----------------------------------------------------------- New Message on Pituitary Chat
----------------------------------------------------------- From: charlieoops Message 9 in Discussion Hi,<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I saved this email so I could remember to reply to it. So sorry it took me so long, but, there you have it. I had three pit surgeries and then radiation. The last surgery and radiation was in 2006. After the first two surgeries I was able to go back to work full time. Not so after the third. We have no idea where to lay the blame for my memory issues, but being a nurse for many years, I suspect that it is a combination of many things. Pit tumors, radiation, adrenal tumor, Cushings, then <st1:place w:st="on">Addison</st1:place>s, hormone deficiencies/over abundance for many years. Maybe even add a tad of stress in there, too.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> But, I did have some pretty big memory testing done in 2007. They were able to tell me that I definitely dont have Alzheimers, but there is some very definite memory issues. Now, was that enough to get me qualified for disability? Nope, I am (hopefully) nearing the stage when I go before the judge for a review and hopefully the OK to start receiving disability. Yes, I have a lawyer handling the case and he was surprised that with the documentation that I have I wasnt awarded disability, especially after I was tested by their own doc in addition to mine who both cam to the same conclusion.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Now, I have good days and bad days with no way to determine what causes the bad days. I even fluctuate within a few hours. I lose words and short term memory, especially if I am in even a mildly stressful situation. I dont drive much anymore and then only to places I know and with a list on the seat beside me to remind me of where Im going. I dont shop without a list, either. I use my cell phone as an alarm clock to remind me to take my meds. I use Outlook Express to remind me when to vacumn, take meds, brush my teeth, clean the kitchen, feed the dogs whatever I cant remember, which is most things on a consistent basis.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I get sidetracked very easily and lose my train of thought. I ramble at times. I cannot see a page of numbers, do anything other than VERY elementary math. I usually write out numbers because if I try to write/type the number itself I get totally lost. Numbers mostly look like black dots to me. My vision is fine, thought. Its the way my brain processes the number. My long term memory is pretty much intact, which means I do remember all my nursing stuff (for the most part) but I have great difficulty in maintaining anything new. I tried to take a simple job that didnt require me giving meds, but my doc (Dr. Diana Maas, who is a goddess!!!) says no way. She wrote out a nice little note telling my employer that I was not to work and pretty much why.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> So, sticky notes have become my best friend. That and nice little notes from my sweet hubby, who has developed the patience of Job. Yes, I did go to therapy for this, but it had little to no effect since I couldnt remember to do what they wanted me to and was already doing a lot that I remembered I had my former patients doing to aid their memories.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Im hoping that I havent rambled too much and at least some of my experience is helpful. I am doing really good except for the memory crap. Apathy is not a problem because I just dont care. Of course, that means that nobody better ask for my opinion unless they really want it. *L* If a thought pops in my head it comes out my mouth and there is no stop sign on the way out. Not even a yield sign. On top of that, I usually dont understand why or how I might have offended somebody. Looking back, all of this didnt start right after my third surgery and subsequent radiation. It was there but much less noticeable even BEFORE the first surgery. My hubby can attest to that.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> One other thing I do or try to do .is keep a date planner to write everything down in. Birthdays (which I also use Outlook for), special events, just everyday stuff that I might need to retrieve for whatever reason. It has come in handy on more than one occasion, but if I dont remember to write it down, Im lost.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Ok, so I can tell by the length of this email that I must be rambling. Thank the good lord for spell check, too!! *L*<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Charlie<o:p></o:p> ----------------------------------------------------------- To stop getting this e-mail, or change how often it arrives, go to your E-mail Settings. http://groups.msn.com/PituitaryChat/_emailsettings.msnw Need help? 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