Pituitary Gland Tumor

[nymphz]

Hi, good evening;

I am sorry for my sister. She is suffering from pit gland tumor and had not receive any medication yet. She is 46 years old, single and a teacher who have a great passion and love for children. I don't know how to help her but grateful to have this chance to tell other people how we loved her. We are helpless though due to poverty here in our country and the lack of support from our government thru it's agency who can provide any healthcare assistance. Our family can not afford to send her to hospital. She is beginning to  lose her vision- affected first is her optic nerve I think. We can not even afford for an MRI due to the high cost of such laboratory exam here. Her former employee (Department of Education) did not provide also medical benefits. Worst, the government agency i.e Government Sec. Insurance Services will not release also her retirement benefits in case she will avail early retirement due to disability since length of service do not reach 15 years yet (still in her 12th year of dedicated service). It came out that she can't claim NOTHING! What a pity.

She is now very depressed and emotional. We can not do otherwise and continue to pray to strengthen her and extend her life a little longer as if we're just waiting for a fortuitous event (miracle) to happen. Hadn't my sister do not have such disease, she can go a long way for her cause. Velma (her name) feared also to undergo medical operation because of it's complexity- if operated to remove the Pit gland tumor, it should be thru the nasal area. I don't understand how it will be done but it's the doctors explanation since the pituitary is very deep if operated from the brain or skull. Is it true? I can't imagine! Besides that it's very expensive, he is now getting older.

Can this be possibly treated still? Only thru operation? How about her age? How's the chance of being successful? Length of recovery? Side effects? How much will it cost? Where can I seek help for financial support if ever?

I will be forever grateful to you for any assistance you can extend to us. Our best regards. .. .

/Nympha

[nymphz]

thanks a lot for your time and the medical explanation.Now I understand how the operation will be performed.

I know you have a good heart. Just in case you might come across some philantropic organization in your country, can you please share the story of my sister? GOD has a way so help will reach out to the needy.

A million thanks....

[rumpled]

There are many different types of pituitary tumors. Some secrete hormones, some do not. It sounds like your sisters is large, and since there is no testing or name given to her tumor, it is unknown what type her's is.

I had the pituitary surgery through the nose. While it seems very scary, I traveled 3000 miles for mine, and then got on a plane a week later and flew home.

The pituitary is pretty much directly behind the eyes - they go through the sinuses, break one small bone, and have access to the dura surrounding the brain, and they they are in the sella where the pituitary sits and can get to where they have to get.

I know a lot of people who have had the surgery - of various ages - it does not matter. Chances of recovery all depend on surgical skill (experience is really needed here), the tumor itself - what has it wrapped around etc., Surgical recovery is pretty fast - it only takes a few weeks - but hormonal recovery can take years so that depends on the tumor and all. Side effects are purely dependent on if she needs hormonal replacement afterward and getting that balanced. Cost - well, that varies on the hormone.

I don't know where you can get financial support. But if she gets the surgery, she may be able to work afterward.