Anyway, as mentioned in my previous blog, we were waiting on the last test to see if the tumor was a producing tumor or not. The test finally came back and my tumor is a producing tumor; producing the hormone prolactin. My prolactin levels are 12 times what they should be. What this means is it is possible to treat this type of tumor with medication first to see if the medication can shrink the tumor; if not we go to surgery. She said she was going to confer with the neurosurgeon and a final decision made on Monday 11/10. Being that surgery is currently set for 11/17, not having to have surgery would be an answer to thousands of prayers. God is hearing and answering those prayers......just in the nick of time.
The medication, of course, has some side effects, one of which is headaches--oh great!, nausea--lovely, and fatigue--yawn. But, if it works, it is better than surgery. Although, I really was looking forward to 4 weeks of rest; oh, how I was looking forward to that. Oh well.
The doctor said there is an 80% chance the medication will reduce the size of the tumor and possibly eliminate it. If it doesn't, it will at least shrink the tumor making the surgery easier when we have to do it.
Prolactinoma is a benign tumor in the area of your pituitary gland that produces prolactin, and is the most common type of pituitary tumor. This prevalant tumor can cause overproduction of prolactin, resulting in high levels of prolactin and corresponding low levels of estrogen in women and testosterone in men. (I wonder if the person who invented viagra had a pituitary tumor and didn't know it :)
Symptoms for prolactinoma, when experienced, are the same as those for hyperprolactinemia plus headaches and vision changes.
When treatment for prolactinoma is necessary, it is often effectively treated with medications to restore your prolactin hormone levels back to normal by mimicking dopamine effects.
Bromocriptine and cabergoline are drugs used to reduce prolactin levels in both men and women. Usually taken for life, most responding with lower hormone levels. Bromocriptine may cause side effects, such as:
fatigue
headache
dizziness
constipation
lightheadedness
nasal congestion
abdominal cramps
nausea & vomiting
Cabergoline causes significantly fewer side effects, is more expensive and may have a heart valve issue with high doses.
Pray for a confirmation of no surgery.
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2 comments:
Well my dear, you have come to a fork in the road and we pray that this new path will lead to the end of your journey. Your journey has certainly been one of ups and downs with many valleys, but we know for sure that God is in charge! This is awesome news and we continue to pray that this medication works and that the side effects are minimal. I can't tell you how much I admire your strength and courage as you travel through this. The emotional stress is tremendous and yet you just "keep on keepin on"! God's light is truly shining through you. God bless you and we love you. Mom
Randy--Your news is truly GREAT and it shows how AWESOME our Lord is. You can see the Master's hand at work through out. The news of the possibility of having no surgery is amazing. You have given and continue to give our Heavenly Father your best and He is blessing you with His best. I am reminded of my favorite praise song "Shout to the Lord"--
"My Jesus My Savior
Lord there is none like You
All of my days
I want to praise the wonders of Your Mighty love
My comfort, my shelter
Tower of refuge and strength
Let every breath
All that I am never cease to worship You
Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing
Power & Majesty Praise to the King
Mountains bow down & the seas will roar,
At the sound of Your name
I sing for joy at the work of Your hands
Forever I love You forever I’ll stand
Nothing compares to the promise I have in You."
We will pray fervently that the news this week will be "no surgery" and that you will have "no side effects from the medication" and that the Lord will place His healing hands on you so that everyone will know and the doctors will have no explanation but to proclaim and give glory to our God for his GREATNESS!
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