I wish I was joking, but unfortunately I'm not. I went in for my annual physical (a couple years late) and while I was there I mentioned that my menstrual cycle had suddenly shifted from 45 days to 90 days pretty much overnight nearly 2 years ago. I'm only 38 but was wondering if there was any chance I might be in some early stage of menopause. So my doc said she would run some extra blood tests.

First the nurse calls me back and says everything looks normal, I think great but that still doesn't explain my change in cycle (Mind you I wasn't complaining) Then a couple days later my doc calls me and drops the bombshell and tells me she thinks I may have a tumor in my pituitary gland and to come in for an MRI to make sure. She said not to worry they are almost always non-cancerous and that I should be able to treat it with drug therapy.

Well, I had the MRI on Friday and I finally get through to my doctor today on the phone. Turns out she hadn't seen my test results yet as they were physically sitting on her desk rather than in her computer. (What a novel concept!) So she looked at them while talking to me and confirmed that not only do I have a tumor but it has grown large enough that it is now pressing on my left optical nerve and is no longer a candidate for drug therapy. UHGGHH!!!

I'm still not terribly worried but I wasn't thrilled when she said she was going to get me scheduled with a neurosurgeon as quickly as possible and call me back later today to tell me the when/where's.

Not sure why I'm posting this. I'm really not trying to play a pity party I just wanted to vent my frustrations.

OMG Diane! I am so very sorry! I'm glad you are in touch with your doctor and that she will get you taken care of quickly! Please let us know what we can do to support you.

If you want to vent, you go right ahead. Please keep us updated on what is happening.

~C

I think that many of us will pray for a good outcome for you. One thing I know about these is that the surgery isn't terribly risky. My dad had a pituitary tumor also, but his grew so slowly that he passed from the lung problems before the tumor could damage his vision. The one thing that we heard was that the tumor is accessed through the sinus - through your nose. They basically just go up the nose and through to the pituitary and take out the tumor.

I hope this helps. I know that your news really sucks, but know that we're all pulling for you to have the best outcome.

Barbara

So sorry to hear that Dianne. Pity party, I don't think so. Vent as much as you want and I hope they sort this out for you asap. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep us posted.

Diane, I am so sorry to hear about the tumor, I'll keep you in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

OMG! I am so sorry. Im praying for the absolute best outcome for you. Modern medicine and a positive outlook are together amazing healers.

Diane:

I know a young man (17) who had a pituitary tumor. They removed it through his nose.

I'll be praying for you for a quick resolution to this medical issue.

Take care.

Sue

My thoughts and prayers are with you!

I'm sure everything will be fine! My best friend had a pituitary tumor when he was 17, hes 19 now and doing fine. They removed it through his nose as well. Now he is in college and doing great, I'm sure you will too! You're in my thoughts!

Allison

Diane

No pity party here - you have every right to be unnerved by this news.

Sounds like the treatment isn't super invasive (surgery thru the nose) - but still scary - Hugs & Prayers for you !!!!

Hugs

Janet

I'm sure hearing that was scary, I will pray for you!!!!!

With God all things are possible.

Diane,

My prayers are with you, and vent all you want that's why we are here.

Carol

"Surgery through the nose" Good grief, I should be happy that there won't be any scars but all I can think of are all the nose picking jokes the guys down in service are going to come up with.

Question though for any of you that have had this or know someone who has. Do you know if they have had to go on anytype of hormone replacement therapy? I know the pituitary gland is like some sort of master gland that regulates other hormones and their glands such as the thyroid, growth hormone and prolactin. My particular tumor is affecting my prolactin growth, so I don't know if they remove the tumor is it only going to effect the prolactin hormone growth or all the hormones that the pituitary controls. It may sound petty but my biggest fear is that the surgery will screw up my thyroid levels which are perfectly fine right now and that I thought I had heard that thyroid problems can cause weight gain. Just what I don't want after all the time, money and effort I've put into this band.

My friend, who is the 19 year old guy, does have to take a combination of pills everyday, he has epilepsy as well and takes one for that, as well as some type of hormone.

Diane,

Sorry you are having to go through this. Good luck and keep us posted!

you will be in my prayers, hopefully the surgery through the nose is going to be an option, that way you won't have to shave your head and recover from that type of surgery.

it sounds like you are being very optimistic and actually handling it well (seeing as how you are actually able to worry about weight gain at this point ). most people would do good to have a pitty party for a month...you are a strong woman. keep looking at it in such a good light, and keep us updated.