Gamma Knife gave me peace of mind – and my life back
On a good day, you’ll find Tomas Gunnarsson with a hammer or screwdriver in hand, working alongside his wife Sofi at “The house at the end of the world” – their small stone cottage on the most southwestern tip of Spain’s Canary Islands. “It’s our sanctuary,” he says. “We go there to recharge.” Otherwise, the couple stays busy with work, family (four children and four grandchildren) and life in their hometown of Uppsala, Sweden.
But a day in early October 2024, was not one of those good ones. Tomas had been experiencing dizziness, tinnitus and generally not feeling well. An MRI scan revealed he had a brain tumor; a tangle of blood vessels called an arteriovenous malformation (AVM).
Faced with this daunting knowledge, one could expect a reaction of fear – but he felt relief. “I was grateful that they found it and often think how things might have turned out had it never been discovered. I might have suffered an aneurysm, a stroke…” At 57, Tomas is a calm and pragmatic person who trusts “the experts” rather than turning to the internet for his diagnosis and treatment options.
“I had never heard of it [Gamma Knife] before, but the more I learned, the more confident I felt. It was precise, it was fast, and it didn’t involve cutting into my head.”
His doctor at Uppsala University Hospital, Dr. Fartein Velle, recommended Leksell Gamma Knife radiosurgery – a non-invasive treatment that uses focused radiation to target abnormalities in the brain. “I had never heard of it before,” Tomas admits. “But the more I learned, the more confident I felt. It was precise, it was fast, and it didn’t involve cutting into my head.” In fact, his clinical team was so certain of the procedure, it was the only treatment offered. And fortunately for Tomas, Sweden’s only Gamma Knife was at Karolinska University Hospital, just an hour from his home.
The day of the procedure, in December 2024, began early. Tomas recalls the frame being attached to his head as mildly uncomfortable. “It wasn’t painful, but it was tight – you definitely feel it,” he says. “Still, the staff were fantastic. They explained everything and made sure I was okay every step of the way.”
The treatment itself was surprisingly uneventful. “I laid there, listened to music, and it was over in about an hour,” he says. “Sofi was just outside the treatment room waiting for me, which was reassuring.” Afterward, he felt a bit tired and had a mild headache, but he soon returned to his normal life at home, work and his pastimes: going to live concerts, football games and the theater.
He believes the diagnosis and Gamma Knife treatment may have come more of a shock to his kids, who live in different cities in Sweden, than anyone else. “I didn’t really talk about much with anyone other than Sofi since I felt comfortable with the technology and the team. For me, it didn’t seem so dramatic; I think it was harder for Sofi though.”
“I’ve been there myself, and I can honestly say, trust the science and the research. When there’s a proven technology that’s as safe as it gets, don’t hesitate.”
Tomas urges anyone experiencing tumors or serious brain disease to listen to their doctors. “I’ve been there myself, and I can honestly say, trust the science and the research. It’s okay to be afraid, it’s okay to ask questions, it’s okay to want someone to hold your hand… but be brave! When there’s a proven technology that’s as safe as it gets, don’t hesitate.”
His greatest hope now is to remain healthy and live his life as he wants to. “I want to continue working without stress, live in a relationship where we have common dreams and goals, and to regularly meet my kids and play with my grandchildren.” Gamma Knife has helped him realize these desires. Today, Tomas is back to his routines – leading his team at work, fixing up properties, and planning the next trip to “The house at the end of the world.”
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