Today is the 34th 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 34 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.
A few years ago I went back on it (Omnitrope this time). I am posting some of how that’s going here.
During nephrectomy, 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 several years, 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. September 12, 2018 I did get that knee injection (Kenalog) and it’s been one of the best things I ever did. I didn’t look forward to telling my endo! I have had a couple more injections. I’ve been approved for a new gel injection but haven’t started that yet – that would be a three-time injection over 3 weeks.
I also developed an allergy to blackberries last October and had to take Prednisone – and I had to tell my endo that, too!
This year I had squamous cell carcinoma on my nose and had Mohs Surgery.
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. Unfortunately, Dr. Oldfield died.
I’m thankful for Dr. Harvey Cushing and all the work he did. Otherwise, I might be the fat lady in Ringling Brothers now.
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From Facebook, 2022: Gina said “Grateful for you MaryO!!! You’re not gonna know till you get to heaven how many people you helped thru your tireless advocacy!”
Nov 05, 2022 @ 11:18:41
More from Facebook, 2022 – Janice said “I’m so happy that you documented your life. And am grateful you gave up so Much of your life to raise awareness for our disease….If it weren’t for the support that you have provided all of us over the years life would be so Much more difficult. Thanks for everything you’ve done and continue to do”
Marie said “Congrats to you on this special anniversary! I feel so honored and blessed to have met you on a few occasions and most grateful for your visit at NIH while I was there for 3 weeks. Thank you so much for your kindness and support! They meant alot to me!”
Judy said “Thank you, thank you, thank you….”
Aemi said “Amazing. Thank you for sharing your story and for continuing to educate doctors on Cushings!”
Nov 09, 2022 @ 05:57:43
Hi thannks for posting this