Kirsten found out this morning that her prolactinoma, which was mostly removed during a transsphenoidal surgery in 2006, is back and larger than ever. She’ll see a neurosurgeon in a couple weeks to discuss another operation.

Kirsten’s Prolactinoma
Brent Danley, The Rhetoric, August 3, 2006

kirsten · pituitary · prolactinoma · surgery · tumor · tumour

Once again I must thank all of you who’ve been following this blog to know how Kirsten’s doing. She’s feeling well. The cerebrospinal fluid leak she developed that was giving her horrific headaches seems to have healed. Her face looks as beautiful as it did before her surgery. We appreciate the cards, flowers, meals, offers of support, expressions of concern and encouragement, and especially Patsy for taking the girls for a couple weeks and showing them a great time in Florida.

Last night we went to a Wichita Wranglers baseball game. The Customer Service Support Group had extra tickets. We had a great time.

Today we went to the Wichita Flight Festival at Jabara Airport. The girls got tired so after I exhausted my four gigabytes of memory cards we left. I got some great pictures.

kirsten · prolactinoma · surgery

I spoke to Kirsten on the phone this morning. She said they removed the packing from her nose. Dr. Hsu’s PA, Wendy, said Kirsten can go home whenever the other doctors release her. Dr. Michael visited her later and said everything looks good and she can be released.

We’re finally going home!

Kirsten’s going to take the shower this morning she’s been eagerly anticipating since Wednesday. That should make her feel better. She still sounds like her nose is full of gauze.

I spoke with my dad this morning. The girls went to the beach yesterday for a couple hours. We’re glad they’re enjoying their time with their family in Florida.

kirsten · prolactinoma · surgery

A friend and former coworker, Pat Resser, came to the hospital shortly after I published my last blog entry. Soon after she arrived Dr. Hsu came out to tell me how the surgery went. Kirsten was a dream patient because she’s so “skinny” and in peak physical health. The tumor was soft and her tissues behaved optimally. He said since she is so “skinny” (she’s going to like hearing that) he was able to easily get the required access. He didn’t have to insert a spinal fluid drain and there is no damage to the optic nerve. Perfect.

While we were talking to Dr. Hsu Kirsten was waking up in the operating room. After she was awake they moved her to recovery where they would monitor her before taking her to her room. While that was going on Pat and I went to the coffee shop downstairs to grab a bite to eat and talk. While we were there Wayne and Joyce Mercer, our neighbors, showed up and joined us at our booth. It was nice to sit and chat with caring friends free from the palpable stresses which had been constant since our last appointment with Dr. Hsu.

I’m drafting this entry from Kirsten’s room in the Neurological Critical Care Unit at Via Christi-St. Francis. She was awake when I arrived and able to talk. Her nose is quite swollen–I’ll spare you any pictures. You’re welcome.–and packed with gauze. Other than that she looks great! Dr. Hsu said she’ll be here in the NCCU for three to five days before being released. There is some risk of bleeding in her brain which they’ll monitor as well as hormone imbalances resulting from a bruised pituitary gland.

Words cannot express the deep gratitude I feel for those of you who offer help; keep us in your thoughts; and have compassion for me, Kirsten, and the girls. Thank you!

kirsten · prolactinoma · surgery

We woke up this morning shortly after three o’clock. At a quarter after five we left for Via Christi. Kirsten had completed her pre-op testing and paperwork days before so we were ushered into the admissions waiting room. After a short time we were led to the third floor where we parted ways; Kirsten went to surgery and I found a table where I knew I would be spending the better part of the morning.

The waiting room is nice. There are many families watching t.v., reading, and talking quietly. Doctors frequently come in and out to let family know how the surgeries went. Kirsten’s surgery should have started eighty minutes ago. I’ve been writing Excel VBA code for Skye’s arithmetic worksheets, reading The Economist and John Grisham’s “The Summons”, and eagerly watching the clock while I wait for Dr. Hsu. He probably won’t be done for another hour or so.

kirsten · pituitary · prolactinoma · surgery · tumor · tumour

About a year and a half ago doctors discovered a prolactinoma in Kirsten. At the time it was small so her neurosurgeon sent her to an endocrinologist for drug therapy. She’s been taking a thyroid medication, daily steriod injection (Norditropin®), and Dostinex® (to reduce the size of the tumor). A couple weeks ago her regular MRI revealed that the tumor has grown significantly.

She’s having surgery Tuesday to remove the tumor. Patsy and Dad will watch the girls at their house in Florida until Kirsten is well enough for us to go down and bring them back. Patsy arrives Saturday to accompany the girls on their flights. We are humbled and grateful for their sacrifice and willingness to do whatever they can to ease our burden.

We have received a tremendous outpouring of support from family, friends, coworkers, and our beloved Flickr friends. Thank you all.

Please leave a comment if you have any questions (it’ll give me something to write about.) I’ll try to post frequently over the next week so everyone who cares will be up to speed.

kirsten · pituitary · prolactinoma · surgery · tumor · tumour