gamma knife

I am scheduled for gamma knife next week and dont know what to expect. Can someone who has experienced it, tell me? I've had surgery to remove a tumor already plus had wbr almost a year ago. Not looking forward to feeling bad again!! The good news is that it appears that the adriamycin I'm taking is working on smaller brain tumors. Thanks for your input. Julie

Julie,

I've had Gamma Knife twice.
I'll explain the procedure. It sounds worse than it is. First they will apply a local anasthetic on 4 places on your head. They then fit you with a metal helmet, which is full of holes, which is screwed into place. You are then given an MRI with the helmet in place.
The MRI information is then fed into a computer which determines through which holes the radiation will pass through, how much radiation and the duration.
You are then placed into the machine and the radiation is given. After radiation you are given some Tylenol or other painkiller and sent home.

Unlike WBR, no fatigue, no hair loss.

Hugs,and also wishing you success.

Christine

I am curious! You state that you are taking Adriamycin for BRIAN TUMORS. We have a string of posts below where there are questions about the Blood-Brain-Barrier.
Would LOVE to know more about the chemo for brain mets. Please give some details.
Best of luck with the Gamma Knife. I know people who had it for other types of brain tumors and they are just fine.

I had WBR last summer, but had a persistant tumor of about 2.4 cm, also some small ones that began to increase in Feb. I was also diagnosed with leptomenigeal disease and given 14 weeks to live (that was 13 weeks ago). I started on the adria. because not only did I have brain mets, but liver and lung. The dr. said there are studies showing that adria does cross the blood/brain barrier. They also place a Omaya resor. (sp?) in my brain and gave me mexotrexate through that. Yesterday, found out I have only 8 small tumors, from 18 and the leptomenge cannot be seen on the MRI. I do show a small reoccurance where they took out the large tumor 8 weeks ago...that's why the gamma knife. I am having a hard time believing the adria worked but that is what the dr is crediting.
Thanks, Julie

Julie,

What a frightening, rough time you've had. Just wanted to say I'm so thankful you're a fighter and that you're still here to talk about it. Please do keep us posted with your recovery progress.

Love and healing light,

Lisa

Julie,
I'm wishing you well in your treatment process, and sending prayers your way. You are clearly a fighter and have the will to prevail. Do keep us posted on your treatment as we will be here to support you.
Love, Lolly

Hi Julie,
Hope you're doing well. If you get a chance would like to hear how the gammaknife worked for you. Sounds like you're a true "cancer fighter". Isn't it irritating when doctors openly predict how long you can survive? Sounds like, once again, they've been proven wrong.
I was very interested in the drugs you took for your brain mets. My sister, with mets to liver, bones and brain has just finished WBR. She just started Herceptin, but has not been able to take TaxeI with it as she is just too weak. They are running tests to find out if it's a reaction to the steriods. She was hopitalized yesterday morning. It's good to know there are still more "tricks in the hat", particulary because she, too, has several clusters of tumors on the brain. Let's pray that these "tricks" last until a true cure! Keep up the fight...and please keep us posted. I predict a good outcome for you.
Celina