My prolactinoma has grown :-/

[phesina]

To dearest Kirsten, my cats and I are sending you much love and prayers and good wishes and healing energies. I am so sorry you have been going through so much pain and difficulties.

And I want to echo what everyone else has been saying in response to your feelings of loneliness. You are a vital and fascinating member of this group of wonderful people who live all around the world and whom I feel very privileged to know. When you feel too isolated, remind yourself that there are (for example) one person and seven cats in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, who think the world of you! We always look forward to your latest photographic explorations and reports on the adventures of your beloved Lily and Luna (who love you back just as much).

And once again quoting Eileen (and thank you, Eileen), who said it SO well for me too:

Kirsten, Please know you are, and have been, very much in my thoughts. You are a highly respected and valued member of our PT family so you're not completely alone. You're in a pretty scary place right now and we all understand that. Many of us here do believe in prayer and you're always in mine. We're here for you, just let us know what we can do. As always, I'm only a pm away. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way!!!

Thinking of you and sending you {{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}} and ~~~~~~~PURRS~~~~~~~ and ,

Pat, Sydney, Poppy, Elmer, Bob, Sparkler, Lavinia, and Princess Poppaea Sabine Eugenia

[Roxyluvsme13]

The pituitary gland controls the release of gonadotropins, which are things such a luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. Basically what controls a female's cycle and hormones and all of that good stuff.

I don't see why it'd be too much of an issue not to have one. I mean yeah, it's gonna screw up your hormones some or they may not exist?, but I'm sure with some supplements and things like that it wouldn't be too big of a deal.

Wishing you the best Kirsten and sending positive thoughts your way.

Oh, and normal is no fun! It's better to be extraordinary and original!

[Karen]

The pituitary gland controls the release of gonadotropins, which are things such a luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone. Basically what controls a female's cycle and hormones and all of that good stuff.

I don't see why it'd be too much of an issue not to have one. I mean yeah, it's gonna screw up your hormones some or they may not exist?, but I'm sure with some supplements and things like that it wouldn't be too big of a deal.

My friend that I mentioned earlier in the thread had to stop taking certain hormones when she wanted to get pregnant, but that was about it, and she ended up having three lovely children just when they were ready - she said "It's like built in 'birth control' - I cannot even get pregnant without proper planning and preparation, which, now that I think of it, should be a rule for lots of people!"

[Roxyluvsme13]

My friend that I mentioned earlier in the thread had to stop taking certain hormones when she wanted to get pregnant, but that was about it, and she ended up having three lovely children just when they were ready - she said "It's like built in 'birth control' - I cannot even get pregnant without proper planning and preparation, which, now that I think of it, should be a rule for lots of people!"

I'm trying to think of what hormone your friend would have had to stop taking but I'm not recalling the information right now, haha.

But the pituitary gland controls the release of LH and FSH like I said, LH is important for an LH surge that induces ovulation, if I remember correctly. And then FSH stimulates the follicle, which makes estrogen go up, if the follicle grows and the egg ovulates and gets fertilized then progesterone goes up, which is important in maintaining pregnancy. Then, if the individual isn't pregnant the corpus luteum is destroyed by something called prostaglandin F2Alpha.

I hope I remembered all that right, I'm in Repro class this semester, haha, so I better know this information by now, but that was recalling off the top of my head so don't take my word that it's 100% correct!

[momcat]

How are you doing, Kirsten? I'm sure that Luna and Lily are taking good care of you since they both are such extraordinary kitty nurses and they love you a lot. Please give them some lovies from me?

And sending [[[[[HUGS]]]]] for you too

[carole]

Dearest Kirsten every time i read your posts, my heart just aches for you, i hate that you feel so alone, i know we all say you have us here and you do indeed, but i know that you need more,it is so hard to see such a beautiful person inside and out, feel so lonely and from what i read unloved, remember you are a great person, who deserves happiness in life, never question that ever.

I know of many people with problems, not all physical that indeed are married and have full lives, you too can attain that Kirsten, and as hard as it is to think positive and believe me i understand, how easy it is to think negative ,you must tell yourself you deserve every bit of happiness the same as the next person.

I so wish i lived closer, i would love to spend time with you, get to know you and help you through this.

You have been given a tough lot to deal with , more than you should have, and i don't know what else i can say to you, but that you are very special to many of us here, and we are always here for you.

Take care sweet Kirsten, and remember your furbabies love you to bits, one thing about animals they always love you no matter what, they don't judge like us humans and ask so little of us in return.

I am thinking of you and am here anytime you need to chat...feel free always to pm me anytime, HUGS.

[Kirsten]

Oh my! For some reason, I have missed your latest replies to this, I'm so sorry!
Thank you so much for your support, and your kind words!

Tomorrow is my appointment with the endocrinologist, and I'm a little nervous re. her decision how to treat the tumor. Will keep you informed.

The past weeks have been rough. Those who are on Facebook may have read my status updates about my hot water tank and gas pipes being replaced. Those days - and the cleaning afterwards - were so exhausting and it took my more than a week to recover from that. It's so embarrassing that I cannot deal any better with stressful situations like that. Hate that! The past two or three days were slightly better, I was painting the new gas pipes on Monday; yesterday, I spent the afternoon and evening with a friend in Kassel, and today, I'm not as exhausted as I expected to be after that trip. Now I'm going to drive to Goettingen tomorrow for that doctor's appointment. Hope I won't get some bad news there!