Acoustic Neuroma Association of Canada

Nikki R · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 27

I've managed to swing a consult with both Dr. Guha and Dr. Akagami on top of Dr. Chen and Dr. Izukawa. The consults don't happen until Nov 5th and January 18th. I've kind of ended up in watch and wait status unintentionally.

Dr. Akagami is in BC and comes highly recommended by those who've seen him. I've emailed him and his assistant a few times and his initial responses indicate he has a very high success rate.

I don't know quite so much about Dr. Guha. I know he suffered a bout with cancer and appears to be in remission. I am grateful for that for his sake. I've not heard about his treatment preferences or 'stats' but I don't have to wait that long to find out.

I had a third MRI in six months this past Wednesday. To my untrained eye it appears the little devil has grown about .5mm in length but about a full mm in width of the bulging portion. Not good news for me. If I choose Dr. Akagami he likely won't do surgery he said until next fall. A long time to wait.

All the best everyone.

Nikki Surprised

Gerry F · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 10

As I am totally new to this....am I to understand that you were able to arrange consults on your own or must a patient be referred through a family Dr. or other physician?? Thanks

Nikki R · Joined: 15 Jul 2009 Posts: 27

Hi Gerry, No in Canada you can't arrange consults on your own, but you can ask your doctor to refer you to surgeons and radio oncologists you want to see. I did.

I will send you a message with a link to the ANA site forum. It has thousands of posts and a listing of physicians to look at. I'm opp2 on that site.

Please feel free to email me or message me and I will answer questions as best I can.

Nikki

Gerry F · Joined: 26 Oct 2009 Posts: 10

Thanks Nikki...I am off to the doc for my annual physical next week & will be armed with some names & suggestions.