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.

1/19/11

Some people

lose weight due to radiation.  The body trying to repair, heal, needs energy and can burn calories.  Has this wonder of nature happened to me?  No,  I've gained instead :(    Why? 

1.  Fatigue = Lack of motion

2. Comfort food - I try to be mature about needing a 3rd surgery, radiation & failing hormones but haven't  always succeeded, whining and chocolate were then involved.

3. Secondary Hypothyroidism aka pituitary failing to stimulate thyroid properly = slowed metabolism.  While replacement hormone won't magically make me skinny, eventually it's supposed to restore my 'normal' metabolism.  I'm on the lowest dose now.  My doctor will slowly increase that in six week intervals until my test results are 'normal' so I may not reach 'normal' for months.

Sigh.  Patience.  I must remember patience.
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