![]() Dear Meri, I hope this note finds you in better health. God, it sounds like just about everyone has had a bad past several months. So how are things going for you? I think about you all the time along with the rest of the MIA group, which has definitely included me. Well - this is my update. For the past two years I have had the usual followup routines MRI every 3-6 months, labs you know the routine. Well the last one I had in Dec2003 - it revealed a large prominence of the right side of the pituitary gland. The previous MRI studies I had showed concavity associated with the TSR on the right .Now on the right side of the pituitary gland the surgical site is more convex and the pituitary infundibulium is slight deviated to the left and with pressure. The first Pituitary Adenoma I had was both Intrasellar and projected superiorly into the suprasellar cistern which also displaced the pituitary stalk to the left and started to wrap and push on the optic chiasm and the right frontal lobe. The first neurosurgery I had was 18 hours because of all the complications they were running into ect. and how do I know this she asks.. I had Ellie , Dr. Nemecek, program assistant down at the Seattle VA send me the op report, radiology reports to me after I was told this past december there might be a problem.She knew I would know how to read all the reports since before I got sick I use to work for PPRO and PEER review- I use to teach physician education and I also have Two Master Degrees in the Sciences. So the logical part of me , say ok lets deal with it and find the best pathway to correct the problem and the emotional side of me says this sucks. They wanted me to do my followup MRI's etc this past April , I talked with the Neurologist here in Fairbanks about a postpone and only because my daughter who lives in Portland is getting married June 27 and I need to be there . Dr. Martino said it was ok because and this is how he phrased it . even if it is a new growth this type of tumor is so slow growing the time factor permits it. Yippeee. He also said that they most probably would not redo the surgery and with the type of mass I have medication is out, so that leaves the big Radiation Party. Hair loss I can deal with- I love to weat hats anyhow and I'm not a vain person. But I wanted to look good at my daughter wedding, and not have any attentiontaken away from her ya know. Then there is my husband of 7 years. His said why even have radiation therapy if it will only give you a few more years - now how is that for support from my husband- it broke my heart . It made me feel like I was not important enough to keep around. I am so sorry for unloading all this on you and the others who have all their problems also but I feel alone right now. My daughter big day is coming up and I didn't tell her everything because I want this to be her moment in time and a happy time not to worry about me. John is on well everyone has to die sometime. Dr. Martino is great but I see him only once a month and then it cost me 190.00 for the visit ,medication not included. So that leave me with cinder who just smiles and gives me kisses and furry hugs no matter what. So this has been a hard time for me about what to do and what is going to happen , and all the other health issues I have been going through. I normally don't unload like this because I hate to bother anyone but boy it is coming from all sides and I don't know how much longer I can hold on. And also I always miss the chat room because of my time zone is AST which is 4 hours earlier in the day the EST, 3 hours CT, 2 hours MT and 1 hour earlier that PST. Well I guess I need to give all who read this other than Meri a mental health recovery hour from my saga. Thanks all - MIss chatting with all and I hope each of you are doing good. I say a prayers each nite and always include the member of The Pituitary Group, because God knows we sure can use it. Love to ALL Denise PS Miss Cinder says hell-o to all and sends wet kisses and furry hugs. | 