Officially it's called an adenoma

You can Google Non-Functioning Pituitary Adenoma if you want detailed information but in a nutshell it’s a benign tumor in my pituitary gland.

Three times, it's grown to the point where it affected my optic nerves and pituitary function. Surgery was performed Feb. 2007 again in Feb. 2009 and yet again Nov. 11, 2010 to remove as much of it as possible.

My vision was preserved in each case however I've lost Growth Hormone production and am on thyroid medication to help those levels.

I had radiation after my last surgery. The risk is I could over time loose all pituitary function. The hope is it will slow or stop the persistent tumor's aggressive growth.

10/17/10

Didn't mean to sound dire

last post. A couple friends sent emails in response to it worried about our finances.  We'll be okay.  Will it be tough?  Yeah. I am feeling overwhelmed at the moment so if my emails or posts sound abrupt, strange or dire please grant a little leeway. We have wonderful insurance through Chris' work.  However this situation on the heels of Chris' spine surgery is well overwhelming.  As soon as it sinks in, I'll take several deep breathes then take a hard look at my coverage, how many trips to OHSU, how we'll deal with Chris needing work, us needing his paycheck and me needing him with me at times, how many tests will be needed after etc... I'd thought, planned on, last Tuesday's testing trip being my last for another year. Now the situation is totally different, I'm still in shock, still trying to wrap my head around it.  Everyone is being very supportive and wants to help if we need.  All I was trying to say before is I still don't know what, who, when, where or if help is needed. 
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