(Caution Pics) Cushings Surgery

Deep Breathe! Deep Breathe! In just a couple days I am leaving from California to Texas to go and have my second pituitary surgery. Drat Tumor! This time its a little easier on my mind and my body because I have done this already once. I don't have the anxiety of the unknown this time.

In July 2014 I had my first pituitary surgery. They found two tumors and got all of it out. I was able to go into remission which was fantastic. 10 months later I had another tumor in a different spot on my pituitary.  Its a slow recovery process. I will be in the hospital for 4 days if all goes well. Then I will be able to fly back home on day 7. I am praying that I go into remission again. From all that I have read and learned your second surgery is 50/50 on that.

Some may think that its an easy surgery because you look pretty normal within a week. That's because its a Transsphenoidal Surgery and they go up your nose, through your scull to the pituitary that way. It definitely beats them opening up your head. This doesn't mean it isn't a brain surgery though. The doctors ARE going into your Brain.

Recovery can be very long. If surgery is successful you will feel like CRAP. This is something you actually want. It means your cortisol levels have dropped down to normal levels of normal ppl. With having high Cortisol it is affecting our bodies in so many ways. Not having it all the sudden is like a body going through drug withdrawal. Except this "drug" is actually a hormone that our bodies have been creating too much of.

My tumor is only 2mm by 3mm by 3mm. Small right? So why would it be a problem right? Well it reeks havoc like nobodies business on my body. I have lost hair, grown hair in weird places, gained weight, lost strength, have horrible insomnia, bruising, mood swings and the list goes on. All from this little tiny tumor. Most MRI don't even show them that's why you have to get a T3 Mri.

Well in less than a week I will be having this surgery. Like I said I have done it before. I still have some pictures from my first surgery so I will show you. I probably wont be blogging for a week or so as I wont want to be starring at a screen as much. I would super appreciate any good thoughts or prayers for remission and a fast recovery. I want to beat this....once and for all!

going into surgery

just out of surgery

3 days later husband being supportive

Swaps and Pituitary Surgery

What do you do when you have 7 days till Pituitary Brain Surgery? Well you do a SWAP of course!

Some of the items I sent to UK

In one week I will be going to Houston Texas to MD Anderson to have my surgery. I had this same surgery 14 months ago also. I have Cushing's which is a Rare Disease. Cushing's makes you gain weight, have a buffalo hump, moon face, striae, insomnia, mood swings, muscle loss, bruising etc. Sounds fun right? NOT! I have a pituitary tumor that creates too much Cortisol in my body. I had two tumors over a year ago. Had Surgery and went into remission for 10 months roughly before I ended up with another tumor. I am going to fly from California to Texas (halfway across the USA) because is an amazing hospital and the Surgeon does these surgeries all the time.

Pictures of my last Pituitary Surgery

I have had a headache now for 10 days straight. Last night was the worst but its starting to go down a bit finally. Some people might get depressed waiting for the surgery to cause them remission again. I have decided to have a little bit of fun instead. Let me tell you about it.

A Cushie friend of mine Carly and I have been talking a lot during the night when I cant sleep. She is going through the same things that I am. She told me about this International Swap Group and how fun it was. I told her I would love to join. The jest of it is you swap things from your country to their country. Things they are looking for or are interested in. The first swap is 50 dollars (USA) and then mailing the package. You get one swap partner. Send out the package and they send you one from their country as well.

Lesley chose me. She is from the UK. We started talking, took this detailed quiz of our likes and dislikes and asked each other what would be fun to swap. We both went to our local grocery stores and took pictures of things and sent them to each other to see what would look good to us. Along the way we talk and learn about each other. I have found out that she is an avid lover of animals like I am. We actually have a lot in common and talk a lot. We even send each other sneak peaks of what is in the boxes. Its interesting to see what someone would want from the USA. Bath and Body works is something that is really wanted. Along with MAC and Ulta or Sephora make up. You chose a day you are going to send and then both send at same time. Once that swap is complete and both people have their boxes then you can chose to swap with someone else.

Some of the goodies I am getting I am so excited!

I like the fact that they have a detailed quiz and lot of rules to the group. This helps with getting things you like and not things you dislike. For instance I cannot stand the smell or taste of watermelon. It would be disappointing to get things that are all watermelon. I like that I can get postcards for my kids and also learn about the country through that person. Its so fun!

It is good timing too. When I get back from surgery I will have a box to open. How great will that be! I will be in bed for quite some time so the snacks will be helpful and just the fun of having mail. I really love to get old fashioned mail. Makes me feel really special.

I am actually doing another swap with a friend that's off the group just to have a little more fun. I think my favorite part of it is trying to surprise them with goodies. I love shopping for others! Its so fun! Since we live in a rural place though I think my post office had a learning lesson on how to ship fast to another country lol.

This is my new hobby that I am going to just love. I think its great for my family to try new things also from different countries. I cant wait to swap with France or Australia. Pineapple lumps look really good and I want to try some :)

If you have the money or the time to do a swap I would totally suggest it. Its good clean fun and you get to meet some fantastic people! Hey....If you ever want to do a swap with me...I would love that too!

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