0 Registered (),
211
Guests and
1
Spider online. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
3239 Members
63 Forums
16332 Topics
210704 Posts
Max Online: 409 @ 01/16/20 10:33 PM
|
|
|
#10842 - 03/18/06 07:15 PM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 09/20/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
|
Searcher, based on our PM's, I'd say go ahead and email her and ask her how old she is and if she has anyone there with her. If she's not terribly young and someone is there with her, then tell her as gently as possible and strongy recmmend that she talk to whoever is there with her. I will pray for you right now... ((HUGS))
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10843 - 03/18/06 07:27 PM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 10/11/05
Posts: 645
Loc: boise
|
Thank you, Bluebird, I think I'll do that - guess I prob. knew that, but needed a little extra support! So scarey for her.........when I know she's already been thru hell....Thanks for the prayers...
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10844 - 03/18/06 07:56 PM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 09/20/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
|
I'm happy to pray for this situation and we all need someone to "second the motion" sometimes. Let us know how it turns out. You're so sweet to take this on, and also so qualified.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10845 - 03/18/06 08:18 PM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 10/11/05
Posts: 645
Loc: boise
|
I did email her to ask if she has anyone nearby whom she trusts, and I hope I did it in a way that won't add to her fear....It sure has added to mine! Thanks again, Bluebird. O geez, this is EXACTLY why I avoided this site in the first place, you just wait, she'll have no one and then I'll feel responsible to "adopt" her and........first thing you know, she'll tell me she's having siezures and then ....perish the thought!
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10846 - 03/20/06 11:25 AM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 11/07/05
Posts: 1096
Loc: West Chester ,PA
|
Wow Searcher...this is really scary....I think the woman should call her Doctor and ask he/she what it means..actually the GP should have called her as soon as he/she got the neuro-surgeon's report...don't you agree? What a shame for her...she sounds very naive? I hope you aren't getting too upset about this....you're really sweet trying to help her....but she needs to consult with her physician. Just my thoughts on it
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10847 - 03/20/06 09:17 PM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 10/11/05
Posts: 645
Loc: boise
|
Avalon,
You are such a nice person...I did talk to her via email and we ended up spending the whole evening going back and forth. Yes, I do think she's naive...She does not have anyone besides her fiance. She's 40 years old....and has had multiple surgeries for this tumor (not unusual, 60% have recurrences. The reason Nichole did not, her neurosurgeon and I agreed there would only be one surgery. Get it all now, or.....she dies on the table.) She needs someone to talk to...and today I noticed some others had replied as well...so I think she's covered about as well as we can provide right now. We promised to stay in touch. She sent me pictures of herself and her fiance. Just the cutest and most adorable couple - ruddy cheeks and all - they're from the UK.....Thanks for your concern, I'll keep you updated....
Search
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10848 - 03/20/06 09:55 PM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 09/20/05
Posts: 2560
Loc: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
|
You did good, Searcher! She's in God's hands but you have played a part in how she will live or die. You are a good soul.
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10849 - 03/20/06 11:46 PM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 10/11/05
Posts: 645
Loc: boise
|
Thank you Blue, but one wonders............
Maybe I can take this time to raise some awareness of this awful and life altering tumor. I'll try to be short, but ya'll know how I am. Firstly, this tumor has been consistent in it's prevalence over the years --- about 97 in all of the US per year. Very low incidence. Because of that, monies are slow to come for research. But much progress has been made in the removal and after effects since Nichole had hers, in 1977. The CAT scan was relatively new then. MRI's didn't come til later. And Nik had a metal staple in her head from the surgery and was never able to take advantage.
Here are just a few of the remaining problems from this surgery that the people face:
1. Many times the tumor causes blindness since it is so near the optic nerve and cuts off blood supply. Nichole was legally blind in one eye, and had no vision in the other.
2. The pituitary (our master gland) is often removed. this leads to: a. no growth hormone. if this happens while young, like Niki, they need growth hormone, given in shots.
b. no antidieuretic hormone. This means they have diabetus insipidus - a condition whereby their pituitary does not instruct their bodies to stop the thirst mechanism nor the release of urine. Think about that. We lived in Chicago at the time, and used say, Nichole would drink Lake Michigan, and then pee it. She would literally kill someone for water - if she had been big enuf. Nowadays, there's some relief for this, but not a cure...It's still an issue for many.
c.No female or male hormone. This means that a child will not develop secondary sex characteristics. No pubic hair, no breasts, no period, no underarm hair... unless provided for by synthetic hormone. Never a replacement for the real thing.
d. No thyroxin. Meaning no thyroid hormone. This has a myriad of meaning. Thyroid controls much of our emotion, much of our temperature control, much of our metabolism. This is a BIG deal. And believe me, no thyroid pill replaces the real thing.
e.Many times the hypothalmus which lies next to the pituitary is compromised also. This is involved in many things, but one is the issue of weight and hunger, and temperature control. Nichole was always freezing. and could never be left in the heat. She had hypothalmic obesity which no one could understand, notwithstanding her local doctors, who I now find, derelict in their understanding of this disease, but also willing to say that they did. I find this apalling. And did so then. They Just couldn't find a way to say, "I just don't know". Even tho the research was there, I KNEW IT, I had done the reading. Why then, didn't they?
f. And then the really biggy, cortisol. This hormone is the one we use for stress. Physical stress and emotional stress. Our bodies continually release cortisol to combat stress. If we are ill, our bodies release cortisol. If we are under stress of any kind, our bodies release cortisol. For Nichole, if she was ill, a cold or flu, (and their bodies immune systems are compromised), we would have to improvise with an injection according to the degree of fever or whatever.... This is most assuredly a task that is overwhelming. to medical staff and to MOMs. Certainly to schools. And most assuredly to local physicians. Nichole had this kind of "failure" at least 4 times.
e. These issues are but a minor explanation of this tumor. It is considered catastophic, and in my estimation, is most assuredly that, and much, much more. The people who have this diagnosis face one of the most difficult in all of humanity, since they don't necessarily die from it readily, but have to live this kind of life for years to come. And so do their caretakers and loved ones. I have often said, there are worse things than death. Altho, at the present time, I wonder.....
Now to add to these dilemmas, Nichole began to have siezures. Serious siezures. Where she would quit breathing and turn blue. Me beating on her chest before i would call 911. For thousands of these, she came back on her own. The last of which, she did not.
I have given you only an inkling of this life with such a tumor removal. Today it is better, but not so much that it's not an issue. These people are still suffering and need our compassion. More than that, they need our help.
Searcher
|
Top
|
|
|
|
#10851 - 03/21/06 02:02 AM
Re: Diabetes-cinnamon
|
Member
Registered: 10/11/05
Posts: 645
Loc: boise
|
Nor would anyone have an idea. And I hope that no other person would ever have to know. But in light of my being a part of this forum, you have all just been part of something that has touched you. Please make an effort to consider this....
Searcher
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|