November 3 was the 36th anniversary of my pituitary surgery at NIH.
As one can imagine, it hasn’t been all happiness and light. Most of my journey has been documented here and on the message boards – and elsewhere around the web.
My Cushing’s has been in remission for most of these 36 years. Due to scarring from my pituitary surgery, I developed adrenal insufficiency.
I took growth hormone for a while.
When I got kidney cancer, I had to stop the GH, even though no doctor would admit to any connection between the two. Until I was 10 years NED (no evidence of disease) from cancer, I still couldn’t go back on the GH but I’m back now.
During that surgery, doctors removed my left kidney, my adrenal gland, and some lymph nodes. Thankfully, the cancer was contained – but my adrenal insufficiency is even more severe than it was.
In the last year, I’ve developed ongoing knee issues. Because of my cortisol use to keep the AI at bay, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to get a cortisone injection in my knee.
My mom has moved in with us, bring some challenges…
But, this is a post about Giving Thanks. The series will be continued on this blog unless I give thanks about something else Cushing’s related 🙂
I am so thankful that in 1987 the NIH existed and that my endo knew enough to send me there.
I am thankful for Dr. Ed Oldfield, my pituitary neurosurgeon at NIH.
I’m thankful for Dr. Harvey Cushing and all the work he did. Otherwise, I might be the fat lady in Ringling Brothers now.
To be continued in the following days here at http://www.maryo.co/
