Hi Peg,Thanks so much for your response. My sister will be joining soon and I'm sure she would love to communicate with you. She had surgery in 2001 to remove a 5 cm meningioma. She lost her sense of smell as a result. She initially had a seizure which is how she was diagnosed. She has been on anti seizure meds ever since. She had an MRI a couple of weeks ago and has seen 2 neurosurgeons here in Atlanta. She has 3 meningiomas.  One does the Gamma Knife, the other Cyber Knife. One thought she should have Gamma Knife soon, the other said she could wait and have another MRI in 4 months. She is so worried that the radiation could bring on a seizure or have other nasty side effects down the road. Maybe 10 years from now. Where did you have the Cyber Knife procedure? She is thinking maybe she should go to Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins or some major medical center where they have a lot of experience with both procedures. Have you had any seizures? Do you know anyone who has been treated at either medical center. Thanks so much for your response. So glad you have not had bad side effects from the radiation. Have the tumors shrunk in size at all since the radiation? Sorry, so many questions!!Thanks You,Nancy

Hi @nancye3, I had the cyberknife procedure at Swedish Hospital in Seattle but I have decided to change locations for my next cyberknife and/or gammaknife at a center in Spokane, mainly because the Neurology Dept. at Swedish is having so many problems. I don't know of anyone who has gone to Mayo or Johns but I believe they are top-rated hospitals so I wouldn't hesitate if it became necessary. My surgeries were done here in Montana by an amazing neuro. Dr. Carter Beck. I had seizures, vertigo, etc. before my tumor diagnosis but I wasn't aware they were seizures. I thought I might have the flu, was getting old:-),etc. and basically found excuses for the way I was feeling. I did use to say to my kids, "don't worry, it's just the brain tumors", & they would say, "it's not a tumor".
I have had a couple seizures since my radiation brought on by extreme stress,however, I take no seizure medication at this time. I actually take no meds at all, and if I have too, I take a child's portion. My tumors have not shrunk, nor have they grown, so radiation has done it's job. I had planned my radiation in Seattle for this month,July, but Dr. Beck asked me to wait because he wants to make sure both suspected tumors are indeed that and not an AVM and a tumor. He did not want me to get radiation too soon and risk having a stroke, which is why I'm waiting until November. The radiologist in Seattle had said I could choose between cyber or gamma but I had told her I would rather have cyber to avoid the halo thing they have to screw to your head for gamma. For cyber, a mask is made, so it's very non-invasive, but, if she had given me a grand reason for gamma, I would have followed her recommendation. I do, with my husband and family weigh all recommendations, do some critical thinking, and then make a decision. I feel very positive and treasure every day. Sending lots of hope and love to your sister & family. peg

Thank You!! Best of luck with your next procedure. Your attitude is inspiring!!
Nancy

@pegorr I do like your phrase "I do.....weigh all recommendations, do some critical thinking, and then make a decision." That is such a great way to handle health problems - it puts the control back in your hands and provides you with options. Teresa