Re: Re: Farah's story

[Guest guest]

Thanks Heidi:

I feel so much better knowing that you are doing well and with No medication and the surgery was a success. Pray that you will live a happy life with no more problems with the bp or ha.

I will be going for my AVS on Monday. Dr. Duh mentioned that its a routine in Mayo Clinic that they dont operate on any patients without doing the AVS even if they are sure which gland is causing it and he supports that.

As for Atenalol, Dr. Grim, I'll try to get the info as soon as I can and post it.(I have to email my endo and hopefully she will respond soon)

FarahHeidi Rankin <hj.rankin5@...> wrote:

I guess I'm the most recent post-surgery patient. Right adrenalectomy on Jan 18th. So far, so good. BP is running 120/70 with NO meds. I am waiting the results of my most recent blood test for A/R. I suggested the vein sampling many times but my doctors said they don't recommend it as it is too invasive. It's a decision only you can make. Spiro worked well for me but I kept having K crisis which would land me in the hospital. After 10 years and finally being diagnosed I decided to have my quality of life improved. I will be followed by my endo for life.

My tumour report scared me a bit: Dr. Grim should I worry??

Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or necrosis. These latter features are not present in this lesion.

It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict biological behaviour .

My anxiety level is next to nil now and I'm SO thankful. My body is happy.

[Guest guest]

This sounds good, Heidi! The endo surgery chief at UCSF, Dr Duh said 6

weeks is the charm, statistically speaking.

Ir is so great to hear someone's body is happy.

Dave

On Mar 31, 2005, at 2:30 PM, Heidi Rankin wrote:

> I guess I'm the most recent post-surgery patient. Right adrenalectomy

> on Jan 18th. So far, so good. BP is running 120/70 with NO meds. I am

> waiting the results of my most recent blood test for A/R.  I suggested

> the vein sampling many times but my doctors said they don't recommend

> it as it is too invasive.  It's a decision only you can make. Spiro

> worked well for me but I kept having K crisis which would land me in

> the hospital. After 10 years and finally being diagnosed I decided to

> have my quality of life improved. I will be followed by my endo for

> life.

>  

>  

>  

> My tumour report scared me a bit:  Dr. Grim  should I worry??

> Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

> There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour

> cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy

> without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or

> necrosis.  These latter features are not present in this lesion.  

> It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of

> adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict

> biological behaviour .

>  

> My anxiety level is next to nil now and I'm SO thankful. My body is

> happy. 

>  

>  

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Heidi:

I am really interested in knowing some details of your adrenalectomy. How did you feel after the surgery and how long it took for you to recover, etc.

Thanks,

FarahHeidi Rankin <hj.rankin5@...> wrote:

I guess I'm the most recent post-surgery patient. Right adrenalectomy on Jan 18th. So far, so good. BP is running 120/70 with NO meds. I am waiting the results of my most recent blood test for A/R. I suggested the vein sampling many times but my doctors said they don't recommend it as it is too invasive. It's a decision only you can make. Spiro worked well for me but I kept having K crisis which would land me in the hospital. After 10 years and finally being diagnosed I decided to have my quality of life improved. I will be followed by my endo for life.

My tumour report scared me a bit: Dr. Grim should I worry??

Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or necrosis. These latter features are not present in this lesion.

It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict biological behaviour .

My anxiety level is next to nil now and I'm SO thankful. My body is happy.

[Guest guest]

Heidi:

I am really interested in knowing some details of your adrenalectomy. How did you feel after the surgery and how long it took for you to recover, etc.

Thanks,

FarahHeidi Rankin <hj.rankin5@...> wrote:

I guess I'm the most recent post-surgery patient. Right adrenalectomy on Jan 18th. So far, so good. BP is running 120/70 with NO meds. I am waiting the results of my most recent blood test for A/R. I suggested the vein sampling many times but my doctors said they don't recommend it as it is too invasive. It's a decision only you can make. Spiro worked well for me but I kept having K crisis which would land me in the hospital. After 10 years and finally being diagnosed I decided to have my quality of life improved. I will be followed by my endo for life.

My tumour report scared me a bit: Dr. Grim should I worry??

Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or necrosis. These latter features are not present in this lesion.

It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict biological behaviour .

My anxiety level is next to nil now and I'm SO thankful. My body is happy.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/31/05 5:23:00 PM, farahbar@... writes:

I will be going for my AVS on Monday. Dr. Duh mentioned that its a routine in Mayo Clinic that they dont operate on any patients without doing the AVS even if they are sure which gland is causing it and he supports that.

This is what I have been preaching for 20 years-dont operate unless you have the biochemical proof that taking out one side will help.

CE Grim

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/31/05 5:23:00 PM, farahbar@... writes:

Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or necrosis.  These latter features are not present in this lesion.  

It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict biological behaviour .

Sounds pretty good and rather typical. I have only seen one of these that is cancerous in 35 years and it was 7 cm in size. Time will tell. Did your K go up to high normal or high. This is a good sign that the tumor was the cause. Many pathologists are not used to looking at these but I am.

[Guest guest]

Many folks do have a good success story like this and this is why we keep looking for this problem.

I dont recall if you have written Heidi's Story if so send it again with this addendum and if not do one when you have time.

Again operating on the x ray works many times. It is just the ones who have the surgery needlessly that the AV Study should have been done. You dont know that till afterwards.

Congrats. and keep up the good work.

In general the K will be back up by the time you go home.

In a message dated 4/1/05 6:12:30 PM, hj.rankin5@... writes:

I still haven't figured out how to just reply to an individual, sorry.

 

My surgery was 2+ hours by laparoscopy. I have 4 very small incisions on my side/abdomen, starting under my sternum going diagonol. I had no real pain other than the shoulder pain from the gas from the laparoscopy. I had the surgery at 8am on Tuesday and was home Wednesday, 4pm.  I moved slow for 3  days or so but with 3 kids, a husband, 2 cats, a dog, etc... there's no rest for the wicked!  I decided to really take my time and recoup but honestly I was sitting at my desk (in our house) by Monday for a few hours at a time. I saw the surgeon three weeks later and she gave me the go ahead to do whatever I wanted. Even cross country skiing, which of course I didn't do.  I waited until 6 weeks.

 

I was taking 10mg of Norvasc and 25mg of spiro for a year prior to the surgery. I was FINALLY diagnosed in aug 2004 and after more tests had the surgery in Jan. I was skeptical, still am with only one adrenal but with my BP blowing at 220/120 I was fearful of stroking out and opted for the surgery.  I'm glad I did and I'm glad you are able to have the vein study. I wish I could have and hope for sure that my problem is fixed. I take each day at a time. It may return, it may not.Good luck next week.

 

BTW Dr. Grim, my Potassium was 4.1/4.3  7 weeks after the surgery.

 

Heidi

 

 

Re: Re: Farah's story

Heidi:

I am really interested in knowing some details of your adrenalectomy. How did you feel after the surgery and how long it took for you to recover, etc.

Thanks,

Farah

Heidi Rankin <hj.rankin5@...> wrote:

I guess I'm the most recent post-surgery patient. Right adrenalectomy on Jan 18th. So far, so good. BP is running 120/70 with NO meds. I am waiting the results of my most recent blood test for A/R.  I suggested the vein sampling many times but my doctors said they don't recommend it as it is too invasive.  It's a decision only you can make. Spiro worked well for me but I kept having K crisis which would land me in the hospital. After 10 years and finally being diagnosed I decided to have my quality of life improved. I will be followed by my endo for life.

 

 

 

My tumour report scared me a bit:  Dr. Grim  should I worry??

Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or necrosis.  These latter features are not present in this lesion.  

It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict biological behaviour .

 

My anxiety level is next to nil now and I'm SO thankful. My body is happy. 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I still haven't figured out how to just reply to an individual, sorry.

My surgery was 2+ hours by laparoscopy. I have 4 very small incisions on my side/abdomen, starting under my sternum going diagonol. I had no real pain other than the shoulder pain from the gas from the laparoscopy. I had the surgery at 8am on Tuesday and was home Wednesday, 4pm. I moved slow for 3 days or so but with 3 kids, a husband, 2 cats, a dog, etc... there's no rest for the wicked! I decided to really take my time and recoup but honestly I was sitting at my desk (in our house) by Monday for a few hours at a time. I saw the surgeon three weeks later and she gave me the go ahead to do whatever I wanted. Even cross country skiing, which of course I didn't do. I waited until 6 weeks.

I was taking 10mg of Norvasc and 25mg of spiro for a year prior to the surgery. I was FINALLY diagnosed in aug 2004 and after more tests had the surgery in Jan. I was skeptical, still am with only one adrenal but with my BP blowing at 220/120 I was fearful of stroking out and opted for the surgery. I'm glad I did and I'm glad you are able to have the vein study. I wish I could have and hope for sure that my problem is fixed. I take each day at a time. It may return, it may not.Good luck next week.

BTW Dr. Grim, my Potassium was 4.1/4.3 7 weeks after the surgery.

Heidi

Re: Re: Farah's story

Heidi:

I am really interested in knowing some details of your adrenalectomy. How did you feel after the surgery and how long it took for you to recover, etc.

Thanks,

FarahHeidi Rankin <hj.rankin5@...> wrote:

I guess I'm the most recent post-surgery patient. Right adrenalectomy on Jan 18th. So far, so good. BP is running 120/70 with NO meds. I am waiting the results of my most recent blood test for A/R. I suggested the vein sampling many times but my doctors said they don't recommend it as it is too invasive. It's a decision only you can make. Spiro worked well for me but I kept having K crisis which would land me in the hospital. After 10 years and finally being diagnosed I decided to have my quality of life improved. I will be followed by my endo for life.

My tumour report scared me a bit: Dr. Grim should I worry??

Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or necrosis. These latter features are not present in this lesion.

It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict biological behaviour .

My anxiety level is next to nil now and I'm SO thankful. My body is happy.

[Guest guest]

Heidi:

Thank you soooo much for sharing your story. I am so glad things are working out and hope they will continue to work and you will have a normal aldos. for the rest of your life. I feel so much more comfortable to go ahead and not wait.

I will update you guys after my AVS, and hope it goes well.

Thanks again and best wishes,

Farah

Heidi Rankin <hj.rankin5@...> wrote:

I still haven't figured out how to just reply to an individual, sorry.

My surgery was 2+ hours by laparoscopy. I have 4 very small incisions on my side/abdomen, starting under my sternum going diagonol. I had no real pain other than the shoulder pain from the gas from the laparoscopy. I had the surgery at 8am on Tuesday and was home Wednesday, 4pm. I moved slow for 3 days or so but with 3 kids, a husband, 2 cats, a dog, etc... there's no rest for the wicked! I decided to really take my time and recoup but honestly I was sitting at my desk (in our house) by Monday for a few hours at a time. I saw the surgeon three weeks later and she gave me the go ahead to do whatever I wanted. Even cross country skiing, which of course I didn't do. I waited until 6 weeks.

I was taking 10mg of Norvasc and 25mg of spiro for a year prior to the surgery. I was FINALLY diagnosed in aug 2004 and after more tests had the surgery in Jan. I was skeptical, still am with only one adrenal but with my BP blowing at 220/120 I was fearful of stroking out and opted for the surgery. I'm glad I did and I'm glad you are able to have the vein study. I wish I could have and hope for sure that my problem is fixed. I take each day at a time. It may return, it may not.Good luck next week.

BTW Dr. Grim, my Potassium was 4.1/4.3 7 weeks after the surgery.

Heidi

Re: Re: Farah's story

Heidi:

I am really interested in knowing some details of your adrenalectomy. How did you feel after the surgery and how long it took for you to recover, etc.

Thanks,

FarahHeidi Rankin <hj.rankin5@...> wrote:

I guess I'm the most recent post-surgery patient. Right adrenalectomy on Jan 18th. So far, so good. BP is running 120/70 with NO meds. I am waiting the results of my most recent blood test for A/R. I suggested the vein sampling many times but my doctors said they don't recommend it as it is too invasive. It's a decision only you can make. Spiro worked well for me but I kept having K crisis which would land me in the hospital. After 10 years and finally being diagnosed I decided to have my quality of life improved. I will be followed by my endo for life.

My tumour report scared me a bit: Dr. Grim should I worry??

Consistent with adrenal cortical adenoma-

There is impressive nuclear pleomorphism and enlagement in many tumour cells, however this does not enable the diagnosis of malignancy without other features such as vascular invasion, mitotic figures or necrosis. These latter features are not present in this lesion.

It should be mentioned however that with a significant number of adrenal cortical tumors it is extremely difficult to predict biological behaviour .

My anxiety level is next to nil now and I'm SO thankful. My body is happy.