Mary Anne Fasching , TN Patient

Her Personal Story of Gamma Knife Surgery

My pain started in June 2002, while having a dinner party on our patio here in PR. It continued the usual way, with remissions, but not before I'd had three root canals done on the left side of my jaw. I've been on all the usual medications and each attack has gotten worse than the last. I was so pleased when I went on Topamax, then I had the longest remission of all, almost two years--I thought maybe I was 'cured'.

The last unbearable attack started on June 29th this year and got progressively worse until October 11th, when I just couldn't deal with the pain anymore.  My Neurologist said she could not do anything else for me, I was maxed out on drugs, hadn't been driving for two months, my life was taken away as I once knew it. I did some research on the Internet and since we'll be moving to San Antonio, TX soon, I decided that's where I needed to be treated.

We flew in on Monday the 8th at 11:30pm, met with the doctor, who is the Chief of Neurology at the Hospital on Tues. at 11:30am and I was scheduled for the procedure on Thurs. morning the 11th of Oct. at 5:30am! The RN at the Gamma Knife Center was incredible. My care was very professional, efficient and caring.

The best news is!! I'm pain free most of the time!! Breakthrough pain was expected. Dr. W. said it could take two days to two months for me to feel better. I'm still taking the medication, but at a lesser dose. I have my life back again.

Thank you for the work you do with the Association, the support and the book 'Striking Back' have been a great help to me over the years.

Updated 11-13-07