All the best Brett. I also missed this tread and it is good to read about people’s experiences. We do take our life for granted and complain about the smallest things. But that is human nature.
I had a heath scare back in 2006. The sight in one of my eyes started to develop a black spot. Anyway not to blah blah blah, I had a very large pituitary tumour, 3.2 cm in size. The pituitary gland is only small, about the size of a pea, but it is extremely important.
Hormones secreted from the pituitary gland help control the following body processes:
? Growth (Excess of HGH can lead to gigantism and acromegaly.)
? Blood pressure
? Some aspects of pregnancy and childbirth including stimulation of uterine contractions during childbirth
? Breast milk production
? Sex organ functions in both males and females
? Thyroid gland function
? The conversion of food into energy (metabolism)
? Water and osmolarity regulation in the body
? Water balance via the control of reabsorption of water by the kidneys
? Temperature regulation
? Pain relief
It is a protrusion off the bottom of the hypothalamus at the base of the brain, and rests in a small, bony cavity (sella turcica) covered by a dural fold (diaphragma sellae). They removed most of mine through my nose. OK, I don't think my nose is that big. The tumour was able to be sucked out.
Apparently Pituitary Tumours are fairly common; most people do not know they have one. They are normally very slow growing and it is rare that they are cancerous. Amazing hey.
I know we sometimes complain about doctors etc, and I know there are some horror stories, but we do have a brilliant health system and some brilliant doctors, nurses etc. And I am so glad I was in private health. I was still out of pocket, but money means very little when faced with your health. And I must say, my wife was so good. I had some scary times, but she was my rock. You feel so helpless about something you cannot do anything about and have to put all of your faith in others.
I hope you get all sorted Brett. Keep us up to date.
Kevin