Author Topic: Well, Damn..... (Read 5204 times)

AmbulanceDriver · « **on:** April 01, 2010, 11:30:44 AM »

Just got a call from the doc's office. Have been having some assorted problems over the last couple years, couldn't find out what's going on. Finally talked doc into doing an MRI of the ol' brain pan. Guess what. I've got a Pituitary Macroadenoma. That's the bad news. The good news is that they're not malignant, and that the particular type I have is very easily and very successfully treated with dopamine agonists. Except that I might have to be on said dopamine agonists for the rest of my life. And I'm only 33.

Damn.

So now I'm waiting to get a call back from the endocrinologist's office to figure out what's next. Hopefully they don't want to do a neuro consult too, because *that* means they're thinking they need to actually do, you know, BRAIN SURGERY first to get rid of the majority of the tumor.

Ok. that just scared the bejeebers outta me typing the word TUMOR in relation to MY BODY, and especially something so near to my friggin' brain.

Gee, is 0830 too early to pour a double portion of rum?

Mabs2 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2010, 11:32:48 AM »

Dang.
Well, look on the bright side: Obamacare will make all the treatments and medicines come instantly and free for you.

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2010, 11:34:27 AM »

Quote from: Mabs on April 01, 2010, 11:32:48 AM

Dang.
Well, look on the bright side: Obamacare will make all the treatments and medicines come instantly and free for you.

Great. Maybe a triple portion of rum will let me stop thinking about Obamacare and my brain.

Ben · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2010, 11:35:38 AM »

Really sorry to hear that man. Best wishes for a successful treatment.

Mabs2 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 01, 2010, 12:03:38 PM »

Quote from: 62 65 6e on April 01, 2010, 11:35:38 AM

Really sorry to hear that man. Best wishes for a successful treatment.

Indeed.

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2010, 12:08:58 PM »

Well, was just talking it over with the Mrs. Feeling a little bit better... But it's still unnerving. And the more I research it, the better I'm feeling about it. Well, not better, but "less bad."

But those are still statistics, and it's kinda hard for statistics to top, "You've got something growing in your skull that doesn't belong there!"

Brad Johnson · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2010, 12:21:40 PM »

Quote from: AmbulanceDriver on April 01, 2010, 12:08:58 PM

But those are still statistics, and it's kinda hard for statistics to top, "You've got something growing in your skull that doesn't belong there!"

Just thing of it as a big booger.

Brad

Leatherneck · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2010, 12:46:42 PM »

I know the shock you mean hearing the first news. You'll get over it and come to think of it as "No big deal."
TC

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2010, 12:49:33 PM »

Quote from: Brad Johnson on April 01, 2010, 12:21:40 PM

Just thing of it as a big booger.

Brad

Yeah, sure. You wanna hold the hankie while I blow my pituitary? :)

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2010, 12:50:05 PM »

Quote from: Leatherneck on April 01, 2010, 12:46:42 PM

I know the shock you mean hearing the first news. You'll get over it and come to think of it as "No big deal."
TC

Yeah, I know. and it's not like this thing is malignant. It's just... Weird...

Perd Hapley · « **Reply #10 on:** April 01, 2010, 05:03:35 PM »

But deep inside, you've always known there was something wrong with your brain.

We did.

Sorry to hear about that. Best wishes.

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #11 on:** April 01, 2010, 06:01:56 PM »

Quote from: fi ful on April 01, 2010, 05:03:35 PM

But deep inside, you've always known there was something wrong with your brain.

We did.

Well, duh.... :)

Leatherneck · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2010, 07:44:59 PM »

That fi ful always gets it wrong. He probably planted a brainworm in you via the internets.

TC

Scout26 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 01, 2010, 09:20:35 PM »

Sorry to hear that, but I am glad to hear that it's not worse.

vaskidmark · « **Reply #14 on:** April 02, 2010, 12:21:53 AM »

Relax. I got you an appointment with Dr. Grumpy. He's gonna look at your goop and see what needs fixin', then do it. http://drgrumpyinthehouse.blogspot.com/2010/04/why-i-do-what-i-do.html

Please select your position on the following scale with great care. It may impact how Dr. Grumpy handles your goop:

Levels of Patient Crazy

1. Normal. They exist, even constitute the majority of patients. They make poor blog fodder, however, so you wouldn't know that that they even exist from reading any medical blog.

2. Crazy. These are the "fun crazy" folks. A little off, but you don't cringe when you see them on the schedule.

3. Bat-sh*t crazy. Your stomach drops a little when you see the name on the schedule.

4. F*cking Nuts. These folks seem intent on driving YOU nuts too.

5. Mouth agape and head shaking. You are lost for words upon meeting these folks. Fortunately, they are rare.

stay safe.

skidmark

Monkeyleg · « **Reply #15 on:** April 02, 2010, 12:42:24 AM »

That would scare the hell out of me. Looking on the bright side, though, you're getting treatment before Obamacare kicks in. That means you'll pull through alright.

PTK · « **Reply #16 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:32:45 AM »

Since I read this, I've been struggling to figure out what to say. Being that I've not come up with anything, I'll simply say I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Also, as an aside, thanks once again for having the gumption to have the job you do. It lets people like myself live.

Ned Hamford · « **Reply #17 on:** April 02, 2010, 02:20:56 AM »

Quote from: PTK on April 02, 2010, 01:32:45 AM

Since I read this, I've been struggling to figure out what to say. Being that I've not come up with anything, I'll simply say I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Also, as an aside, thanks once again for having the gumption to have the job you do. It lets people like myself live.

What he said.

Plenty of folks rooting for you.

wmenorr67 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 02, 2010, 08:20:32 AM »

Look on the bright side, at least they found out you have a brain. Someone had to say it.

But I'm pulling for you and you'll do fine.

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #19 on:** April 02, 2010, 09:41:07 AM »

Thanks guys. A new morning gives better perspective on all that, so I'm kinda switching into "ok, still freaky but not gonna freak out about it" mode. :)

Oh, and wmenorr? I knew I had a brain. I got to see the pretty pictures of it on the MRI screen after they finished the scan. Seriously one of the coolest things I've ever seen. I'm actually gonna ask my doc if I can get a copy of the MRI scan somehow.

BryanP · « **Reply #20 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:13:09 PM »

Sorry to hear you're having problems, glad to hear you're feeling a bit better about it this morning. Good luck, we're all pulling for you.

Balog · « **Reply #21 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:24:00 PM »

I'm really sorry to hear that AD. Even tho it's not malignant that's gotta be very scary.

So, if they do need to go in and do some type of surgery to remove it, would you still be on the medication you described for the rest of your life?

AmbulanceDriver · « **Reply #22 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:28:45 PM »

Balog, it's possible. Unfortunately this kind of thing has a high likelihood of recurring if surgically removed. I'll know more after I see the endocrinologist.

Balog · « **Reply #23 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:33:47 PM »

Good luck man. I'll be praying.

RocketMan · « **Reply #24 on:** April 02, 2010, 01:43:17 PM »

AD, sorry that you are having difficulties. But it's good to know the problem can be managed. All prayers and well wishes for you, sir.
Regarding Balog's question, how about if it's left in place? Will it eventually reach some sort of equilibrium and stop growing? Is leaving it in place problematic?

News:

Author Topic: Well, Damn..... (Read 5204 times)