Bikinggirl and 'Gamma Knife'

Public Archive
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Hi Ladies,

I’m back in cyber world …… just about… I would like to say it was because of some fantastic treatment that I have been away ( which it was) but more the fact I am just struggling so much with my left side (being a leftie) that typing is not top of my agenda!!!

I have had a look through the forum to catch up and I’m not really with it so just want to say a big hi to everyone, sorry to have read about sad news and all those who are just not in the best place to be at the moment.

As for me ……
I’ve had quiet an adventure with ‘The Gamma Knife’ which was not surgery but a treatment that was more radiotherapy.

I went down to St Barts hospital last Friday for 7.30am and meet by a fantastic nurse who looked after me all day.

I had a frame fitted to head ( silence of the lambs…almost) and then had a new set of MRI scans done on my head.
Four doctors all screwing which felt like 6inch bolts to my head but they were tiny!

I was then taken to Harley Street….(out the back door, almost criminal like, just needed the shackles).

A coffee and few biccy’s later, planning was done and I was almost bolted to this machine where I was sapped 3 times about 10 mins each……I had two ladies look after me with pieces of which I can only describe as macarno for grown ups….
I have never seem a women so competent with a screwdriver it was awesome.

Once this was done I then had the frame removed…… bit of head rush, wasn’t sure weather to faint or eat…… so I eat!!!
20 min snooze and it was all done.

I was in bed by 3pm resting and 7 ish got up had a shower dinner and was watching tv.

This treatment took till about 12 but my memory of it all might as well be an hour.
Very quick and efficient.

I asked the Neurosurgeon what the score was and basically……

2 tumors largest 2cm not grown since last scan a month ago.
80% success rate very good for 2nd b cancer mets
will know 6 weeks –3 months if worked
if not worked come back and we will do it again!!!

To be honest this is what I am struggling with……
My situation is txt book stuff, easy……
I want to know everything but to them it is that simple (how unreal it all feels like I can’t even make a decent conversation up about it as to them it is all simple)!!

This is now where technology has got us….mind blowing, excuse the pun!!

I truly feel very fortunate that my brain mets were found before I had symptoms and that this treatment is available, 4 weeks ago I thought I was going to have surgery as in real scalpel and was rushing to do memory boxes, funeral arrangements and sorting out affairs.

I have to say the last few days have been really hard to get back to some normality.

At one point I felt the tantrum part of my brain had been reawoken, altought the relief on Robs face went I did go into total meltdown because one of the kids decieded they didn’t like roast carrots did make think that maybe I needed to let off a bit of steam!!!

I am starting chemo in the morning much to the amazement of my nurse……

I am really struggling with my leftside, needed to write a check out today and couldn’t sign my name…it was so embrassing.

I’m signing off now, bed time…

Best wishes to you all
Regards

Tess.x

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Hi Tess
Wow! How very hi tech. Really hope all the zapping has worked for you and that you continue to improve especially with the left side, hopefully a side effect that will clear quickly. I’ve read your other posts about how scary it has been for you (and your family) so I’m wishing you all the best with the chemo and hope you get really good results. Take care and look after yourself.
Nicky x

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Hi Tess…hope the hi tech treatment has worked well for you…a friend had Gamma knife and then went shopping to try on bridesmaids dresses! Good Luck with your treatment today…Belinda…x

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Hi Tess… so pleased it`s over for you and the outlook looks good!!
Good luck today, do you know what chemo you are having? I pray for good results.
Take care,
Love,
Janx

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Hi Tess wow what an inspirational post especially when reading how you were feeling not so long ago. I am so pleased that your treatment went well and that you continue to make good progress.

All the best Anne xx

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Hi Tess
So pleased for you.
Hope the use of left side improves qwickly and all the best for the results.
Thinking of you
g

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Hi Tess,
what a relief for you and your family. It is so good to see you back with us so can only image how your children and husband must be feeling.
Wishing all the best for your treatment today.
Love Debsxxx

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Hello Ladies,

Gosh the old fingers seem very busy today…
i am trying to stop myself from eating!!!

Had my first chemo yesterday pax… …
It was really wierd, as the antihistimin was going in so I could my eyelids shutting and then I dozzed through the rest!!!

After it was all done Rob and went to Tesco’s did a huge shop and then had a really nice tea.

I do of course know that this is all a false feeling and purely the steriods…
I only need to look in the mirror to be reminded of that one!

The mood swings are coming through now…I have had a couple of real hissy fits!!! (keeps the old man on his toes though).

I have managed to sort some care out at home for when I do hit the brick wall running and i’m getting friends and family organised.

Today I am supposed to be chilling out but on the computer instead,
everything is typed twice as I keep missing the keys or hitting the wrong ones.

My neck has got really bad and where it is humped it is very red, like a bruise or a port wine birth mark…
Anyone got an idea why?
I did ask my chemo nurse but she didn’t know.

I am still felling great after the ‘Gamma Knife’ truely amazing treatment.

Best wishes to you all,

Tess.x

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Glad the first chemo went ok, Tess, even if it’s dependent on the steroids! Hope it continues.

Have no ideas about your neck, I’m afraid - sounds painful.

Sending you lots of love

Kay xx

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Hi Tess, really pleased to hear that the gamma knife and the first chemo went well - you’re an inspiration!! Take care and don’t overdo things when the steroids start to wear off - oh, and I can totally understand the hissy fits, I have those frequently and steroids do seem to make them far, far worse!!

Love from Lesley xx

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Tess I’ve sent you a private messsage. x

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Hi Girls,

Well I feel fine from the Chemo and now I am thinking that maybe we could up the dose as I want it to start working now!!!
I am having pax over a 4 weekly period and right at this moment in time just want to get on with it in my system and working.

I have been shopping and cleaning today oh and now I’m baking, like I haven’t already got food issues!!!

I feel like Im in the doctors waiting room!

I have read the post from Debsincornwall and so wish I could give her some of my energy.

Right,
Must be dinner time!!!

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Tess it is really good to hear you so chirpy :). Wish there was an energy bag here we could all dip into LOL. Hard to believe that it is only a week since you had the gamma knife treatment. How is the left side doing now?

Dawn
xx

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Hi Dawn…

Gosh I am really very ‘chipper’…

( I understand if it seems a bit over the top…but that’s how I’m feeling… in your face with it).

It really is the steriods bouncing me off the walls…
The scary thing is I know what I was like not taking them.
Yesterday and today I have just taken 1 tablet so I am hoping that calms me down without ending up flat on my back.

If there was any way I could share my bounces I would be dishing them out to you all!!!

The ‘Gamma knife’ treatment is like a distant memory now.

I just keep looking at my hair thinking what a mess it needs a cut but the fact I’m about to loose it I won’t be going to the hairdressers …the worst thing is I should do it myself as I’m a hairdresser but can’t get my arm above my shoulder!!!
I did colour it the other day though.

My left side is a real mess can’t beleive it really.
I have a lump/ hump cloths don’t sit right, I have bad lymphademea,
shaking and can barely write (or sign my name).
I wouldn’t be able to drive even if I could…
but I am hoping for great things with chemo…
even if it stops it getting worse.

I have to confess it has made me realise how vien I am…
I am wearing make up everyday…although I think that is boredom as well.

I have just ordered some sheer cover for my neck so we’ll see how I get on with that? (It’s a make up that can cover anything from the shopping channels).

Ah… onto the shopping channels

Tess.XX