Approximately two years ago, Carl began experiencing vision problems, headaches, weight gain and mood changes – none, which we could explain. We tried changing the diets of our entire family, removing sugar and implementing organic meals. Carl continued gaining weight. His moods grew intolerable. After much persuasion, he went to the doctor to find out what might be wrong. Six days after my thirty-second birthday, I was in our bathroom when Carl called and said, “Don’t freak out. The doctor called…I have a brain tumor.”
Prolactinoma, the name of Carl’s brain tumor, is a benign pituitary adenoma that affects the normal functions of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is the core for the function of the entire body. Carl bravely fought the brain tumor with medicine.
One year after Carl’s endocrinologist diagnosed him with Prolactinoma, he developed new and unfamiliar symptoms. His team of doctors took blood tests, learning he had the bad pituitary adenoma known as Acromegaly, which is a chronic metabolic disorder (a hormone-producing tumor). Acromegaly causes the forehead, nose, tongue, lips, jaw, hands and feet, kidney, liver, colon and heart to enlarge. People with Acromegaly develop polyps in the colon or colon cancer, a compressed spine and go blind.
Carl has been through one unsuccessful operation to remove the tumor. A new MRI and CT scan show the tumor is closer to Carl’s carotid artery and behind the bone surrounding the pituitary gland. Carl is now awaiting a second operation where the doctors will have to use two new tools to not only try to remove the tumor, but break the bone behind the pituitary gland to get to the tumor.
WHEN: Saturday, November 21, 2009
WHERE: Carmel American Legion Post 155, 852 West Main Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032
TIME: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM (or longer)
NOTE: We cannot ask for a cover, so we are asking for "cover charge" donations at the door