The world has a way of constantly reminding you to keep your issues in perspective. The tragedy at VA Tech this week has been so all-encompassing that I really haven’t felt much like chronicling any of the small developments in this saga of the pitumor (ooh – just came up with that. Good term.) And honestly, I’ve got tons to rant about regarding that event and the media and….

But this is not a “Dave’s Random Thoughts” blog. I’m sticking with observations on the whole pitumor process, and that’s it. There are plenty of other venues for that – online forums, water coolers, anywhere involving stiff drinks, etc. I’ll be my own blog police and keep Pituitary Dave on the subject at hand.

Last Tuesday I had my first visit with Dr. Castelucci (the endocrinologist) since the hospital. It was essentially no more than a confirmation chat. He refreshed his memory with my situation, and that although we did have an issue with liquid output (like how sanitize that?) in the hospital right after surgery, it balanced out and I was discharged without any medicines prescribed to regulate anything. And since I had nothing to report as far as anything changing for the worse, I remain un-medicated for anything endocrine-system related. He was the first doctor I’ve ever met who, when he determined that he needed blood work done, actually just did it himself right then and there instead of passing it off onto a nurse or a lab halfway across town. Bonus points for him. And I didn’t even get woozy or light headed. Bonus points for me. And look Ma, no heroin addict bruise on my arm. Major bonus points for him.

I did remember to ask him about the mystery gut bruise, and his only theory was a repeat, that maybe they leaned on me during surgery. No new light shed on it from an endocrinologist’s perspective. And by the way, although it’s mostly gone, it is actually still noticeable. The mystery goes on.

He also reminded me that there is that small chance that it could start to grow again maybe in about 15 years, and that they’d have to go in again to get it. Not likely, but possible. (Dr. Wilson said a 15% chance.) So I need to remind myself that this means there is an 85% chance that Raoul is gone forever and that it is not like some bad horror movie where the creature totally regenerates because the hand was still alive, or where the Terminator completely rebuilds himself just because of that one remaining drop of liquid metal. I think the last thing I want is to go through this whole thing again.

Ever.

I’m done, thanks.

Before that, I went in for the “after” picture of my brain. It was the MRI to confirm that all has been successfully removed. Apparently I need to schedule a time with Dr. Wilson to go in and chat about it so he can show me the difference between the before and after pics and maybe where he carved his initials. But so far, no one has called with an alarmed message that I need to have that chat sooner than later, so once again I’m going with the “no news is good news” approach and am assuming that the images were indeed nothing to write home about.

And hey, everyone, Mesha’s aunt (am I right?) went in for a triple bypass this morning, so blast those thoughts, prayers and chakra bursts out towards her and their whole family as they try not to freak out too hard on the sidelines. My Mom had triple bypass last year at 77 years old, and she is healthier and more active today than she has been in years. Whether it’s tumors being removed through your lip, or opening up your chest to make your heart stronger, it just blows me away doctors and surgeons can accomplish.

And while you’re at it, there are plenty of families and friends in Blacksburg, VA in need of those positive energies as well. Even if you don’t know them, it certainly can’t hurt.