Gamma Knife it is… thanks for that info Ben
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Gamma Knife it is… thanks for that info Ben

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Gamma Knife it is… thanks for that info Ben

  • Post
    • July 11, 2012 at 11:00 am
    deardad
    Participant

    Well I spoke to the onc in Sydney today and looks like we are going to Sydney in two weeks for gamma knife on my father's brain mets.

    He has I believe 7 mets in the brain and one in a very crucial area near the spine at the base of the brain which will eventually render him unable to move. That was a stress to hear because my dad is terrified more than anything of ending up in such a state.

    Well I spoke to the onc in Sydney today and looks like we are going to Sydney in two weeks for gamma knife on my father's brain mets.

    He has I believe 7 mets in the brain and one in a very crucial area near the spine at the base of the brain which will eventually render him unable to move. That was a stress to hear because my dad is terrified more than anything of ending up in such a state.

    Long story short, they have accepted him as a candidate which gives us something at least after being sent home with a call from the palliative care nurse. It takes 2 months to work though, with a 80% success rate I'm told.  I didn't even think we'd make the two months, maybe we still wont, but it has given my parents an element of hope and that is so crucial in this journey with cancer. 

    I post this knowing that I am still going to loose my dad, there's not turning back now, this cancer is well too advanced.

    Can anyone give me some insight on gamma knife? I know it everywhere in the States but its very new to Australia.

    My love to Maria and Dave who up against so much at the moment.

    Nahmi from Melbourne

Viewing 17 reply threads
  • Replies
      • July 11, 2012 at 2:53 pm
      s Mom
      Participant

      Dear Nahmi,

      There is a webinar on the Melanoma International Foundation website which explains gamma knife and brain mets.  Just click on the webinar tab on top and you will get a "pull-down" menu.  Click on the link and log in (give your email address), but that's it.  It's very informative, and I hope it helps.  I'm praying for you and your dad – don't lose hope.  Gamma Knife is very effective.  Take care and God Bless.

      Bridgette (Jeff's Mom)

      • July 11, 2012 at 2:53 pm
      s Mom
      Participant

      Dear Nahmi,

      There is a webinar on the Melanoma International Foundation website which explains gamma knife and brain mets.  Just click on the webinar tab on top and you will get a "pull-down" menu.  Click on the link and log in (give your email address), but that's it.  It's very informative, and I hope it helps.  I'm praying for you and your dad – don't lose hope.  Gamma Knife is very effective.  Take care and God Bless.

      Bridgette (Jeff's Mom)

      • July 11, 2012 at 2:53 pm
      s Mom
      Participant

      Dear Nahmi,

      There is a webinar on the Melanoma International Foundation website which explains gamma knife and brain mets.  Just click on the webinar tab on top and you will get a "pull-down" menu.  Click on the link and log in (give your email address), but that's it.  It's very informative, and I hope it helps.  I'm praying for you and your dad – don't lose hope.  Gamma Knife is very effective.  Take care and God Bless.

      Bridgette (Jeff's Mom)

      • July 11, 2012 at 5:42 pm
      Richard_K
      Participant

       

      Nahmi

      I am sorry I can offer no help concerning gamma knife, but I hope your dad will find some measure of success with it.

      Dick

      • July 11, 2012 at 5:42 pm
      Richard_K
      Participant

       

      Nahmi

      I am sorry I can offer no help concerning gamma knife, but I hope your dad will find some measure of success with it.

      Dick

      • July 11, 2012 at 5:42 pm
      Richard_K
      Participant

       

      Nahmi

      I am sorry I can offer no help concerning gamma knife, but I hope your dad will find some measure of success with it.

      Dick

      • July 11, 2012 at 6:27 pm
      aldakota22
      Participant

      Will keep you and your dad in my prayers.  Al

      • July 11, 2012 at 6:27 pm
      aldakota22
      Participant

      Will keep you and your dad in my prayers.  Al

      • July 11, 2012 at 6:27 pm
      aldakota22
      Participant

      Will keep you and your dad in my prayers.  Al

      • July 11, 2012 at 11:48 pm
      benp
      Participant

      Hi Nahmi, 

      I'm really glad you could get on GK. As you know, I've had it (in Sydney) approx 2 months ago. It's a pretty smooth experience. Having the frame fitted and lying still for several hours is really not fun at all, but insignificant really. The nurses there are really nice and will take care of him. After the treatment he'll take a short round of steroids to avoid any edema. I've had no after effects excpet for the rare brief, acute headaches. No scans for me yet, though I'll be having my first since the GK tomorrow.

      Best of luck, my thoughts are with you both.

      Ben.

      • July 11, 2012 at 11:48 pm
      benp
      Participant

      Hi Nahmi, 

      I'm really glad you could get on GK. As you know, I've had it (in Sydney) approx 2 months ago. It's a pretty smooth experience. Having the frame fitted and lying still for several hours is really not fun at all, but insignificant really. The nurses there are really nice and will take care of him. After the treatment he'll take a short round of steroids to avoid any edema. I've had no after effects excpet for the rare brief, acute headaches. No scans for me yet, though I'll be having my first since the GK tomorrow.

      Best of luck, my thoughts are with you both.

      Ben.

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:00 am
        deardad
        Participant

        Thinking of you Ben for tomorrow, positive vibes coming your way.

        Let me know the good news tomorrow.

        Nahmi

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:00 am
        deardad
        Participant

        Thinking of you Ben for tomorrow, positive vibes coming your way.

        Let me know the good news tomorrow.

        Nahmi

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:00 am
        deardad
        Participant

        Thinking of you Ben for tomorrow, positive vibes coming your way.

        Let me know the good news tomorrow.

        Nahmi

      • July 11, 2012 at 11:48 pm
      benp
      Participant

      Hi Nahmi, 

      I'm really glad you could get on GK. As you know, I've had it (in Sydney) approx 2 months ago. It's a pretty smooth experience. Having the frame fitted and lying still for several hours is really not fun at all, but insignificant really. The nurses there are really nice and will take care of him. After the treatment he'll take a short round of steroids to avoid any edema. I've had no after effects excpet for the rare brief, acute headaches. No scans for me yet, though I'll be having my first since the GK tomorrow.

      Best of luck, my thoughts are with you both.

      Ben.

      • July 12, 2012 at 4:28 am
      MeNDave
      Participant

      Nahmi,

      Gamma knife is a very easy procedure, with really no bad side effects.  Dave bounced back from it, and realistically, it bought him 2 really good months of quality time that I will forever cherish.  They may want to put him on some steroids, but may not – Dave had eight done, and he didn't need them.  I believe it depends on the size and whether or not there is swelling.  They will tell him not to bend over and lift anything heavy afterwards. He will probably be tired afterwards for a day or two, but nothing too extreme.  When they fit him with the "hood" they will first numb his head, which Dave said was the most uncomfortable part.  And remember, it looks worse than it feels. 

      I hope everything goes well, and I'm always keeping you in my thoughts (Dave is resting comfortably right now, with a little smile on his face – such a blessing)

      All my best to you,

      Maria

      • July 12, 2012 at 4:28 am
      MeNDave
      Participant

      Nahmi,

      Gamma knife is a very easy procedure, with really no bad side effects.  Dave bounced back from it, and realistically, it bought him 2 really good months of quality time that I will forever cherish.  They may want to put him on some steroids, but may not – Dave had eight done, and he didn't need them.  I believe it depends on the size and whether or not there is swelling.  They will tell him not to bend over and lift anything heavy afterwards. He will probably be tired afterwards for a day or two, but nothing too extreme.  When they fit him with the "hood" they will first numb his head, which Dave said was the most uncomfortable part.  And remember, it looks worse than it feels. 

      I hope everything goes well, and I'm always keeping you in my thoughts (Dave is resting comfortably right now, with a little smile on his face – such a blessing)

      All my best to you,

      Maria

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:02 am
        deardad
        Participant

        Yeah two good months is better than not all in my books.

        Thanks for your kind thoughts and I'm glad Dave is comfortable, thinking of you.

        Nahmi

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:02 am
        deardad
        Participant

        Yeah two good months is better than not all in my books.

        Thanks for your kind thoughts and I'm glad Dave is comfortable, thinking of you.

        Nahmi

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:03 am
        deardad
        Participant

        I meant two good months is better than not AT all in my books.

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:03 am
        deardad
        Participant

        I meant two good months is better than not AT all in my books.

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:03 am
        deardad
        Participant

        I meant two good months is better than not AT all in my books.

        • July 12, 2012 at 5:02 am
        deardad
        Participant

        Yeah two good months is better than not all in my books.

        Thanks for your kind thoughts and I'm glad Dave is comfortable, thinking of you.

        Nahmi

      • July 12, 2012 at 4:28 am
      MeNDave
      Participant

      Nahmi,

      Gamma knife is a very easy procedure, with really no bad side effects.  Dave bounced back from it, and realistically, it bought him 2 really good months of quality time that I will forever cherish.  They may want to put him on some steroids, but may not – Dave had eight done, and he didn't need them.  I believe it depends on the size and whether or not there is swelling.  They will tell him not to bend over and lift anything heavy afterwards. He will probably be tired afterwards for a day or two, but nothing too extreme.  When they fit him with the "hood" they will first numb his head, which Dave said was the most uncomfortable part.  And remember, it looks worse than it feels. 

      I hope everything goes well, and I'm always keeping you in my thoughts (Dave is resting comfortably right now, with a little smile on his face – such a blessing)

      All my best to you,

      Maria

      • July 12, 2012 at 5:58 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      I'm so glad your dad has a chance for the gamma knife to work.  I had SRS which is very similar.  The first time my tumor was very deep and very large – almost at the limits of them doing the procedure. I did end up having lots of edema and ended up being on dex for an extended time causing major side effects.  This time I had the procedure on 2 tumors and had no side effects.  Different hospitals have different thoughts on what they will give the patient before the procedure. Make sure to call and ask.  Having 7 mets radiated in one setting will take a few hours and it would help your dad if they give him something to relax.  Each met is dealt with at a time and I know when they dealt with 2 I was ready to jump off of the table! 

      Good luck!

      Linda

      • July 12, 2012 at 5:58 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      I'm so glad your dad has a chance for the gamma knife to work.  I had SRS which is very similar.  The first time my tumor was very deep and very large – almost at the limits of them doing the procedure. I did end up having lots of edema and ended up being on dex for an extended time causing major side effects.  This time I had the procedure on 2 tumors and had no side effects.  Different hospitals have different thoughts on what they will give the patient before the procedure. Make sure to call and ask.  Having 7 mets radiated in one setting will take a few hours and it would help your dad if they give him something to relax.  Each met is dealt with at a time and I know when they dealt with 2 I was ready to jump off of the table! 

      Good luck!

      Linda

      • July 12, 2012 at 5:58 pm
      lhaley
      Participant

      I'm so glad your dad has a chance for the gamma knife to work.  I had SRS which is very similar.  The first time my tumor was very deep and very large – almost at the limits of them doing the procedure. I did end up having lots of edema and ended up being on dex for an extended time causing major side effects.  This time I had the procedure on 2 tumors and had no side effects.  Different hospitals have different thoughts on what they will give the patient before the procedure. Make sure to call and ask.  Having 7 mets radiated in one setting will take a few hours and it would help your dad if they give him something to relax.  Each met is dealt with at a time and I know when they dealt with 2 I was ready to jump off of the table! 

      Good luck!

      Linda

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