The Prolactinoma Is Back
Feb. 17, 2009 · 19 Comments
Kirsten's MRI scans, January 27, 2009
Kirsten’s Prolactinoma
Brent Danley, The Rhetoric, August 3, 2006
kirsten · pituitary · prolactinoma · surgery · tumor · tumour
Brent Danley
Science, technology, humor and wisdom.
© 2010 Saco Bay New Media
April Creamer · 20090217 at 17:04
How long does the recovery normally take?
Jim Griggs · 20090217 at 17:33
Keep us up to date on the recovery please. She is one special gal and you are one lucky guy.
Steven Pam · 20090218 at 04:46
Hack it out again, I say! Cheeky damn prolactinoma….
Admin comment by Brent Danley · 20090218 at 07:33
In another post, April Creamer asked,
Kirsten had a disruption in menstruation for months. A friend encouraged her to see her doctor, which she did. After taking medication to jump start her period failed, her doctor ordered blood tests. Her Prolactin levels were very high, so a CT scan was ordered. That test found lumps so an MRI was ordered. The tumor reduction drug therapies prescribed by her endocrinologist were ineffective after more than a year so we consulted a neurosurgeon who eventually remove the tumor in a transsphenoidal operation.
Most patients first visit their doctor after they experience vision problems. This is caused by the prolactinoma putting pressure on the optic nerve.
We were very fortunate to catch the tumor before it got large enough to damage Kirsten’s vision. It’s great to have friends who are conscientious and caring. Kirsten may not have gone to the doctor without prodding. She liked not having a menstrual cycle.
April also asked,
The transsphenoidal surgery is minimally invasive. They go through the nasal cavity so there are no visible incisions. It’s a few days in the hospital to monitor hormone levels and to let the bleeding stop. Kirsten suffered a cerebrospinal fluid leak last time and had to stay completely horizontal for a week.
Also, because the pituitary gland controls body hormones, there were many blood tests and changes to medications to get her leveled out. She takes several pills each day as well as a daily hormone injection. Those drugs are very expensive.
We need single-payer universal health care NOW! For-profit medicine is killing us and devastating our economy!
You can read more about Kirsten’s experience in my blog posts with the tag ‘prolactinoma‘.
Thank you, friends, for your compassion and concern. I’m not as worried this time as I was the last, because I know better what to expect. I don’t trust the medical community because they have a profit motive. We don’t have the money to pay for what will be very expensive procedures–even with insurance.
Jason Gendron · 20090218 at 18:56
Wow, that’s not good…Hope everything works out ok.
Cassiday · 20090219 at 18:21
She is in my thoughts. I wish her nothing but the best. This makes me sad…..what horrible news
Admin comment by Brent Danley · 20090219 at 18:31
@Cass – Thanks, Sweetie. Don’t let it ruin your fun in…VEGAS!!! We wish we could come with you.
Kevin H. Stecyk · 20090224 at 11:18
Best of luck Kirsten and Brent. I wish you Kirsten great success with your next surgery. And I hope that the prolactinoma demon is forever slain. My very best wishes go out to your entire family!
Brian · 20090224 at 11:27
“I’m not as worried this time as I was the last, because I know better what to expect.”
Still, your heart must’ve sunk. I’m so sorry to hear she/you/your family have to face this again. I’m glad to hear they have a minimally invasive procedure for reaching it, though. The very best of luck to you. I’m hoping for the very best for you and I look forward to getting positive updates.
Sue Amero · 20090224 at 11:56
Brent and Kristin, Aj and I send our very best wishes and hopes that everything goes smoothly and Kristin is back to good health soon.
“We need single-payer universal health care NOW! For-profit medicine is killing us and devastating our economy!” I agree 100% with this statement!
Beth · 20090224 at 12:41
Good thoughts going out to Kirsten. Keep up the positive atitude, it really does make a difference.
Matt Ottosen · 20090224 at 13:08
I’m so sorry, you guys are in my thoughts!
Dani · 20090224 at 18:49
Not fair. :(
I wish the best for you guys. You’ll wipe this one out too and then hopefully, that will be the end of this problem.
Rob · 20090225 at 15:49
Oh dear, I do hope the next treatment is successful, and marks an end to this.
Rob
Maddy · 20090226 at 15:32
Wow…I had no idea!!
Give her my love Brent, would you?
xxxxx
Admin comment by Brent Danley · 20090226 at 15:35
@Thanks, Maddy. How, exactly, would you like me to pass along the love? Be specific. ;)
Jen · 20090228 at 01:16
Much love to Kirsten and the whole Danley family from ours. I keep thinking of a pic you must have posted in 2006 of a very confident Kirsten with a gun. It was kick ass! Which is what I’m sure Kirsten will do.
Dan Bernard · 20090301 at 20:09
Our thoughts go out to you. Modern medicine has come a long way.
Hilary · 20090327 at 19:21
Brent, I was really sorry to hear of this, and I hope the treatment will be completely successful. I'll be thinking of you both, and the girls too.