Wow, I can't believe I let another year go by without a post. God please forgive me. I have had three doctors visits in 2010 to MD Anderson. In January I had an MRI and the tumor was still the size of a dime. The blood levels continued to improve.
In July, I visited for blood work and the prolactin had come down to where they wanted to reduce my Cabergoline from 2.0 mg to 1.5 weekly (three pills weekly) and see how I did. My synthroid level was left at .125 mgs. daily.
In December, 2010, I went for another MRI and blood work. The tumor size has remained the same, no change since January of 2010, and the prolactin level was down to 8.0 which is well within the acceptable range. The doctor was wanting to get it below 10. We have now reduced the Cabergoline to 1.0 weekly (one pill on Tuesday and one on Friday), everything else remains the same. Haven't noticed much change although had a few headaches upon the initial reduction in medication this time. Those seem to have subsided now. Our next appointment is in July 2011 to see if the prolactin stays the same. The Doctor said he doesn't know if he will ever be able to take me completely off of the Cabergoline but he will see.
God continues to bless me and keep me healthy. I feel good--just getting older and life is a little more stressful.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Saturday, June 12, 2010
First Post of 2010-oops!
I can't believe this is my first post in 2010----and my last post was September of 2009. I am obviously feeling better as I am staying busy and trying to earn a living. In today's economy and real estate market, that has been challenging. Nevertheless, God has continued to provide and bless.
My last visit was in January and all my levels had remained the same. The doctor said if things remained that way for another six months we may begin a slow reduction in the cabergoline. He mentioned it would take 18 - 24 months to completely remove me from that medication.
My next visit is June 14th and I promise to provide a quick update.
Thank you to the many who have emailed and thanked me for the information I have provided in this blog regarding pituitary tumors. I am glad it has been able to help or lead some in the right direction to understanding pituitary tumors a little more and provide information. Until next time, God Bless.
My last visit was in January and all my levels had remained the same. The doctor said if things remained that way for another six months we may begin a slow reduction in the cabergoline. He mentioned it would take 18 - 24 months to completely remove me from that medication.
My next visit is June 14th and I promise to provide a quick update.
Thank you to the many who have emailed and thanked me for the information I have provided in this blog regarding pituitary tumors. I am glad it has been able to help or lead some in the right direction to understanding pituitary tumors a little more and provide information. Until next time, God Bless.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
WAY PAST DUE
I am way past due in updating my blog and I apologize. Updating should have been one of the first things I did after my last appointment as there was such great news. All my blood levels are either at the bottom of acceptable or acceptable which means everything is working. The main number we have been watching is the prolactin level which is not supposed to be above 20. If you recall from earlier blogs, mine was at 388. At this last visit, it was 10. Praise God. I have been feeling much better and stronger; I have actually lost a few pounds which means my thyroids are just barely starting to work, according to the Dr. My next appointment has been set for February at which time we will have another MRI done. I am so grateful for all the prayers that have been prayed on my behalf and as you can see, they worked and are working. Glory be to God.
Monday, May 11, 2009
PRAYERS CONTINUED TO BE ANSWERED
Today's update is good news. I just returned home from MDA and all the prayers are working and continue to be answered. I am pleased with my new doctor (Dr. Hamda) and that is one prayer that was answered. After my other Dr. moved to Vanderbilt I was concerned about who I would be assigned to. Dr. Hamda is very atune to everything and I appreciate his style of "doctoring".
I started my visit with lab work and the drawing of blood. Next, it was on to the MRI center where I laid still for exactly one hour. Almost fell asleep while in that tube but the last 20 minutes were the toughest as I had to go to the bathroom badly.
Next it was on to the nutritionist where I was told to reduce my calorie intake 500 calories daily. This may be harder than the side effects of the medication.
After a brief ice cream stop (just kidding it was a diet coke stop) it was on to the visit with Dr. Hamda. He had the results of the MRI already and showed me a before and current picture of the tumor. The tumor has decreased considerably and, Praise GOD, for the time being, they have taken surgery out of the picture. It is felt the remaining tumor can be reduced with the medication. They are increasing the cabergoline medication to 2 pills twice a week and increasing the synthroid to 112. Next visit will be in August.
Thanks to all of you who continue to keep me in your prayers...they continue to be answered. May God Bless each of you.
I started my visit with lab work and the drawing of blood. Next, it was on to the MRI center where I laid still for exactly one hour. Almost fell asleep while in that tube but the last 20 minutes were the toughest as I had to go to the bathroom badly.
Next it was on to the nutritionist where I was told to reduce my calorie intake 500 calories daily. This may be harder than the side effects of the medication.
After a brief ice cream stop (just kidding it was a diet coke stop) it was on to the visit with Dr. Hamda. He had the results of the MRI already and showed me a before and current picture of the tumor. The tumor has decreased considerably and, Praise GOD, for the time being, they have taken surgery out of the picture. It is felt the remaining tumor can be reduced with the medication. They are increasing the cabergoline medication to 2 pills twice a week and increasing the synthroid to 112. Next visit will be in August.
Thanks to all of you who continue to keep me in your prayers...they continue to be answered. May God Bless each of you.
Friday, May 8, 2009
6 MONTHS ON MEDICATION
Heading to MDAnderson on Sunday for my appointments on Monday. They start early and continue till after lunch. I am anxious for the MRI reports to see if the tumor has shrunk into non existance. This will be the first MRI since discovery of the tumor back in September. I pray that the tumor will have completely been eliminated and that my blood work shows that my hormones, thyroids, and testosterone are beginning to produce on their own. I am feeling so much better and will be totally surprised if the above has not taken place. I thank God in advance for answering mine and hundreds of friend's prayers.
I've lost two special people this week, one a long time friend and mentor, the other, today, my aunt. I know that they are free from the pain and suffering they have had due to health problems and cancer and they are now looking down on all of us.
I've lost two special people this week, one a long time friend and mentor, the other, today, my aunt. I know that they are free from the pain and suffering they have had due to health problems and cancer and they are now looking down on all of us.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
HAPPY EASTER!!
Happy Easter everyone.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”- 1 Peter 2:24
We serve a RISEN Savior. Hallelujah!!
It's been almost 2 months since I last posted to the blog. Time really flies. During these last 8 weeks I have been feeling much better. The increase in dosage to the medication has not had the effects on me as it has with previous increases. Praise God for that. I have had much more energy, a much better attitude (that's probably debateable) and I have been sleeping better. I have only had a few headaches and I am sure a few of those can be attributable to the weather as one day the wind would blow from the north at 30 knots and then turn around the next day and blow from the south at 30 knots. I think it did that for about 4 weeks.
I am looking forward to my next visit to MDA. I am confident that all the many prayers that have been offered on my behalf will have been answered and that God's healing power will have made me whole once again.
May God Bless each of you and your families.
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”- 1 Peter 2:24
We serve a RISEN Savior. Hallelujah!!
It's been almost 2 months since I last posted to the blog. Time really flies. During these last 8 weeks I have been feeling much better. The increase in dosage to the medication has not had the effects on me as it has with previous increases. Praise God for that. I have had much more energy, a much better attitude (that's probably debateable) and I have been sleeping better. I have only had a few headaches and I am sure a few of those can be attributable to the weather as one day the wind would blow from the north at 30 knots and then turn around the next day and blow from the south at 30 knots. I think it did that for about 4 weeks.
I am looking forward to my next visit to MDA. I am confident that all the many prayers that have been offered on my behalf will have been answered and that God's healing power will have made me whole once again.
May God Bless each of you and your families.
Friday, February 20, 2009
ANOTHER INTERESTING ARTICLE
I was doing some more research and came across another article. Much of the information is the same as what I have posted in the past but thought it gave a good overview of pituitary tumors.
Pituitary Cancer
Definition
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body's balance of hormones.
Alternative Names
Tumor - pituitary
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary regulates and controls the release of hormones from other endocrine glands, which in turn regulate many body processes. These hormones include:
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Growth hormone (GH)
Prolactin
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
About 75% of pituitary tumors release hormones. When a tumor produces too much of one or more hormones, the following conditions may occur:
Central hypothyroidism (excess thyroid-stimulating hormone)
Cushing syndrome (excess adrenocorticotropic hormone)
Gigantism or acromegaly (excess growth hormone)
Prolactinoma (excess prolactin)
As the tumor grows, hormone-secreting cells of the pituitary may be damaged, causing hypopituitarism.
The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown, although some are a part of a hereditary disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I).
There are other types of tumors that can be found in the same area of the head as a pituitary tumor:
Craniopharyngiomas
Cysts
Germinomas
Tumors that have spread from cancer in another part of the body (metastatic tumors)
About 15% of tumors in the skull are pituitary tumors. Most pituitary tumors are located in the anterior pituitary lobe and are usually noncancerous (benign).
Pituitary tumors develop in about 20% of people, although many of the tumors do not cause symptoms and the condition is never diagnosed during the person's lifetime.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with pituitary tumors include:
Changes in weight
Weight gain (unintentional
Weight loss (unintentional
Constipation
Enlarged hands, feet
Facial changes
Enlarged jaw, tongue, bones of the face
Moon face, puffy eyes
Hair changes
Coarse, thin head hair
Loss of body hair
Thinning eyebrows
Headache
Lethargy
Low blood pressure
Nasal drainage
Nausea and vomiting
Personality changes
Decreased sexual interest
Irritability
Problems with the sense of smell
Seizures
Skin changes
Temperature sensitivity
Intolerance to cold
Intolerance to heat
Visual changes
Double vision
Drooping eyelids
Weakness
Symptoms only in women:
Abnormal nipple discharge
Stopping of menstruation
Excessive body hair
Symptoms only in men:
Breast development
Impotence
Signs and tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and will note any problems with double vision and visual field, such as loss of peripheral vision or the ability to see in certain areas.
Endocrine function tests include:
Cortisol levels:
Dexamethasone suppression test
Urine cortisol test
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels
Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels
Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels
Serum prolactin levels
Testosterone/estradiol levels
Thyroid hormone levels:
Free T4 test
TSH test
Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include the following:
Formal visual field testing
MRI of head
Treatment
Pituitary tumors are usually not cancerous and therefore won't spread to other areas of the body. However, they can cause serious problems by putting pressure on important nerves and blood vessels.
Surgery to remove the tumor is often necessary, especially if the tumor is pressing on the optic nerves, which could cause blindness.
Most of the time, pituitary tumors can be removed through the nose and sinuses. However, some tumors cannot be removed this way and will require removal through the skull (transcranial).
Radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumor, either in combination with surgery or for people who cannot undergo surgery.
The following medications may shrink certain types of tumors:
Bromocriptine or cabergoline are the first-line therapy for tumors that release prolactin. These drugs decrease prolactin levels and shrink the tumor.
Ocreotide or pegvisomant is sometimes used for tumors that release growth hormone, especially when surgery is unlikely to result in a cure.
Support Groups
The Pituitary Network Association -- www.pituitary.org
Expectations (prognosis)
If the tumor can be surgically removed, the outlook is fair to good, depending upon whether the entire tumor is removed.
Complications
The most serious complication is blindness, which can occur if the optic nerve is seriously damaged.
Permanent hormonal imbalances may be caused by the tumor or its removal. This may require replacement of the affected hormones.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of a pituitary tumor.
References
Ezzat S, Asa SL, Couldwell WT, et al. The prevalence of pituitary adenomas. Cancer. 2004 Aug 1;101(3):613-9. Review.
Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior Pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Kronenberg: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.
Pituitary Cancer
Definition
A pituitary tumor is an abnormal growth in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that regulates the body's balance of hormones.
Alternative Names
Tumor - pituitary
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The pituitary gland is a pea-sized endocrine gland located at the base of the brain. The pituitary regulates and controls the release of hormones from other endocrine glands, which in turn regulate many body processes. These hormones include:
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Growth hormone (GH)
Prolactin
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
About 75% of pituitary tumors release hormones. When a tumor produces too much of one or more hormones, the following conditions may occur:
Central hypothyroidism (excess thyroid-stimulating hormone)
Cushing syndrome (excess adrenocorticotropic hormone)
Gigantism or acromegaly (excess growth hormone)
Prolactinoma (excess prolactin)
As the tumor grows, hormone-secreting cells of the pituitary may be damaged, causing hypopituitarism.
The causes of pituitary tumors are unknown, although some are a part of a hereditary disorder called multiple endocrine neoplasia I (MEN I).
There are other types of tumors that can be found in the same area of the head as a pituitary tumor:
Craniopharyngiomas
Cysts
Germinomas
Tumors that have spread from cancer in another part of the body (metastatic tumors)
About 15% of tumors in the skull are pituitary tumors. Most pituitary tumors are located in the anterior pituitary lobe and are usually noncancerous (benign).
Pituitary tumors develop in about 20% of people, although many of the tumors do not cause symptoms and the condition is never diagnosed during the person's lifetime.
Symptoms
Symptoms associated with pituitary tumors include:
Changes in weight
Weight gain (unintentional
Weight loss (unintentional
Constipation
Enlarged hands, feet
Facial changes
Enlarged jaw, tongue, bones of the face
Moon face, puffy eyes
Hair changes
Coarse, thin head hair
Loss of body hair
Thinning eyebrows
Headache
Lethargy
Low blood pressure
Nasal drainage
Nausea and vomiting
Personality changes
Decreased sexual interest
Irritability
Problems with the sense of smell
Seizures
Skin changes
Temperature sensitivity
Intolerance to cold
Intolerance to heat
Visual changes
Double vision
Drooping eyelids
Weakness
Symptoms only in women:
Abnormal nipple discharge
Stopping of menstruation
Excessive body hair
Symptoms only in men:
Breast development
Impotence
Signs and tests
Your health care provider will perform a physical examination and will note any problems with double vision and visual field, such as loss of peripheral vision or the ability to see in certain areas.
Endocrine function tests include:
Cortisol levels:
Dexamethasone suppression test
Urine cortisol test
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels
Insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels
Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels
Serum prolactin levels
Testosterone/estradiol levels
Thyroid hormone levels:
Free T4 test
TSH test
Tests that help confirm the diagnosis include the following:
Formal visual field testing
MRI of head
Treatment
Pituitary tumors are usually not cancerous and therefore won't spread to other areas of the body. However, they can cause serious problems by putting pressure on important nerves and blood vessels.
Surgery to remove the tumor is often necessary, especially if the tumor is pressing on the optic nerves, which could cause blindness.
Most of the time, pituitary tumors can be removed through the nose and sinuses. However, some tumors cannot be removed this way and will require removal through the skull (transcranial).
Radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumor, either in combination with surgery or for people who cannot undergo surgery.
The following medications may shrink certain types of tumors:
Bromocriptine or cabergoline are the first-line therapy for tumors that release prolactin. These drugs decrease prolactin levels and shrink the tumor.
Ocreotide or pegvisomant is sometimes used for tumors that release growth hormone, especially when surgery is unlikely to result in a cure.
Support Groups
The Pituitary Network Association -- www.pituitary.org
Expectations (prognosis)
If the tumor can be surgically removed, the outlook is fair to good, depending upon whether the entire tumor is removed.
Complications
The most serious complication is blindness, which can occur if the optic nerve is seriously damaged.
Permanent hormonal imbalances may be caused by the tumor or its removal. This may require replacement of the affected hormones.
Calling your health care provider
Call your health care provider if you develop any symptoms of a pituitary tumor.
References
Ezzat S, Asa SL, Couldwell WT, et al. The prevalence of pituitary adenomas. Cancer. 2004 Aug 1;101(3):613-9. Review.
Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Anterior Pituitary. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR. Kronenberg: Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 8.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
FEBRUARY APPOINTMENT UPDATE
Greetings to all my blog followers. I just arrived home from the much awaited February appointment at MDA. Went through further testing and lab results show things are still moving in the right direction. Prolactin levels are lower but still not where they need to be. My medication is being increased to three times per week. Hormone and thyroid levels are still low and did not move much. Next appointment has been set for May and they will do a MRI at that appointment. They are very optimistic that as the prolactin levels are decreasing the tumor should be shrinking. I'm praying that the results of that MRI will show nothing except a brain in there; nothing extra.
The doctor also informed us that her husband has taken a professorship at Vanderbilt so she will be following him there. I wish God's blessings on her and her family and I pray that whomever takes over my treatment will be just as proactive and concerned as she has been.
I have been feeling much better the last three weeks. Headaches have become rare and my energy level is much improved. Still not sleeping as well as I would like but that is probably from normal stress. I continue to thank God for the progress and healing He has provided me through this journey and am confident He will carry me through.
The doctor also informed us that her husband has taken a professorship at Vanderbilt so she will be following him there. I wish God's blessings on her and her family and I pray that whomever takes over my treatment will be just as proactive and concerned as she has been.
I have been feeling much better the last three weeks. Headaches have become rare and my energy level is much improved. Still not sleeping as well as I would like but that is probably from normal stress. I continue to thank God for the progress and healing He has provided me through this journey and am confident He will carry me through.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Difficulties We Face Are Short Lived
Max Lucado falls on my favorite author's list and I have read most of his books. Here is a quote from his Everyday Blessings book he wrote in 2004.
"Struggling with life's difficulties makes us a little wiser, a little more capable, enabling us to comfort others who experience pain.
Any difficulties we face in life are short-lived; all rewards are eternal. A divine inheritance will be our reward for faithfulness to our heavenly Father."
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him.
Colossians 2:6 (NCV)
"Struggling with life's difficulties makes us a little wiser, a little more capable, enabling us to comfort others who experience pain.
Any difficulties we face in life are short-lived; all rewards are eternal. A divine inheritance will be our reward for faithfulness to our heavenly Father."
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him.
Colossians 2:6 (NCV)
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