212 surgery to repair separated incision from DIEP recon
6/8/12 Return to work :)
6/17/12 Fall, shatter wrist,surgery to repair/insert plate :(
7/10/12 last Herceptin
7/23/12 Brain Mets %$&#! 3cm and 1cm
8/10/12 Gamma knife surgery, LOTS of steroids;start H/Tykerb
8/23/12 Back to work
12/20/12 Injure back-3 weeks in wheel chair
1/12/13 2nd CANCER-VERSARY!
1/14/13 herniate disk in back - surgery to repair
1/27/13 Radiation necrosis - edema in brain - back on steroids - but not back to work - off balance, poor cordination in right arm
5/3/13 Start Avastin to shrink necrosis
5/10/13 begin weaning steroids
6/18/13 Brain MRI - Avastin seems to be working!
6/20/13 quarterly CT - chest, abdomen, pelvis - All Clear!
7/5/13 finally off steroids!!
7/7/13 joined the ranks of the CHEMO NINJAS I am now Tekuto Ki Ariku cancer assassin!
7/13/13 Symptoms return - back on steroids
7/26/13 Back on Avastin - try again!
8/26/13 Not ready to return to classroom yet :( But I CAN walk without holding onto things! :)
9/9/13 Brain MRI - fingers crossed
“ Life is a grindstone, and whether it grinds you down or polishes you up is for you, and you alone, to decide. ” – Cavett Robert
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