The Back Story

The other day (Tuesday, Jan. 12th) I was having lunch at my friend, Jalna's house. Suddenly and quite unexpectedly, I could no longer see her sitting to my right. I'm like, "Wait a minute. What is going on here?" My friend and everything to my right was in complete darkness. Jalna walked me into her living room where we sat for about an hour. Slowly my vision improved and my friend and I went about the business of working in her sewing room for a couple of hours. While I didn't feel great, I felt well enough to drive myself home.

The next day was my birthday and I really didn't feel well enough to see the movie and have dinner as Bill and I had planned. Instead, I decided to made an appointment with my optician. My vision was checked, but nothing was discerned. I was sent on my way with a strong suggestion that I see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. I called my primary care doctor, Dr. Guy Nicolas, instead and was given an appointment for the following morning.

Dr. Nicolas gave me the once over and suggested that I might have a tumor on my pituitary gland that is pressing on my optical nerve. Whoa, wait. What??  Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather. I sure wasn't expecting that. He told me that when there is pressure on the left side of the optical nerve it affects vision on the right. He made several calls and was able to secure an appointment for me with an ophthalmologist about 45 minutes away. Bill and I set out on this unexpected journey not knowing what the outcome would be. After the ophthalmologist examined me he said, "If I were you, I would go directly to the emergency room." Another assault to my already wounded sense of well-being! Still blurry-eyed and feeling a little nauseous, we were off to the emergency room.

After a two hour wait with no cocktails being served, I was met with the usual barrage of blood tests and probings. A CT Scan was performed, an MRI was ordered (which they finally did at 3:00 a.m. on Saturday). I was admitted into the hospital although they had no rooms at the inn. I spent the night in the emergency room in my jeans and sweatshirt - cold and uncomfortable. In case you don't know it, emergency room beds are much shorter than regular beds so my feet hung over the end. I managed to get a few hours sleep. By the next morning everything was confirmed. I do indeed have a tumor on my pituitary gland that is pressing on my optical nerve.

What Is A Pituitary Gland?

The pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland that is located at the base of the brain. If you put your hand on the middle of the top of your head and a finger between your eyebrows, the pituitary glad is located where those two lines would intersect inside your head. While it is small in size, the pituitary gland is the major endocrine gland that controls the growth, development and function of many other glands. Endocrine glands are glands that secrete their products directly into the blood rather than through a duct. As the master gland of the body, it produces many hormones (think growth hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, etc.), that travel throughout the body, directing certain processes or stimulating (causing) other glands to produce other hormones.

Going Forward

Monday, Jan. 18th - Bill and I will be heading to Gainesville, Florida which is about 2 hours north of Orlando.  I will be checking into Shands Hospital. Shands is a world-renowned teaching hospital associated with the University of Florida. I could have opted for a local Orlando hospital, but we needed a vacation so were decided on Shands. Besides, the doctor that I saw at Orlando Regional is based at Shands. I am scheduled for some more tests, will meet with doctors, and will have the distinct pleasure to dine on delicious hospital food. Lucky me!! Bill will be checking into The Lodge - luckily for him it has a full bar. Their website says it offers free drinks, but I don't believe them!!!

Wednesday, Jan. 20th - I am scheduled for surgery. The procedure is fairly simple, I think. They will go up through my nose and suck that tumor right out of me. Sounds gross, I know, but at least they don't have to cut my head open!!! I will have blurry vision for a few days up to about 3 weeks and then I will return to normal, ready to have a cold beer with my friends.

Daily Journal

From Donna today, Monday, January 18, 2016 - our drive to Gainesville was uneventful. That's a good thing I suppose. I have a pain behind my left eye that means that the tumor is pressing on the right side against my optic nerve. My vision is blurry, but thankfully my headache is mild. When I am awake I am fine, but when I lay down to sleep my mind is still fully awake thinking about all kinds of things. I dislike not being able to call each and everyone of you but I simply don't have the energy and my vision is still blurred. Sorry you had to read about this on Facebook. For that I apologize. I have spoken to my siblings and my friend Susan came to visit me at home the other day. I was scheduled to have my hair colored on Wednesday so when you see me expect to see my roots growing out. Sorry Jimmy, I will be in the operating room. More to come later.

Monday Evening - Arrived at the hotel. It is rather plain, but the lobby is beautiful with a huge central fireplace. Happy Hour is indeed free from 6-7 and there is an Ale House across the street. I don't have much of an appetite. Tomorrow is another day.

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