40 Days of Thankfulness: Days Twenty-Two through Thirty

I haven't been too great on keeping this list up online but I have been keeping up on my computer so there will be a few catchup posts like this one.

Day 22 (November 5): Jack Canfield's book Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul: 101 Healing Stories About Those Who Have Survived Cancer.  There is a great piece in there called The Best Day of my Life.  I've written about it before on http://cushingshelp.blogspot.com

Day 23 (November 6): Lou Argow.  She's been my counselor for many years, starting with my terrifyingly real dreams of death. Thanks, Lou!

Day 24 (November 7): SusanM on the message boards.  She did something so wonderful for me a few years ago, words can't even describe it.  Fortunately, I have described it before. :)  Read more here!  People on the message boards can check this thread out.  Thanks again, Susan!

Day 25 (November 8): Travel.  I've been fortunate to be able to travel to several interesting places.  Some, like Iceland, we just lucked in to.  We' wanted to go to Ireland but the travel agent couldn't get us in at any time over that summer.  She did get us a deal where, if we flew Iceland Air, they'd give us a free week in a hotel in Iceland before flying us to London.  Duh!  Wonderful trip.

Day 26 (November 9): My dear friend, and sister I never had, Alice.  We've only met twice in person but we talk for several hours about every other day.  We're closer than any of my local friends.  Happy Birthday, Alice!

Day 27 (November 10): TiVo.  I love that I can fast forward through commercials and have all my favorite shows waiting for me when I lie down on the sofa (and fall asleep!)  I probably wouldn't have gotten one of these when we did but our son got us one for Christmas.  He had it all set up and ready to go on Christmas morning.  At that time, I had no idea of its capabilities but now, I don't think I could live without it!

Day 28 (November 11): Veteran's Day.  I am thankful for those who have served and are serving now.  My husband served during the Vietnam-era although he never had to go to Vietnam.

Day 29 (November 12): Crockpot.  Yay!

Day 30 (November 13): Rainbows. I have a special affinity for them.  To me, a rainbow is a sign that things are going to be ok.  Years ago, our little family was in Florida.  I felt guilty about going because my dad was terminally ill with his second bout of colon cancer.  I was worried about him and said a little prayer for him.  I was lying on the beach while DH and our son were in the ocean and I looked up and saw a rainbow.  It was a perfectly clear, sunny afternon.   I even called the people out of the water, in case it was something I wanted to see that didn't really exist.  They saw it, too.

Where in the world did that rainbow come from, if it wasn't a sign?

The New Year

So, the New Year is going.

I haven't kept any resolutions but, then, the ones I "made" were the ones I always do - exercise more, eat less, drink more water, tidy the house more.

I think that those are all kind of hopeless.

I think I'm doing generally better than I was last year at this time.  My counselor thinks I am, at least doing better than I was two years ago.

We both think it's maybe because of my part-time, temporary job.  I'm getting out of the house more, being with people, getting away from talking about Cushing's all the time and working on the computer with websites, news items, blogs and whatnot.

So, I'm working more and napping less but I seem to be getting it mostly done.  I was never great with housework so it's hard to tell if things are worse or not.

I am teaching piano less than ever.  I hate to give it up completely, though, just in case.

Today, Friday, is my day off and I so enjoy this - although I'm catching up on Cushing's work.  All the new bios and accumulated news items through the week.

What will this year bring? 

Will I get more energy somehow? 

Will I decide to work part-time on a more permanent basis?  Could/should I even think of that? 

Will my family stay healthy?  No more strokes, cancer, unknown issues!  Will we travel more like we always say we will?

Tune in as all these questions are answered!

Transsphenoidal Surgery in India

From http://harlandics.com/transsphenoidal-surgery-in-india-global-healthcare-at-low-cost/

India is fast emerging as one of the most sought after global health destinations for transsphenoidal surgery

It has outgrown its mentors in their own feat. Medical tourism is no longer confined to people combining their surgery with quick visits to the Taj Mahal. Low cost treatment is the main appeal that pulls medical tourists to India, but this is no longer the only attraction. It boasts of a very strong medical infrastructure that provides state-of-the-art international standard services to several patients who throng India for an attractive amalgamation of cost-effective and world-class treatment. The costs incurred in medical treatments here, are almost one-tenth of what patients have to spend in most of the western countries. Most of the medical tourists find the infrastructure and technology at par with that in USA, UK and Europe. The good facilities provided in India for transsphenoidal surgery are certainly beneficial and also the skyrocketing medical costs and long waiting lists to get treated by the specialists in the western countries are helping medical tourism industry.

What is transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas

Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors which arise from the pituitary gland itself. They are almost never malignant. Pituitary tumors can be either secretory or non-secretory, referring to whether they overproduce pituitary hormones. Secretory tumors cause disease because of the excess quantities of hormones which they secrete (release) into the bloodstream. The most common type of secretory pituitary tumor is termed a prolactinoma. Excess prolactin in the blood may lead to irregular or absent periods in women, decreased libido and erections in men and infertility or milk production in men or women. However, there are excellent medicines available to treat this disorder, so surgery is rarely needed. Most patients with prolactinomas are treated by endocrinologists, who are medical specialists in gland and hormone disorders.

How is this surgery performed?

Most pituitary tumors can be removed transsphenoidally. The approach is through the sphenoid sinus, one of the facial air spaces behind the nose. Rarely, a craniotomy is required, where the skull is opened to reach the tumor. There are three basic approaches to the sella, which is the bony cavity in the skull base where the pituitary gland is located. Many neurosurgeons now use a direct transnasal approach, where an incision is made in the back wall of the nose and the sphenoid sinus is entered directly. It is also possible to make an incision along the front of the nasal septum, and make a tunnel back to the sphenoid sinus. Finally, it is possible to make an incision under the lip and approach through the upper gum, and enter the nasal cavity and then the sphenoid sinus.

A growing number of uninsured and underinsured Americans are seeking low cost quality medical care and surgery in India. It has the top-notch centers for open heart surgery, pediatric heart surgery, hip and knee replacement, eye surgery, dentistry, bone marrow transplants and cancer therapy and virtually all of India’s clinics are equipped with the latest electronic and medical diagnostic equipment. Medical procedures like transsphenoidal surgery in India cost approximately 20% to 30% compared to the ones in America.

To know more about transsphenoidal surgery in India:

http://www.dheerajbojwani.com

Submit your case details at:

contact@dheerajbojwani.com

Coming soon!