On December 12, I had my second round of gamma knife treatment. The doctors recommended gamma knife again, since I didn’t really want to have another craniotomy (brain surgery)! This last bit is now incredibly small—about the size of a grain of rice—which is pretty wild to think about. Before the procedure, I needed a CT scan with contrast since the AVM was too tiny to spot clearly on the MRI. It’s amazing to know we’re at this stage now, and that medicine has come so far.
This time around was way different from my first gamma knife experience. During my first treatment, they used a halo frame that had to be drilled into my skull. Yep, you read that right—drilled in! It was intense, to say the least. Thankfully, this time they used a frameless system instead. I wore a super snug mask that held my head in place. It wasn’t exactly comfy, but compared to the halo, it was a breeze! The team at the hospital was incredible—they made sure I felt comfortable and walked me through everything step by step.
When it was time for the actual procedure, I felt surprisingly calm. To the point where all I could hear was my heart pumping. The gamma knife technology is incredible, targeting something as tiny as a grain of rice deep in my brain without touching the healthy areas around it. Lying there, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for how far we’ve come in treating this. Everything went smoothly, and when it was all done, the doctors said I did great. It was a relief to know we’re continuing to move in the right direction.
Afterward, my mom and I celebrated with ice cream—because why not? It’s becoming a bit of a post-treatment tradition for us. Sitting there with my ice cream in hand, I felt so grateful for my mom’s support and for getting through another milestone. Little moments like that mean the world to me, and they help me stay positive and motivated for what’s next.
Now, it’s just a matter of waiting to see how this treatment works over time. Gamma knife results don’t show up overnight, but I’m hopeful that this round made a big difference. It’s been a long journey, but each step brings me closer to the finish line. I’m feeling optimistic, and I know I’ve got so much to be thankful for—especially the love and support I’ve had along the way. For now, I’m focusing on healing, staying positive, and enjoying every little win.
Comments