Member of the 1000 Post Club MelissaTX Posted April 8, 2011 Author Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 LAST CALL! If you want to join the list of folks looking for a cure with multiple surgeries, add your info now. I am putting the finishing touches on the 50 person list, and I'll be posting the link here so you can share with your friends and family, via email or facebook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azul Posted April 8, 2011 Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 Gisella, California. Pituitary surgery #1: October 2009. Pituitary surgery #2: August 2010. (3rd surgery or BLA to come.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club MelissaTX Posted April 8, 2011 Author Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted April 8, 2011 I got you, Gisella! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club MelissaTX Posted April 9, 2011 Author Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 OK. I posted this list on my blog. http://cushingsmoxie.blogspot.com/ dated today, April 8, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club MelissaTX Posted April 9, 2011 Author Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Here is the full list, feel free to copy and paste it. Personalize it. This list is meant for all of us to share. CUSHIE WARRIORS: MEN, WOMEN & CHILDREN WHO BATTLE CUSHING?S NUMEROUS TIMES IN HOPES OF WINNING THE WAR Many of you only know one person with Cushing?s. It is difficult to understand or keep up with ?your person? as s/he seeks treatment. You have probably never known someone with Cushing?s before, right? You do know, however, that ?your person? talks about Cushing?s a lot or is pretty darned passionate about their Cushie friends. We lean on and help others even as we struggle to find our way through complicated testing, surgery (-ies), and hopefully, cures. You see, for us, we know MANY people with Cushing?s through cushings-help.com website. Cushing?s is a house guest who ruins our lives and won?t leave us alone. We Cushies all find it incredibly frustrating to have hit the many walls. We see it every day: patients insulted, dismissed, and defeated. When it happens to us, we are often rendered speechless. When we see our fellow Cushies meet the same poor medical treatment, we become incensed. Ultimately, we know our bodies best, and we are found to be correct. We know when we have a disease as devastating as Cushing?s. For Cushing?s Awareness Day, we compiled this list of Cushing?s patients from all over the world who are fighting Cushing?s and seek treatment and a cure through multiple surgical procedures and even radiation. A glossary of terms is located at the bottom of the list. Every patient wants to be understood, supported, and cared for. We want you to know that we are one of many who suffer from this ?rare? albeit rarely diagnosed disease. Today, the Cushing community stands before you, asking you to recognize us for the struggles we face and for you to be the most supportive and caring friend or family member you can be to ?your person.? (NOTE: This is only a sample collected through a short time on the Cushing?s messages boards. There are many, many more patients like us).<br style=""> <br style=""> Melissa, Texas. Pituitary surgery #1: June 2009. Pituitary surgery # 2: soon in April 2011. Sarah, Oregon. Pituitary surgery #1: Nov 2009. Pituitary surgery #2: March 2010. Pituitary Surgery #3: Sept 2010. BLA: April 2011. Alex B, California Pituitary surgery March 2008 BLA July 2009. Krystine T, Washington 1st failed Pituitary surgery March 1996 2nd failed Pituitary surgery Dec 2002 BLA Dec 2004 3rd failed Pituitary surgery Sept 2009 MEGA ONE DAY Radiation ZAP Aug 2010 Jill, Denver, Colorado left adrenalectomy Nov 2006 right adrenalectomy Feb 2008 Karen, Hinesburg,Vermont 1st Pituitary surgery in Portland OR, January 9,2006. Not successful. 2nd Pituitary surgery in Seattle Washington July 9, 2007. CSF leak July 13, 2007. I'm in remission. Christy, Oklahoma. Pituitary surgery 9-2004 Oklahoma City BLA 11-2004 Oklahoma City Rest Tissue PIT 9-2006 Pittsburgh CSF leak repair with titanium after the last pituitary surgery and it was removed 5-2009. Beth, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Gamma knife December 2006 and again December 2008. Still broken, and if the tumor grows more (it's been stable for a bit now), I'll likely be headed for a 3rd time! Justin K., Kansas Pituitary surgery, May 19, 2008. BLA, May 6, 2009. Jessica K., Kansas. Pituitary surgery, May 16, 2008. BLA, May 6, 2009. Bill K., Kansas. Pituitary surgery, August 14, 2009. BLA, June 2, 2010. Danielle, Massachusetts. Pituitary Surgery #1 Dec 16, 2009. Pituitary Surgery #2 February 11, 2010. BLA Sep 2, 2010 Trisha T, Tampa FL Pituitary surgery 4/07 Currently trying to avoid BLA with various meds. Cindy W, Kentucky. Pituitary Surgery 11-5-07 BLA 03-07-08 CSF Leak repair 10-28-08 Lisa, Illinois. Pituitary Surgery 5-30-08 BLA 11-4-09 Still not cured. Susan G. Pituitary Surgery 7/07 Cleared for 2nd pituitary surgery 10/10. Kimberly, Illinois. Pituitary Surgery 11-2-2009 BLA 2-2-2011. Debra, Virginia Debra v. Gallbladder due to Cushings, 1/2005 root canal due to broken tooth 8/2008 Pituitary surgery 10/2008 BLA 6/2010 Sinus/leak repair 1/2011 Surgeries offered and rejected == repair of foot muscles, lap band surgery; surgery for excess stomach acid Lisa O, Washington State 3/25/2009-pituitary surgery 5/13/2010-BLA April, KY. Unsuccessful pituitary surgery 1/15/10. Testing again. Elizabeth J, KY Pituitary Surgery 7-2-2009 BLA Sept. 15, 2010 Trisha S, Indiana Pituitary surgery 11/13/2008. Not cured - retesting. Lynne R, Oxford, England. Pituitary surgery April 2008 CSF leak repairs: April 2008, May 2008, May 2008 (3 leaks in the space of 5 weeks), with meningitis as a result of the leaks. Issues due to pituitary gland removal: crohns disease, pernicious anaemia, life dependent on multiple medications [hydrocortisone, ddavp, thyroxine, hrt, growth hormone, colestyramine, Vit B12 injections etc, etc. ( oh, and it stole my life- and I'd quite like it back please)] Dara M, Limerick, Ireland. Pituitary surgery 29th June 2009 got MRSA in sinus as a result, had surgery to remove scar tissue. MRSA is not for Christmas, for me it's for life xxx Philip B, New Jersey. Pituitary surgery at MD Anderson October 31, 2007. Testing for Recurrence since Jan. 2011. Replacing Growth hormone and Testosterone Donna, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Pituitary surgery Aug2009. new tumor march 2010 but not told about it until sept2010 when it got to 9mm. had gamma knife nov. 2010. still waiting to be better. tumor has not shrunk yet Michelle, California. Pituitary surgery February 2009. BLA February 2010. Not cured. Testing. 2 tumors showed on MRI. Shauna N, Washougal, WA. Pituitary surgery 8/2/01 BLA 2/5/02. Robin S, Salem, VA Pituitary surgery Dec. 14, 2006 BLA June 16, 2010 Lori, Great Neck, NY Diagnosed 12/1994. Pituitary surgery 3/1995 Pituitary surgery 5/1997 Pituitary surgery 7/1999 Still sick. Possible Cyclical? Nan, New Jersey Pituitary Surgery, October 2010 Dan, Delaware. Pituitary Surgery #1 August 2009. Pituitary Surgery #2 February 2011. Cyndie M, New Jersey Pituitary 1-09-2009 Upcoming BLA 4-28-2011. Kim S., Pennsylvania Surgery #1 Jan 2010 positive for Acromegaly but was trying to find a cure for Cushings. Testing since Oct 2010 for Cushings. Kay, New Jersey 1st & 2nd Pituitary surgery June 2008 - in remission Jenny, Iowa. Pituitary Surgery #1- May 2008. Pituitary Surgery #2- April 2009. Currently considering a BLA vs. pituitary surgery #3. Tanya, Buffalo, NY Pituitary surgery #1 - February 2010 currently seeking re-diagnosis Denise P, Dallas,Oregon 2003 Pituitary surgery Vanderbilt 2004 canceled pituitary removal after screws were in (I was in pre-op) Vandy 2004 Stereotactic Radiosurgery- Vanderbilt 2005 Right half of Pit removed - OHSU 2005 BLA - OHSU Cate, Georgia Pituitary surgery #1 and 2 -- August 2009. In remission. Kate, New Jersey Pituitary surgery #1 - Jan. 2007 (Failed) Pituitary surgery #2 - July 2007 (Total Pit Removal; Failed) CSF Leak Surgeries - Oct. 2007 (Failed; still have small leak) Open BLA with 18" incision - Sept. 11, 2008 Gamma Knife Radiosurgery - Oct. 2009 No pit, no adrenals, radiation damage to hypothalamus (cannot regulate body temp.) Pat, California Pituitary Surgery #1: August 2000. Pituitary Surgery #2 December 2007. Currently testing for surgery #3. Christy, New Mexico Pituitary surgery November 2010. Considering BLA Brenda, Alberta, Canada Pituitary surgery May, 2007 BLA May, 2007 Jamie, Washington State Pituitary surgery #1: March 2010. Pituitary surgery #2: April 2010. Melissa, Florida Pituitary surgery #1: March 2009. Pituitary surgery #2: December 2009. BLA to come? Vicki, Buffalo, NY Pituitary surgery #1: October 2009. Pituitary surgery # 2: April 2010. BLA soon to come. Gina, Georgia Pituitary surgery #1: March 2009. Bilateral Adrenalectomy: October 2009. Sherry C, Silverton OR 1st pituitary surgery 3/2006 2nd pit surgery 9/2006 BLA 10/2006. Sick since 1999 but diagnosed in 2005. Tested for 1 year. Knew I had Cushing's since 2004. Still sick....but it's the aftermath of the damage the cortisol did to me and the steroids now. Melyssa, Colorado Pituitary Surgery # 1: August 2009. Currently testing again. Michaela, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Pituitary surgery 1 -- June 2005 Pituitary surgery 2 -- Jan 2008 Pituitary surgery 3 -- July 2008 BLA -- July 2009 Gisella, California Pituitary surgery #1: October 2009. Pituitary surgery #2: August 2010. Pituitary surgery # 3 or BLA to come. From Cushings-Help.com Glossary: Pituitary Adenomas Several therapies are available to treat the ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas of Cushing's disease. The most widely used treatment is surgical removal of the <a href="http://www.cushings-help.com/definitions.htm.htm#tumor">tumor, known as transsphenoidal adenomectomy. Using a special microscope and very fine instruments, the surgeon approaches the pituitary gland through a nostril or an opening made below the upper lip. Because this is an extremely delicate procedure, patients are often referred to centers specializing in this type of surgery. The success, or cure, rate of this procedure is over 80 percent when performed by a surgeon with extensive experience. If surgery fails, or only produces a temporary cure, surgery can be repeated, often with good results. After curative pituitary surgery, the production of ACTH drops two levels below normal. This is a natural, but temporary, drop in ACTH production, and patients are given a synthetic form of cortisol (such as hydrocortisone or prednisone). Most patients can stop this replacement therapy in less than a year. For patients in whom transsphenoidal surgery has failed or who are not suitable candidates for surgery, radiotherapy is another possible treatment. Radiation to the pituitary gland is given over a 6-week period, with improvement occurring in 40 to 50 percent of adults and up to 80 percent of children. It may take several months or years before patients feel better from radiation treatment alone. However, the combination of radiation and the drug mitotane (Lysodren?) can help speed recovery. Mitotane suppresses cortisol production and lowers plasma and urine hormone levels. Treatment with mitotane alone can be successful in 30 to 40 percent of patients. Other drugs used alone or in combination to control the production of excess cortisol are aminoglutethimide, metyrapone, trilostane and ketoconazole. Each has its own side effects that doctors consider when prescribing therapy for individual patients. CSF, Cerebrospinal fluid leak: A more rare, although sometimes expected, result of surgery is drainage from the nose of a clear, watery liquid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is a normal fluid that surrounds the brain. Large pituitary tumors lean up against a membrane that separates this fluid space from the nose, and a CSF leak may occur if this membrane is absent or opened during surgery. The surgeon will generally recognize a CSF leak when it occurs and will "repair" the leak by placing a small amount of abdominal fat over the leak. The patient may awake from surgery and find that it was necessary for the surgeon to place a small tube in the lower back to allow CSF to drain into a bag and help the leak to seal. The tube is placed while the patient is still under anesthesia, and it is not painful while in place. The tube (about 3 millimeters in diameter) will remain in the lower back for 3-5 days and the patient will be kept in the hospital during this period. After the tube is removed (a painless, approximately 15-second procedure), the patient usually will be able to leave the hospital later the same day with the leak sealed. In most cases, CSF leakage does not occur and the patient may expect to go home 2 to 4 days after surgery. BLA, Bilateral Adrenalectomy: Surgical removal of both the adrenal glands. Gamma Knife: This is a more focused radiation treatment than conventional radiation, which reduces the risk of hypopituitarism. It provides a large dose of radiation to a tumor so that when the tumor cells divide, they die. As this method depends on the rate of cell division, symptoms may persist long after the radiation treatment. Radiotherapy, preferably with stereotactic radiation, is effective in controlling tumor growth in the majority of patients who have residual tumor after surgery. This post has been promoted to an article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted April 9, 2011 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Thanks for doing all this work, Melissa! You did a fantastic job and the numbers are really telling. Since you said we could copy it, I'm going to put it on http://www.cushie.info if you don't mind. If anyone on this list has a bio on the website, and you'd give your permission, I'd like to link your bio to your stats on this list. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted April 9, 2011 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Addition from Facebook: Tonya, NW Indiana Pituitary Tumor: Transphenoidal Hypophgsectomy - May, 2000 Gamma Knife - July 2003 then developed two Anyeurisms and had Anyerism Clippings in Nov., 2007. Unfortunately, now th as t I have clips in my head, nobody will run an MRI so now I have no way of monitoring the tumor growth since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted April 9, 2011 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Addition from Twitter: AnellH, Dominican Republic I'm cured 01 Dec 2009 total pituitary removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club MelissaTX Posted April 10, 2011 Author Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted April 10, 2011 Of course, MaryO. Please post this far and wide! It is best if seen by many, I like the idea of linking to our bios. Mine is woefully outdated. I'll try to write a new one soon (add to the loooonnnnggg list). Also, what about linking to blogs? So, if someone sees someone who is near them, they can click through to the blog to read more. That is a lot more work for you, as you will be linking all those, but if we collect the information here, I can update my blog entry to include the hyperlinks, too. Also, I personally know quite a few folks who are not included on that list but had multiple surgeries. What should we do about them? I wonder if people would mind if we just put their first name and their state, then the dates of the surgeries? We can get a lot of that info from the Signature portion of the boards. So, just throwing ideas around. There's always so much to do, huh? Thanks for posting the additions to the list here. I'll do the same if I come across some. Melissa Amy (kalimae I think) My name was not on there. If you would like to use my info, here it is: 1. Pituitary surgery and repair CSF leak 6/26/06 OHSU 2. Pituitary surgery and repair CSF 10/03/06 OHSU 3. BLA 10/13/06 OHSU 4. Repair CSF leak 10/18/06 OHSU 6. Insert lumbar peritoneal shunt 10/18/06 7. remove LP shunt 3/18/07 8. Repair CSF leak 11/22/08 9. Remove left overs from LP shunt 8/15/09 (a 2 foot piece of cathether was left in my body and was causing severe pain on my left side) 10. Hysterectomy due to panhyopituitary issues on 11/02/10 Becky, Illinois: 1st pit surgery May 2003, GK July 2003, residual tumor, been testing since and hopefully have surgery again soon, panhypopit from GK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatnsassy Posted April 10, 2011 Report Share Posted April 10, 2011 Sorry I missed all of this. It was crazy here. We were sick all week, and had a funeral to go to on Cushing's awaremess day. I missed everything. You can add mine to the list though. Grace, Mt. Vernon, OH Pituitary surgery 8/2008 Bilateral Adrenalectomy 5/2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club Koo Posted April 13, 2011 Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted April 13, 2011 Sorry, I like Gracie have been swamped. Can you add me as well? Kristin, Utah Pituitary surgery, University of Utah 4/15/2010 BLA, University of Utah 6/28/2010 Thanks everyone for contributing! It's wonderful to have so many experienced here to help! I couldn't have gotten this far without you all!!!! Hugs, Kristin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member of the 1000 Post Club MelissaTX Posted February 18, 2012 Author Member of the 1000 Post Club Report Share Posted February 18, 2012 I plan to update this list again for release on cushing's awareness on April 8, 2012. If you need to be added to the list, please start your post with the word NEW. If you need to be revise your entries on the list, please start your post with the word REVISE. Please try to write your entry in the same style as the list. Less editing for me. I'd appreciate the help bumping this up in the next six weeks so we can capture as many cushies as necessary. Sorry, I like Gracie have been swamped. Can you add me as well? Kristin, Utah Pituitary surgery, University of Utah 4/15/2010 BLA, University of Utah 6/28/2010 Thanks everyone for contributing! It's wonderful to have so many experienced here to help! I couldn't have gotten this far without you all!!!! Hugs, Kristin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chardell Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Chardell, Utah Pituitary Surgery April 2010 BLA soon to come Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senoralili Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Liliana, Virginia Pituitary Surgery #1, June 2001 Pituitary Surgery #2, May 2007 Cabergoline treatment failed 2010 possible third surgery in 2012 or novel drug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammyd Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Samantha Dodwell Pit surgery July 2008 Now bla or radiation, still have to deside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicci Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Nicole Velardi, Tannersville PA 1st pit surgery: full crainiotomy 8/4/2010. SACRED HEART HOSPITAL 2nd pit surgery: Transphenoidal Sinus Surgery 4/12/2011 THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, FOR NEUROSCIENCE 3rd pit surgery: Lindic Radiosurgery 7/28/2011 THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY HOPSITAL ONCOLOGY/RADIOLOGY Still fighting the good fight. Every day is a struggle. People need to realize, DOCTORS ESPECIALLY, that removal of the tumor does not equal a 'cure'!!! Good luck my fellow cushers! XOXO STAY STRONG!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted February 19, 2012 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 From a non-board member who wanted to be included: Carrie, Idaho 33yrs old. Right Adrenal removal Aug 2010. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabbi Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 (New) Fabiana, New Jersey Pit surgery #1 July 2004 Pit surgery #2 October 2011 BLA January 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Cushie ~MaryO~ Posted February 19, 2012 Chief Cushie Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 And... Jenny, Louisiana 43yrs,, 1st pituitary surgery 2000, 2nd pituitary 2002, gamma knife radation 2003 to the pituitary. sent me to little rock ark in 2004 3rd pit surgery with spinal leakage then a repair to come back to louisiana and spinal leakage again, 3 surgeries to pack a hole and then 4th surgery removal of the whole pit. 2005 both adrenals were removed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jolken Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Olga, Sonora, California Pituitary Surgery #1 @ Stanford Hospital, Palo Alto, CA on May 4, 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larlarmil Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Lauren, Pennsylvania: Pituitary Surgery #1 (January 2011), currently awaiting next treatment for recurrance of Cushing's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelletm Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Michelle N. Panama City, Fl Pituitary Surgery #1 (entire removal of pituitary) January 2006 at U.A.B. Being tested for Surgery #2 or Gamma Knife Radation Cushing's Symptoms back along with elevated 24 hour UFC and ACTH, even though I do not have a Pituitary gland Testing, Testing, Testing AGAIN, MRI last week showed no tumor but have been off replacement Corteff since 2-1-12 without Adrenal Crisis, so, I have a tumor making it somewhere :/...They are still looking.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen1978 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Jennifer- Massachusetts. Pituitary Surgery with CSF Leak & BLA in 2005 At OHSU. Have rest tissue...more testing for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydney2000 Posted February 19, 2012 Report Share Posted February 19, 2012 Barbara, West Islip, NY pit surgery Dec 9 2011.still symptomatic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karenY Posted February 20, 2012 Report Share Posted February 20, 2012 Karen- Mother of 13 yr. old -Pituitary surgery Aug 2011 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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