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I went to Dr. LeBlanc (Fort Worth) yesterday (Wednesday) and his take on this malady did not seem as dire as the other neurologists I spoke to. He says that he would go up through the nose or the roof of the mouth to reach my new friend. So now I am perplexed and confused.
I am unsure what to do, so I have decided to get a 2nd opinion. After researching doctors, I decided to call Dr. Mickey (Dallas) for an appointment. I will find out tomorrow when that appointment will be.
This is a flip of the coin, but my decision will be based on what Dr. Mickey says. I understand he is outstanding in his field so if he says it can be reached through the mouth or nose, then I will have Dr. LeBlanc do the surgery. If he concurs with the other 2 doctors, that they have to go through the scalp, then I will probably go with him. What would you do in this situation?
Dr. LeBlanc has become sort of a friend. He is my doctor for a different reason, but I trust him. I was just a little befuddled about his assessment.
In a previous blog entry, Susie asked how this affects some of my other health issues. Well I am not sure. I will know more later. One of the neurologists said that all of my health probs may be linked together. Wouldn’t it be great that when the Mean Humpty Dumpty is plucked off his wall, everything else gets better. Ah...to dream.
Well, that is really about all the news I have at this point. I have an appointment tomorrow with Dr. Castro (endocrinologist) and I will be there doing some fairly extensive testing. From what I understand....some of the tests have a big ouch factor.
Wish me luck and I will send it right back to you..
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A Mean Humpty Dumpty
Well here I am again so let's get started. This morning I woke up with a horrific headache and was nauseated. After drinking a glass of milk and taking a couple of aspirins, life is pretty much back to normal.
When the aspirin took effect, I started my daily google search about this tumor. Some of the articles I find are scary, but quite a few of them have a positive spin. One of the things I found out is that I have to shave my head. Evidentially having hair promotes infection during surgery and immediately after. So I need to know what you think. Should I shave my entire head and have fun with wigs? Or should I go with a long Mohawk since I do have some Cherokee blood. I could reconnect with my heritage and maybe buy some moccasins.
My husband and I had the serious talk. Once we faced what the possibilities are, we have decided that on a daily basis we will face this with a sense of humor. So...what that means is that I am taking full advantage. For example, when I want something and I am too lazy to get it myself....I ask my husband to get it for me. It goes something like this..."Honey, will you please get me a cup of tea. I'd get it myself but you know I have this tumor and all...(I drag out the "all"...for a few beats) or if I do something that is not quite pleasing to him and I know he's upset...I just point to my head and frown....gets him every time.
He knows that I'm yanking his chain, but he humors me. Am I scared, no I really don’t think I am. I’m aware of what can happen during surgery. Loss of vision, memory loss (I have already made name tags for everyone and my husband put sticky notes on all of the dogs the other day. haha), confusion, loss of sensations (I’m hoping for taste bud loss...I could stand to lose a few lbs.) and even death. Now that would be a bummer.
I envision this big egg like object (a mean Humpty Dumpty) just sitting pretty on top of my pituitary gland. I try to grab and crack it but it dodges and bobs and weaves, left and right...just out of my reach. I keep trying, knowing I will eventually grab it and squeeze it’s little yellow guts out.
What the heck...a little mind control can't hurt and who knows...miracles are possible. But just in case a miracle is not in my future, I am a realist...so surgery is probably about 2 weeks away. First, I have to undergo some additional tests and get all my ducks in a row. After that...the fun begins.
So, what I hope for you is that if you are going through the same thing or any kind of life threatening medical problem, you are able to face it, overcome it and come out the other side of whatever it is, healthier and happier. For me, humor will keep me positive.
My name is Donna and I have a "Stupid Brain Tumor"
When the aspirin took effect, I started my daily google search about this tumor. Some of the articles I find are scary, but quite a few of them have a positive spin. One of the things I found out is that I have to shave my head. Evidentially having hair promotes infection during surgery and immediately after. So I need to know what you think. Should I shave my entire head and have fun with wigs? Or should I go with a long Mohawk since I do have some Cherokee blood. I could reconnect with my heritage and maybe buy some moccasins.
My husband and I had the serious talk. Once we faced what the possibilities are, we have decided that on a daily basis we will face this with a sense of humor. So...what that means is that I am taking full advantage. For example, when I want something and I am too lazy to get it myself....I ask my husband to get it for me. It goes something like this..."Honey, will you please get me a cup of tea. I'd get it myself but you know I have this tumor and all...(I drag out the "all"...for a few beats) or if I do something that is not quite pleasing to him and I know he's upset...I just point to my head and frown....gets him every time.
He knows that I'm yanking his chain, but he humors me. Am I scared, no I really don’t think I am. I’m aware of what can happen during surgery. Loss of vision, memory loss (I have already made name tags for everyone and my husband put sticky notes on all of the dogs the other day. haha), confusion, loss of sensations (I’m hoping for taste bud loss...I could stand to lose a few lbs.) and even death. Now that would be a bummer.
I envision this big egg like object (a mean Humpty Dumpty) just sitting pretty on top of my pituitary gland. I try to grab and crack it but it dodges and bobs and weaves, left and right...just out of my reach. I keep trying, knowing I will eventually grab it and squeeze it’s little yellow guts out.
What the heck...a little mind control can't hurt and who knows...miracles are possible. But just in case a miracle is not in my future, I am a realist...so surgery is probably about 2 weeks away. First, I have to undergo some additional tests and get all my ducks in a row. After that...the fun begins.
So, what I hope for you is that if you are going through the same thing or any kind of life threatening medical problem, you are able to face it, overcome it and come out the other side of whatever it is, healthier and happier. For me, humor will keep me positive.
My name is Donna and I have a "Stupid Brain Tumor"
Monday, January 25, 2010
My Stupid Brain Tumor
Today is Monday, January 25th, 2010 and last Thursday I found out I have a brain tumor. Formally it is called a Craniodharyngioma Tumor. But in laymen’s terms it is call, “A Stupid Tumor.”
Evidentially this is a rare type of tumor, because of its location. It is comfortably resting on the top of my pituitary gland, so they will have to remove part of my skull to get to it. YIKES!
How I found out I had a tumor.
About four years ago, I had a lens transplant.
Dr. Carter out of Dallas did the surgery and recently I’ve been having vision trouble, like difficulty driving at night and my peripheral vision was messing up. I was having slight headaches and was constantly nauseated and have started to cough some.
Now, I attributed the vision trouble to the lens transplant. And I figured that the headaches and nausea were from the vision problems. The coughing, I pretty much ignored.
So...I made an appointment with Dr. Carter, the eye guy and expected him to take care of the problem, and then go to lunch with my sister. Well, it didn’t quite work out that way. I was there for 6 hours, going from one test to another. After about the first 3 hours, I knew something might be amiss.
When the testing was all done, Dr. Lee (she is on Dr. Carter’s staff) came into the room and I could tell that the news was probably not good. She told me that the tests pointed to me having a brain tumor and that Dr. Carter would be in shortly to talk to me.
I’m sitting there alone, absorbing and analyzing the news that my whole life just changed when Dr. Carter came in. He emphasized how dire this was and that I didn’t have time to screw around, so he set me up with Dr. Gerhardt, a neurologist.(Dallas) Dr. Marlin arranged for me to have a MRI and when he saw the results, told me that his practice did not operate on that type of tumor so referred me to Dr. Gerhardt,(Dallas) a Neurosurgeon.
Dr. Marlin studied the films and told me this was a rare tumor and he didn’t do this type of surgery either, so he gave me the name of someone who does. I have an appointment this coming Wednesday, with Dr. Raymond LeBlanc (Fort Worth, Tx), a doctor I have seen in the past. I trust him and he and I will find the right doctor to do this surgery.
I really didn’t have time to think about the situation until I was back home. It’s scary to know that in less than a month I could be dead. So how do I prepare for that? My husband of 31 years is pretty freaked out and tomorrow I’m having lunch with my daughter, her husband and my mother in law, because I need to tell them what’s going on.
I am one of those people who cannot stand to have people pity me. I sent an email to my friends and told them that NO PITY is allowed. Me, personally...I don’t feel sick and honestly I don’t want to be reminded of my malady. I need good karma around me. This blog that I am writing will chronicle my journey from good to perfect. So welcome to my life changing event. I hope you wish me well and I hope my trip will help you with your venture through life.
Evidentially this is a rare type of tumor, because of its location. It is comfortably resting on the top of my pituitary gland, so they will have to remove part of my skull to get to it. YIKES!
How I found out I had a tumor.
About four years ago, I had a lens transplant.
Dr. Carter out of Dallas did the surgery and recently I’ve been having vision trouble, like difficulty driving at night and my peripheral vision was messing up. I was having slight headaches and was constantly nauseated and have started to cough some.
Now, I attributed the vision trouble to the lens transplant. And I figured that the headaches and nausea were from the vision problems. The coughing, I pretty much ignored.
So...I made an appointment with Dr. Carter, the eye guy and expected him to take care of the problem, and then go to lunch with my sister. Well, it didn’t quite work out that way. I was there for 6 hours, going from one test to another. After about the first 3 hours, I knew something might be amiss.
When the testing was all done, Dr. Lee (she is on Dr. Carter’s staff) came into the room and I could tell that the news was probably not good. She told me that the tests pointed to me having a brain tumor and that Dr. Carter would be in shortly to talk to me.
I’m sitting there alone, absorbing and analyzing the news that my whole life just changed when Dr. Carter came in. He emphasized how dire this was and that I didn’t have time to screw around, so he set me up with Dr. Gerhardt, a neurologist.(Dallas) Dr. Marlin arranged for me to have a MRI and when he saw the results, told me that his practice did not operate on that type of tumor so referred me to Dr. Gerhardt,(Dallas) a Neurosurgeon.
Dr. Marlin studied the films and told me this was a rare tumor and he didn’t do this type of surgery either, so he gave me the name of someone who does. I have an appointment this coming Wednesday, with Dr. Raymond LeBlanc (Fort Worth, Tx), a doctor I have seen in the past. I trust him and he and I will find the right doctor to do this surgery.
I really didn’t have time to think about the situation until I was back home. It’s scary to know that in less than a month I could be dead. So how do I prepare for that? My husband of 31 years is pretty freaked out and tomorrow I’m having lunch with my daughter, her husband and my mother in law, because I need to tell them what’s going on.
I am one of those people who cannot stand to have people pity me. I sent an email to my friends and told them that NO PITY is allowed. Me, personally...I don’t feel sick and honestly I don’t want to be reminded of my malady. I need good karma around me. This blog that I am writing will chronicle my journey from good to perfect. So welcome to my life changing event. I hope you wish me well and I hope my trip will help you with your venture through life.
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