Robin,
Thanks so much for sharing with us...I know that it is hard to write down what is happening sometimes but it does help get it out...I usually feel better after writing...it gets it out of my brain and on the paper or in this case the screen...
As for the Gamma Knife procedure...You do know that it isn't really a knife right. It is a radio surgery technique that is as precise as if they were actually cutting...
I found the following website for you...it sounds like a positive thing in your fathers case...
gammaknife.org/
from that website they also have a link to a brain mets website:
www.livingwithbrainmets.org/
Believe me I know how devastating a Metastatic Diagnosis is on a family, and my heart goes out to you...I hope with some of the options still available to your father that he can have some quality time...
As for the difficulty swallowing...did the CT see anything? Are there any drugs that he is on that "difficulty swallowing" is a side effect? I would ask the Dr. and then also get a list of the meds he is on and check for yourself or ask a pharmacist. I know that that if he had other radiotherapy especially to the chest or neck area it may be attributed to that it is called: dysphagia also if he was on Lovenox (used a lot during hospitalization) that can also cause loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing. Ask a lot of questions I am sure they will be able to tell you something.
I wish the best for you and your family,
Karen