Jennifer’s Story

Site created on May 25, 2019

In 2012 I had an MRI at Mayo Clinic in Arizona to diagnose some dizziness I was experiencing. They discovered, incidentally, that I have a pituitary adenoma, enlargement of the pituitary gland (often called pituitary tumor, though it is benign).  At that time it was 14 mm (normal gland is about 9 mm), and they said it "abuts the optic chiasm" (the Y-shaped junction where the left and right optic nerves join).  It's been monitored regularly since then and keeps growing gradually.  As of May 9, 2019, it was 18 mm and now "displaces the optic chiasm."  They don't want it to grow any more, as it could cause irreversible blindness and eventually seizures.  So I will soon be having surgery to remove it (the gland, that is; the normal and abnormal cells are inseparable, all one mass).  Many unanswered questions at this point, including where the surgery will be done.  I've been working with the doctors in Arizona all along, but if the surgery could be done in Minnesota, I'd have the support of family nearby.  I'm told I'll be seriously incapacitated for 2-3 weeks and on limited activity (no heavy lifting, no stooping, no bending) for up to 3 months.  I've told them I'd like to get it done as soon as it can be scheduled.  Updates to come when I know anything specific.  Thank you for your interest, concern, and prayers.

Newest Update

Two-Year Follow-Up

Journal entry by Jennifer Hope —

Had another MRI in Rochester in June.  They could detect NO DIFFERENCE between this year's and last year's MRIs.  This is the best possible news.  It means it's very likely that they got all the tumor out in 2019 so there's nothing left to grow back.  I must continue with follow-up MRIs in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2029--then they'll let me off the hook.

Patient volume throughout the Clinic this year appeared to be about 60% of that of previous years, and there was a complete absence of Middle Eastern people in robes, who used to comprise 10-15% of the patient total.

Hope YOU are staying well!

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