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Stacey, Pituitary Video

October 7, 2025

MaryO Interview, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments, Video , , , Leave a comment

Stacey is a good friend of mine who has had pituitary surgery for her Cushing’s Disease.  She spoke recently at the Johns Hopkins Pituitary Day event.

She did a CTV News Segment which is available on YouTube:

This week’s ‘Inspirational Moments with Mikea’ features Stacey Hardy. A rare disease kept the mother of one out of full-time work for nearly five years. Hardy turned to a local non-profit, The Training Source, to help her get back on her feet.

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Chris (suter32), Pituitary Bio

October 6, 2025

MaryO Male, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , 1 Comment

Diagnosed with Cushings while in the Navy, in pursuit of Navy SEAL.

– Had the drill through the face surgery.

– Skipped most pain killers

– refused convalescent leave

– 1  month after rode first 400 mile bike ride (sucked)

– 2 months after, rode second 400 mile bike ride (better)

– 3 months after, raced first triathlon (sucked)

– raced a few more triathlons and 300-400 bike rides

– began racing bicycles

– refused medical retirement from the navy

– Raced RAAM, a 3000 mile 8 day bike race (sucked, and awesome, depends how you look at it)

– Was found fit for full duty

– Was granted a full dive physical for Spec Ops

– Trained with the SEALs for 6 months

– Was awarded a SEAL contract (but was not allowed to go due to Navy politics, such is life)

– Currently play D1 Rugby

– Active member and chapter captain (soon to be) of Team Red White and Blue, a wounded warrior support/awareness group

– Still going strong and always looking for the next challenge.

Destituts Ventis Remus Adhibe (sign I put up in my hospital room during the whole Cushings adventure, means: If the Wind fails to serve, take to the Oars).

–  Ive been there, Ive done it.  Its all a matter of staring down the nightmare and showing more determination and resolve than it has.  Cushings is a wimp.  Ok yeah it sucked, but I owned it.

Seriously though, all joking aside, if there is anything I can say or do for anyone going through it all, let me know.

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Lucienne S, Pituitary Bio

October 5, 2025

MaryO Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , Leave a comment

Lou – age 33 – British

Self diagnosed after 6 years of cushings & UK doctors who dismissed me as depressed & unluckily unhealthy.

pituitary-location12mm macroadenoma & pituitary gland completely removed in London National Neuro Hospital in Jan 2012. Still going through rehabilitation from cushings & surgery damage.

Finally on complete hormone replacement 20 months later (6/7 drugs) had to fight for some (some legitimate & some ludicrous reasons), still facing uninformed doctors & so called ‘specialists’ every week, who misdiagnose conditions or make wrong assumptions, so am now well studied in general medicine & endocrinology myself, particularly with the post illness complications & resulting conditions from cushings damage & pituitary loss. This helps keep an eye on things albeit tiring studying while sick.

Happy to get involved when asked, or answer any personal questions at lousencier@me.com

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Denise H (deekay), Pituitary Bio

October 4, 2025

MaryO Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

I am a 45 yr old female

pituitary-glandI was dignosed with Cushing’s in April 2013 i had surgery in June 2013 to remove a tumor on my pituitary gland.

I have had some ups and downs with joint and muscle pains and emotional issues.After my 8 week check up they decreased my meds down but my levels were not normal at that time yet.   I just recently had my blood checked again and my levels were really high in the normal range so they advised me that I could stop taking my meds all together which they say is a great thing.

I had been having some of the same issues and symptoms as when i first went to doctor that  started coming up this is why i asked for blood test in first place and they are stating with meds and my own levels i am once again overproducing makes sense.  However i am not feeling well at all severe muscle pains in knees and feel like i need a crane to get out of bed from being so stiff everyday.

I feel like i am once again an emotional wreck and have issues and nobobdy seem to understand this terrible disease and what it does to your body and one’s self.  I have been married 23 yrs and have 2 beautiful daughters.

I gained over 45 pounds with all this I am down about 20 so far still have a ways to go for sure.

I really  need some support with dealing with all this they say about 6-18 months to truly recover from this and feel so alone sometimes.

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Cassie, Pituitary Bio

September 26, 2025

MaryO Golden Oldies, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , 2 Comments

A Golden Oldie

Hi.  I was diagnosed with a 2.5 pituitary tumor and Cushing’s Disease in late April.  I had surgery and it was removed in early May.

I was feeling fantastic until mid-July.  Now I have pain constantly. My joints and muscles hurt so badly that I can barely walk.

I was so happy to have the diagnoses after 25 years of complaining to doctors about my symptoms.  However, I am in so much pain now that I almost wish I had never had the surgery.

On the up side, I’ve lost almost 40 lbs. Help!!

Any advise would be incredibly helpful.

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Claudia C, Pituitary Bio

September 24, 2025

MaryO Diabetes, Golden Oldies, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, radiation, Treatments , , , , , , 2 Comments

A Golden Oldie

The pituitary gland

The pituitary gland

44 years old female, living in Guatemala diagnosed cushing disease 6 years ago, diabetic, hipertension, and 3 column hernias.

Try the surgery for the adenoma by it fail.

Try radiotherapy, but still waiting.

Suffering this damn disease.

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Trisha, Pituitary Bio

September 22, 2025

MaryO Golden Oldies, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

A Golden Oldie

pituitary-surgeryI was officially diagnosed with Cushings in December 2009. I had done several urine test ,they were inconsistant, I had the saliva test done, I had symptoms of cushings, brittle bones, fractures, fatigue, brusing, round face, weight gain quickly and hard to lose, lose focus, depression and arthritis beginning in my hands. IN December 09 I had a Dex. test done which quickly confirmed that I had cushings.

It took three years to get a diagnosis. So, I had surgery scheduled for Feb 2, 2010. I had a Cyst that ruptured so that was important to come out the surgeon removed 20 % of my pitutary, but didn’t get the tumor.

A few weeks after that surgery I have massive bleeding out my nose and mouth, and was in out of the emergency room for a week having my nose packed four times. After a month and going back to my Endo.  My endo. told me there was still a mass on my pitutary. I didn’t feel better I ached all over by the time I got home from work I was done for and could only go to bed.

In aug. 2010 I had the second surgery. the plan was to remove the mass on the left side of my pitutary if my cortisol level did not go down the day after surgery the surgeon would take me back in to remove the right side of my pitutary. Thank goodness after the blood work my cortosol was .6 so there was no need for a second surgery ( or third) I am now 4 month post surgery.

I am now taking 30 mg of hydrocortosol a day. My joints ache, I get fatigued around 1:00 and lose focus. I get very depressed some days and can do nothing. I am 46 years old and have a 19 year old son and 15 year old daughter, My husband is very supportive.

I feel so guilty for having this, people don’t understand how horrible I feel some days, just because the tumor is gone doesn’t mean I feel better. Not losing much weight yet which is frustrating. but exercising when I can.

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Melissa C, Pituitary Bio

September 20, 2025

MaryO Golden Oldies, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

A Golden Oldie

It started with severe skin acne on my back and arms. Then the bloating started. I went from one docter to the other. For months and months I was left undiagnosed. I gained so much weight, I went from a xs to a xl in a matter of 2 months.

My sugar levels was out of control and I could not concentrate on my studies. My hair started falling out and I got ugly stretch marks all over my hips and thighs.

I was finally diagnosed and had the tumar removed. Its a few weeks after surgery and I have started losing weight. I still feel ugly though, Im getting treated for low cortisol levels and I still have head aches.

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Nele, Pituitary Bio

September 16, 2025

MaryO Golden Oldies, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , Leave a comment

A Golden Oldie

I was born on Febr 1949 in a Village near Cologne Germany I have 1 Sister and a Brother and we all grow up healthy and happy.  I finished College in 1972 and worked as a RN in several Hospitals and Depatments.

1986 we had a terrible automobil accident and after taking Xrays from my head the found a macro tu.It  took me by a surprise..  i was shocked, even do i looked like a cushie for years(doc were telling me i should eat less)  so finaly i was diagnosed and  the havy set girl had a  name….  sadly to say. Cortisol levels were elevated but what was most shocking to the Endokriologist were the  huge ACTH level  .. normal level at that time was 100  ,mys were after the 2 time taking 12000. Little did I know what will happen to me (even as a Nurse i  myself the first Patient i saw with Chusing)  That time there where not many people who had that desease  .The adrenal  glands were normal no Tu ,but i had a macro tu in my  pituritay.It took more testting and preparation to  go to surgery.

The took all the test that where needed to be done at that time  (1986)  and on OKt the 6 i want into surgery, which changed my life forever…after surgery. The removed the Pituritary   i had a drainage in my back for liqour liquid… my head was hurting terrible  after a couple days i had the empty sella symptoms…for 3 days i had stars in front of me  may i  say it like that.  And than the  Diabetes Insipidus startet… which stayed with me for 10 years.I am full replacement of all hormons  and since one year i get  growth hormones which give  me a bit more energy .In the meantime i baddle the desease osteoporopsis, what ever i do it  takes over my body  ((((

If i can help anybody please feel free to contact me

Much love my fellow chushies from

Nele Weal

Please i am so sorry for mistakes i made in english here   i am german National and speak  well english but the writing part is hard for me

Note: Nele submitted a second version of her bio:

HellO I am Nele born in Febr 1949 in Germany lived there want to school there and college . I am a retired RN .

In 1986, we had a terrible car accident, and my head was xrayd and the found the tu. But weight gain i had for many years . Not one doc thought, that  i  might have cushings, not the tested me for it.All i heard was loose weight stop eating.  which i never was a overeater  anyway.

MY ACTH levels were so high… that the never dod the 3 test..  the 2 test came back into the 12000 normal would  have been that time around 100.IN Okt 1986 i had my surgery, and this changed my life for ever….  the removed my pituritary totaly .

My Surgeon said  that the P was through and through woth Tu mass..after Surgery i had D I  and drank so much and this for 10 years i had shots for it as well  .  I forgot how big the TU was. I had all ready blind spots in my vision..  which i never realized because, what you don’t see you move your head.

I am on 100% replacement Meds including thyroids  HYC and since one year i been getting  growth hormons  which help me a lot with my energy level.  But the downfall of all the  HYC  is  i have severe  osteoporosis and   get tretament for this now. I doing ok i guess. life is not easy living with the desease but we are positive and move forwards.

Sorry for my bad english .  i have a hard time writing, in speaking i am better.

Have a nice day

Love  Nele

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Susan W, Pituitary Bio

September 10, 2025

MaryO Adrenal, Diabetes, Golden Oldies, Other Diagnosis, Pituitary, Pituitary Surgery, Treatments , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

A Golden Oldie

After 2.5 yrs of testing, I was diagnosed with Cushing’s (which was un-diagnosed for over 20 yrs).  My Pituitary Tumor was removed on 10/20/11.

My surgeon has recommended Radiation/Gamma Knife treatment which will be discussed at my post srgery checkup 1/10/12.  I also have noduals on both my adrenals.

Other symptoms:  obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, muscle weakness, sleep apnea, fatigue and depression.

Susan submitted a second version of her bio.

My testing -> diagnosis -> surgery journey took 2.5 years.  I have always had a weight problem.  All my Doctors ever asked if I was interested in a liquid diet, liposuction, gastro bypass or go to Weight Watchers, and eat less.  But when I reached 375 lbs I knew something had to be done.  Things were way out of control.  I could no longer handle this by myself, I needed HELP.

I had seen comercials on TV which talked about excess Cortisol leading to excess belly fat .   So, I asked my Primary Care Doctor if she could test my Cortisol level.  She just laughed and said I would have to go to an Endocrinologist (Endo).  She did not even provide a referral.  Through my insurance company I found an Endo.  On 7/3/09,  my first appointment with the Endo, she agreed to test me but felt I just had a fatty liver.

When the test results came back, they showing excess Cortisol.  This started a series of saliva, blood test, 24 hr urine, MRI, and CAT Scan tests.  Then I was referred to another Endo Dr Findling in WI (I live in IL) for another opinion and the IPSS test..  (Dr Findling said I looked like I had Cushings for over 10 yrs.)  This was followed by Ostrascam and PET Scan.  Armed with the diagnosis of Cushing’s Disease we were off to get a surgeon.  The first doctor I seen in IL was a bust.  Then I was referred to Dr Oldfield in VA, who performed my surgery on 10/20/11.

Now in recovery, I still get weak, tired and sleep a lot.  I have been using a walker and cane to get around.  Interesting to see that other Cushings also have problems with mobility, aches and pains.  I hope this gets better.  I have follow-up appointment 12/21/11 and 1/11/12 with the Endo and surgeon.  I am off my High Blood Pressure and 2 of the 3 Diabetes meds.  I have lost 30 lbs in the 7 wks since surgery.   I can;t wait, 1 more wk before I can start swimming again.

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