My Surgery

My Surgery

THE DIAGNOSIS
This whole life changing event started the summer before my 16th birthday, the summer of 1993. I enjoyed my summer, took drivers ed so that I could get my learners permit to drive, hung out with my friends, watched movies. All that stuff someone my age did. The only thing that was bothering me was that I was so short, and I hadn't gone into puberty like most of the other kids my age. Kids at school would always tease me saying, "The Elementary is across the street!", and other numbers comments. I was 4ft. 7in. and had not grown since I was in the Second Grade.

My mother knew that it bothered me, but hey, neither of my parents are just giants! But she had been reading in some magazines about something called the growth hormone. She thought that it might just be what I was needing to grow and to go into puberty. She mainly did it to satisfy me, to just reassure me that I was just normal, a "Late Bloomer" as she called it.

After talking to many doctors and running numerous test they determined that my body was not making any growth hormone, and that if I had grown normally I would have been about 6ft. 6in. approximately. And with the growth hormone they could get me to about 6ft..

I was so excited, I described it as being on Cloud 20, had way surpassed Cloud 9! I was finally going to get to grow and go into puberty! I was going to show all those kids who teased me just who and what I was!

The doctor said that before they could start the HGH (Human Growth Hormone) they had to have me take a MRI. "No sweat!" I thought! They never mentioned what could possible be wrong, especially never a tumor.

A few days later my MRI was scheduled, it was a breeze! That night my Endocrinologist called and informed my mother that she, my dad, and myself needed to come in in the morning to discuss the results. My parents owning their own business could not both go. So mom took me, she would be the one giving me the shots of the Growth Hormone, that's what we thought we were there to discuss!

The next morning mom picked me up from school early, we were so excited. On Cloud 20!

When we walked into the doctors office, we noticed that all the nurses seemed to be upset. It was a small office. Mom leaned over to me and kind of laughed and said, "Someone must have heard some bad news!" and continued to laugh.

A few minutes later we were taken into a room where the doctor would soon meet with us.

A few more minutes passed and the doctor finally walked in and said, "Well, I've got some good news, and some bad news! What would you like to hear first?" Mom being the person she is likes to get the bad out of the way and rejoice with the good. The doctor then starts to recount all of the test that been done over the last 6 months, and even went back to the growth records from previous doctors and showed how I stopped growing in the Second Grade. He just reviewed it with us for sever al minutes. Then he finally says, "Well you've got a brain tumor!" This was the last thing I thought could ever happen! I mean, I had heard of stuff like this happening on Soap Operas, or to friends of friends friend, but never to me or someone I loved. The word "Tumor" just rang loudly through my head. For a five letter word, it sure is powerful! Because when I thought of "Tumor" I then thought of Cancer, and then eventually Death. Never the possibility of life after.

I've never been more scared in my life. Even now, when I look back at that day I get chills thought my whole body.

Well the next day my Endocrinologist had scheduled us an appointment with a local Neurologist. We went to see him. He was so eager and excited to do the surgery.

Growing up my father has always questioned people and things. It used to bother me and even embarass me at times. But after all of this, not now!

Dad stopped the doctor in his tracks and asked what the prognosis was? The doctor stuttered around and finally said something to the effect, "well Mr. Foster, if your son survives the surgery, he will be blind, unable to control his thirst and hunger, will be institutionalized for the remained of his life with an uncontrollable temper. My mother then replies, "Well Doctor, Duggan's never been mad a day in his life!" The doctor then responded, "Well Mrs. Foster, this is after the surgery!"

Dad then asked the doctor, "Doc., If you were me. And I were you, having all the capabilities that you have. Knowing your/mine capabilities, would you feel comfortable me performing the surgery on your son or daughter?" The Doctor again stuttered around and finally said, "Well NO, I would seek out a professional!"

At that point we walked out of his office. For the next two weeks my parents dedicated their lives to saving mine! They traveled all across the nation taking scans to doctors, pretending to be doctors at times to get into and see doctors. They also mailed my MRI scans to doctors across the nation. All the doctors pointed to two different doctors. We chose my neurologist in San Francisco because he had a world renown Endocrinologist. Two weeks later we arrive in San Fran. and prepare for the surgery.

THE SURGERY
On November 5, 1993 I underwent a craniotomy to remove a craniopharyngioma (one of several different types of Pituitary Tumors). My surgery, which was performed in San Francisco, California by Dr. Michael Edwards, lasted approximately 12 hours. We chose California because of the more experienced doctors.

During the surgery I lost most of my vision (which has thankfully mostly returned), my whole pituitary, and my ability to control my body temperature. Living in Oklahoma the summers can get real hot, therefore my body temperature could rise up to around 103-104 degrees, so after I graduated from high school (5-6-96) we (mom, dad, and my sister) moved to Portland, Oregon and have been here for nearly 4 years.

LIFE AFTER\ THE RECOVERY
Because of my vision loss, I am no longer able to drive my car. (Although, living in Portland, you don't really need a car.) Loosing most of my vision and my ability to control my body temperature used to depress me, but I have come to realization that there are more important things in life to get depressed about. I am just thankful that I am alive, and have what I have.

When life deals you a lemon, don't make Lemonade with it, make Lemon Chiffon Pie!!

UPDATES

UPDATE May 18, 2001 Not much new. I'm still feeling good, working hard and spending a lot of time with my friends. Well something new, I'm an Uncle now! I am so excited. In June I'm going to be moving. About 50 yards from where I'm at now! I'm moving into a two bedroom apartment. It will be a nice upgrade!

UPDATE November 14, 2000 it was time again for another CAT Scan, and once again everything was OK, the doctors were very pleased. They said I can wait 9-12 months before another Scan. We are going to try something new, the Open MRI.

UPDATE August 10, 2000 Well it has been a little over a year since I moved out on my own! I am really enjoying all the freedom, although it does get a litle boaring at time! Currently I am working on getting a job with the Government, but in the mean time to pay my bills I am working for my parents.

UPDATE On June 13, 1999 I moved into my first apartment. I am really excited, It's nice to be on my own!

UPDATE On March 9, 1999 I went and had my 1 year checkup from the doctor. They ran a CAT Scan, the scan only lasted about 30 minutes, but after waiting hours for the result we got out news! I was given a clean bill of health! I can't believe how far I've come in the last year! It is so exciting!

UPDATE On March 5, 1998 I had another surgery. My tumor had come back! The attack plan for the surgery was: They first took several MRI Scans, from this they reconstructed my brain on a computer. They then proceeded to drill a hole down the side of my head, and from the reconstructed image of my brain they slowly proceeded down navigating themselves to the tumor. When they got to the tumor they planed to stick a tiny pump into it and inject a liquid for of Chemo. Although a slight problem occurred, the surgeon went too far and punctured through the other end of the tumor. This may sound bad, but I have just found out that because he did that, it has caused the tumor to collapse on itself. My doctors are watching it closely, but not too much to worry about!

Created on 4-1-96
Most recent revision, 05/18/01

Please direct any questions,
comments, or suggestions,
to Duggan Foster