Nearing the end! Yippie!

Frank Browne

Frank Browne

Final Approach
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Apr 28, 2005
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FB
Next Tuesday I'll be undergoing a Gamma Knife procedure that will hopefully end this eight year ordeal with this thing in my head. The surgery I had this past May was successful in that it reduced it's size making it more likely the Gamma Knife will be able to kill the last of it.

I have truly been blessed this time around with the best medical care I could hope for! Every medical professional I've had to deal with has been extremely caring, compassionate and professional! From the very first time I met my new neurosurgeon he has using language like "cure" whenever I saw him. It has been very helpful and reassuring! I'm very, very happy to be nearing the end of this thing! :):D:goofy:
 
Frank, that's great news! :yes: I wasn't sure what stage you were at on your long journey, but it sounds like things are really looking up for you! :cheerswine: Thanks for posting your update here.
 
Frank, I wasn't even aware you had an issue, I must have missed that post. I am, however, certainly glad and happy for you that the end is in sight. Keep truckin', the finish line approaches!

-Skip
 
Great news Frank!

Everyone I've known that underwant Gamma Knife has spoken of it's wonders
 
Frank,

That's great news! Hope you're back to your regular ornery self at the SZ, pronto!


Trapper John
 
Ahh thats fantastic Frank, You'll be in my prayers and I'm really happy for you!!!:goofy:
 
Frank, if you've written about the issues here in the past, I have to apologize and confess that I've completely missed it.

Not to be a negative voice on the issue, but we (my wife and I) have found that the Gamma Knife (TM) procedure, especially the post treatment recovery, was not quite as quick as the slick television ads lead one to believe. That was the case in my wife's procedure, at least, and as she researched on-line, she found a number of folks who had a significantly longer recovery than they were lead to believe.

Her procedure was a steriotactic radiation treatment (generic term for Gamma Knife, which is a trade name, if I understand correctly) for an accoustic neuroma.

The only reason I bring this up is that she struggled mightily with dashed expectations when she wasn't back on her feet in a week...

All the best wishes for you for a successful treatment, quick recovery and regained health!

Greg
 
Best of luck to you. I've had my fill of doctors this year, and I hope this ends your string with them.
 
Frank, your optimism is heartening. Here's to a successful procedure, and a rapid recovery. Go get 'em!!!!!:cheerswine:
 
Great news, Frank! Best wishes for a successful operation and that you're back on your feet in no time!
 
You know we're all rootin' for ya, Brother!! :yes: :)

I forgot to reset my b'bery calendar from where I had it scheduled for today - I've been thinking about ya! I go do that now! :yes:
 
Nice to hear the good news Frank. Lets see will that be micro surgery, if it is brain surgery? :dunno: :yes: Best of luck buddy! Bob
 
Good deal and good luck. So what..they're gonna cut out that alien implant?
 
Frank Browne said:
Next Tuesday I'll be undergoing a Gamma Knife procedure that will hopefully end this eight year ordeal with this thing in my head. The surgery I had this past May was successful in that it reduced it's size making it more likely the Gamma Knife will be able to kill the last of it.

I have truly been blessed this time around with the best medical care I could hope for! Every medical professional I've had to deal with has been extremely caring, compassionate and professional! From the very first time I met my new neurosurgeon he has using language like "cure" whenever I saw him. It has been very helpful and reassuring! I'm very, very happy to be nearing the end of this thing! :):D:goofy:
Click to expand...

That's really good new Frank..
 
Best of continued good luck Frank, you're right we do have access to some fantastic medical resources in the USA.
 
Good luck with the procedure, Frank, we're all pulling for you!
 
Well, I had the Gamma Knife procedure today and my head hurts like hell. Not from the Gamma, but from the frame that was screwed to my skull. I thought it was going to be held in place with a clamp like device, but they used these little screw like things with a sharp pointed end that actually screwed into my skull! Fortunately, I was given a "cocktail" that included a hefty dose of morphine about 5 minutes before the doctor attached the frame to my head. Good thing to! Otherwise I would have screamed and cried like a little girl. It was very uncomfortable even with the morphine! But considering what was done, I'll take it happily! And hopefully, this will be the last treatment for the tumor itself, although I will be seeing an endocrinologist regularly for the rest of my life....and because of this procedure that will be much longer than it would be without it!
 
Frank Browne said:
Well, I had the Gamma Knife procedure today and my head hurts like hell. Not from the Gamma, but from the frame that was screwed to my skull. I thought it was going to be held in place with a clamp like device, but they used these little screw like things with a sharp pointed end that actually screwed into my skull!
Click to expand...
I had halo traction and had those same things. They are called tongs BTW. Yes it does hurt and it leaves marks like little bullet holes.



Frank Browne said:
Fortunately, I was given a "cocktail" that included a hefty dose of morphine about 5 minutes before the doctor attached the frame to my head. Good thing to! Otherwise I would have screamed and cried like a little girl. It was very uncomfortable even with the morphine! But considering what was done, I'll take it happily! And hopefully, this will be the last treatment for the tumor itself, although I will be seeing an endocrinologist regularly for the rest of my life....and because of this procedure that will be much longer than it would be without it!
Click to expand...

Frank that is good news indeed!!

I sure hope you bet that SOB cancer!! :fcross::fcross::fcross::fcross::fcross::fcross::fcross:
 
Frank Browne said:
Well, I had the Gamma Knife procedure today and my head hurts like hell. Not from the Gamma, but from the frame that was screwed to my skull. I thought it was going to be held in place with a clamp like device, but they used these little screw like things with a sharp pointed end that actually screwed into my skull! Fortunately, I was given a "cocktail" that included a hefty dose of morphine about 5 minutes before the doctor attached the frame to my head. Good thing to! Otherwise I would have screamed and cried like a little girl. It was very uncomfortable even with the morphine! But considering what was done, I'll take it happily! And hopefully, this will be the last treatment for the tumor itself, although I will be seeing an endocrinologist regularly for the rest of my life....and because of this procedure that will be much longer than it would be without it!
Click to expand...

Well good, I'm glad it went well for you. I had a buddy who broke his neck and they screwed one of those cages to his skull, looked like it sucked.
 
Frank Browne said:
Well, I had the Gamma Knife procedure today and my head hurts like hell. Not from the Gamma, but from the frame that was screwed to my skull. I thought it was going to be held in place with a clamp like device, but they used these little screw like things with a sharp pointed end that actually screwed into my skull! Fortunately, I was given a "cocktail" that included a hefty dose of morphine about 5 minutes before the doctor attached the frame to my head. Good thing to! Otherwise I would have screamed and cried like a little girl. It was very uncomfortable even with the morphine! But considering what was done, I'll take it happily! And hopefully, this will be the last treatment for the tumor itself, although I will be seeing an endocrinologist regularly for the rest of my life....and because of this procedure that will be much longer than it would be without it!
Click to expand...

Wow Frank! Sounds like you had quite a day! And you had enough umphhh to give us an update and with such clarity. Hope that's the end of the treatments now.

Is the thing still attached, or is it off now?
 
Here's wishing you a speedy recovery and to getting that rack off your head. Hope the cancer is gone gone gone!
 
All is good! They took the frame off as soon as the gamma treatment was over. It was only to keep my head perfectly still so the gamma beams could precisely target the tissue they wanted to get rid of. AS far as the tumor is concerned, it was non malignant. But it's location was the real problem. It could have done very damage to other pretty important things nearby such as the optic nerves and the carotid arteries. In fact, when I was first diagnosed in '01 it had grown around both carotid arteries! It has also done some damage to my optic nerves. My neurosurgeon says that the only thing that should inhibit renewal of my 3rd class is my vision. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for sure!
 
Wow. That's a relief.

Frankly, I've always been creeped out by the sight of those halo devices. Icch.

Good luck on your continued recovery!!!!:cheerswine:
 
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