I had brain surgery, what's your excuse? My Review

I Had Brain Surgery, What's Your Excuse? by Suzy Becker
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I found the earlier parts of the book somewhat irksome and it took me a little while to identify with the author, who I initially viewed as a bit melodramatic. However, it is likely that each of us experience health concerns in our own unique ways, and I am one who prefers to remain positive instead of thinking that I’m going to drop down dead at any instant, despite the severity of a disorder.

Another irritation was her lack of knowledge of pituitary disease, which resulted in her flippant rejection of pituitary tumors as being “real tumors” (page 67), simply because some of them can now be removed through the nose due to their location via improved technologies. Within the same calendar year, I underwent a transsphenoidal resection for a pituitary tumor AND a craniotomy for another separate lesion in my temporal lobe. Although neither operation is without risk, I admit that the latter surgery was more challenging in terms of both hospital recovery and surgical risk. Nevertheless, my pituitary disease has proved to be far more problematic and debilitating than the TL lesion, which merely necessitates anti-seizure medication at the present time. I understand that Becker was trying to affiliate with someone who has a tumor “with some odds of being malignant” but her dismissive attitude can be viewed as offensive to those with pituitary tumors. Another point to note is that all tumors have the potential to grow and to cause damage in the brain, and malignancy isn’t the only fact to consider. The location and type of tumor is also important due to the fact that different parts of the brain are used for higher cognitive functioning. Also, some pituitary tumors can grow as large as a plum before a diagnosis has been made, and some may secrete too much or too little of a critical hormone, which can cause a myriad of physical and psychological problems or even death (e.g. cortisol).

That being said, as a whole, the book is very readable and the author deserves credit for portraying such a distressing personal journey with a great deal of frankness and entertainment value. I also appreciate the fact that Becker included a few useful tidbits throughout the narrative, such as information about a clinical paper (page 242) regarding mild brain damage. It is also good to know that by the end of the book she is recovering well and is able to resume her career and many of her other life passions.

I’m not sure if I would recommend the book to anyone I know in particular, but I will certainly find a place on my bookshelf on which to keep it, if not only to remind me of the hilarious title!


View all my reviews

Smoking & Health: Just the Facts!

 "Sometimes I just sit in front of a mirror and watch myself inhaling that poison gas. If I was in a concentration camp and someone tried to make me do that, I'd want to kill them."

http://smokeforwhat.com/no-smoking-quotes.php

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for one's health. The intention of this post is not to get on my podium and rant about the contentious issues that have long been smoldering between smokers and non-smokers, and I apologize in advance for any unintentional conflict that may ensue. Instead, I merely aim to present some basic facts about smoking in order to help those wishing to make informed decisions about protecting their health from unsafe exposure.

Is smoking really as dangerous as they say?

A preliminary study in 1950 by epidemiologists Richard Doll and Austin Bradford Hill showed a strong and real association between smoking and lung cancer. The study also indicates that the more one smokes, the higher the risk of developing carcinoma of the lung. Further, the act of smoking appears to cause the same amount of harm whether the smoke is being inhaled or not!

Above the age of 45, the risk of developing [lung cancer] increases in simple proportion with the amount smoked, and that it may be approximately 50 times as great among those who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day as among non-smokers. ~ Doll & Hill, 1950, p747

In 1951, the British doctors study began, which charted the smoking habits and health conditions of about 40,000 physicians over a period of about 50 years. The first report appeared in 1954, which confirmed an increase in mortality with the amount smoked, with a significantly increased likelihood of lung cancer death amongst those who smoked 25 or more cigarettes a day. The report also proved that there was an increased risk of death from coronary thrombosis as the amount of cigarettes smoked increased.

The results of many decades’ follow-up were published in a final paper in 2004, which confirmed that the hazards of long term smoking had previously been significantly underestimated. About a half of the people who continue to smoke may ultimately die from their addiction. Typically, cigarette smokers shorten their lives by about 10 years. The risks continue to be high with low tar cigarettes.

On average, cigarette smokers die about 10 years younger than non-smokers The risk of being killed by tobacco is doubled with persistent smoking

Other cancers that are linked to smoking are mouth, larynx, oesophagus, kidney, pancreas, uterus and bladder. Studies also suggest that smoking causes heart disease as well as numerous other diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that in 2025 to 2030 there will be 7 million tobacco deaths. Half are likely to die in middle age, between 35 and 69 years old.

Secondhand smoke

Secondhand smoke (also known as passive smoking) can also have serious consequences on the health of children and adults who do not smoke, as it contains many of the same chemicals as the smoke that is breathed in by smokers. Secondhand smoke involves the inhalation of the smoke released either directly from a burning cigarette or from the smoke exhaled by the smoker. It holds a poisonous cocktail of at least 4,000 chemicals (e.g., arsenic used in pesticides, formaldehyde used to embalm dead bodies, and hydrogen cyanide used in chemical weapons), many of which cause a variety of major medical disorders. In fact, because it is created through different temperatures and conditions, the smoke that comes off a cigarette between puffs may even contain more toxins than directly inhaled smoke.

Experts agree that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief contact can increase the risk of heart attack and lung cancer. According the the U.S. Surgeon General, a nonsmoker’s risk of getting heart disease is likely to be increased by 25 to 30 percent by secondhand smoke, and the risk of developing lung cancer in nonsmokers is increased by 20 to 30 percent. Endeavoring to smoke in a separate area from family or ventilating the home are not successful methods at removing these dangers. The only way to protect yourself and your loved ones to is keep your environment smoke-free.

Exposure to secondhand smoke at home or at work increases a nonsmoker’s risk of developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent and lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent ~ U.S. Surgeon General’s Report 2006

No if’s, ands, or butts - It’s never too late to burn that habit!

Good news! The follow-up 2004 Britsh doctors study showed that there is decreased risk of dying prematurely when cigarette smoking is stopped…  And the most benefit can be gained by stopping sooner rather than later. If you need help in quitting, you may wish to visit your general physician for appropriate advice and resources or you can refer to some of the links below.

Cessation at age 60, 50, 40, or 30 years gained, respectively, about 3, 6, 9, or 10 years of life expectancy. ~ Doll et. al., 2004, p1

Sources/links

Doll, R., and Hill, A. 1950. Smoking and carcinoma of the lung: Preliminary report. BMJ 1950;739-748:4682

Doll, R., and Hill, A. 1954. The mortality of doctors in relation to their smoking habits: A preliminary report. BMJ 1954, 1451-1455

Doll, R., Peto, R., Boreham, J., Sutherland, I. 2004. Mortality in relation to Smoking: 50 years’ observation on male British doctors. BMJ 2004;328:1519

The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke: A Report of the Surgeon General. 2006.

Horrible Facts About Smoking

How to Quit: Government Resources

Quit For Life Program

QuitSmoking.com

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Report

PNA Webinar: Prolactinoma: A Patient's Perspective

The Pituitary Network Association (PNA) is offering a free webinar relating to prolactinomas. Further information about the event and registration details are as follows:

Title: Prolactinoma: A Patient's Perspective Date: Thursday, June 23, 2011 Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PDT Details Many pituitary patients have had the frustrating, demoralizing experience of suffering physical and mental health issues - that are then dismissed or improperly treated by doctors who are supposed to show compassion and find the answers. Christina O'Neil-Bourne's story is unique, but it is also similar to that of many patients worldwide. Ms. Bourne is not only talented and beautiful (a former Miss Nevada), she will also present a captivating story we all can learn from! The Webinar Presenter Christina O'Neil-Bourne, M.M.E. Music Teacher PNA Board Member Pituitary Patient Christina O'Neil-Bourne holds both a bachelor's and master's degree in Music Education. She teaches general music and band for the Carson City School District. Christina was named Carson City School District Teacher of the Year 2009, and Carson City Rotary Teacher of the Year 2010. She was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award by President George W. Bush in 2003 for her efforts. Christina is a former Miss Nevada and competed in the Miss America Pageant. She volunteers her time for organizations aimed at bettering the lives of others through education. In 2005, Christina was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor. For nearly two years, she struggled to find a doctor to help her. She found the PNA website and within months was able to get the medical attention she so desperately needed. Thanks to the PNA, she is now able to live an active and healthy life. Presentation Description The webinar Prolactinoma: A Patient’s Perspective, will be hosted by Christina O'Neil-Bourne, M.M.E. She will share the story of her struggle with a prolactinoma, and also provide information on how she has coped with the effects of pituitary disease on her physical appearance, mental health, and relationships.  •  Introduction: Christina O'Neil-Bourne  •  Personal story  •  Discussion of physical, mental, and relationship changes  •  Discussion of how she coped with these changes  •  Life today  •  Advice for others For those who have not registered, please reserve your free webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/510361454 Space is limited. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. System Requirements: PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer

Sources/links

Pituitary Network Association (PNA)

http://www.pituitary.org/intro.aspx