GCA since Feb. 2018 ---mid-transfer from one roller coaster to another. Its tricky.

[Blurry62]

I believe my GCA is under control. I am down to 5 mg of prednisone, and on that aspect, feel good. It has taken a year to settle into 5mg, and I hope others will read this and realize that sometimes it just takes a long time to get the dose down. I appreciate all the support from you folks.

I shared a week or two ago that my new challenge is, according to CAT and PET scans, a 1.1cm tumor on my adrenal gland--that does NOT fit the characteristics of a benign tumor. I wanted to post an update for you as I know we do invest in one-another and have a keen interest in how the health journey plays out. We all like to learn what we can from each other.

I've been told stand alone cancer on the adrenal is very rare. "I am a medical mystery." Since it is a rare condition finding a surgeon is difficult--- there isn't anyone out there with a lot of experience, right? Not many patients to practice on, but that's that's what I'm trying to do currently: FIND ONE

I have a wonderful doctor who is helping me navigate this situation and have an appointment with a Urologist/surgeon on the 10th. He will be my first opinion.

So far there are no cancers anywhere else--per this hospital; that they have found. Liver-good, spleen-good, breasts- fine, lungs-fine, and today is the colonoscopy.

Some of you will remember that I went on a road trip with my daughter and grandchildren at the end of June and brought COVID home as a souvenir. It was going to the ER with COVID that facilitated the tumor finding. COVID was a blessing in disguise.

I haven't found any doctor that believes years of prednisone causes adrenal tumors--benign or cancerous. I can't help but wonder though. Could COVID have caused it? We don't know that either, however the nurse at Urology told me they've seen a sharp increase in adrenal tumors in the last few months. Interesting huh?

I appreciate prayers, good thoughts, whatever you wish to send my way. I will check back in.

Thank you for being here.

Blurry62

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I’ll send a virtual hugs and good wishes.

Not sure Pred is to blame, and no doubt it will take time and money to know if covid has a hand in cancer - but that’s for someone rise to find out.

Glad to hear you have good medical support - and please know you have our best wishes.

[Blurry62 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you much

[Marijo1951]

I'm so sorry to learn of your condition. At least as a silver lining to catching Covid, you learned about it sooner than you might have done otherwise.

I was treated in April for sudden haemorraghing from a couple of benign tumours on my left kidney very close to the adrenal gland, which caused excruciating pain. I wondered if it had anything to do with nearly 5 years of steroid treatment or the methotrexate that I was prescribed soon afterwards, but I've seen nothing that indicates this might be the case. As far as I know, I've escaped Covid up to now.

I hope the surgeon that you see on the 10th turns out to be "the one" and soon puts you on the road to recovery.

[Blurry62 in reply to Marijo1951]

Yaaaa its interesting the dots we patients try to connect isn't it...But it is our bodies and we live them while experiencing upheaval from illness and medications. Down the road much more will have been learned about covid and its affects on our bodies. Hindsight and all that.

[Sharitone]

Thank you for sharing that. As you say, we do invest in one another. Very interesting about the adrenal tumours and Covid. All prayers and good thoughts to you!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I somehow doubt the Covid was to blame - if this was the first time you had had it? I don't think a tumour would have seeded and grown in days which it sounds as if would be the case. Sometimes tumours can start and then remain dormant for a long time until something wakes them up - while they can then grow very quickly I'd doubt a couple of days would be enough. But who knows.

Hugs - and all the best

[Blurry62 in reply to PMRpro]

5-6 weeks?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blurry62]

Possible but who knows. My husband's teratoma was doubling in size every 10 days but they are a bit special - good news for chemo though.

[Blurry62 in reply to PMRpro]

Wow! That is fast! What do you mean by " good news for chemo though."

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blurry62]

Chemo works best on rapidly dividing cells. That's why it does for hair and gut linings and so on that are dividing frequently

"Cancer cells go through this process faster than normal cells, so chemotherapy has more of an effect on these fast-growing cells. Because chemotherapy travels through the whole body, it can also damage healthy cells as they go through their normal cell cycle."

[SheffieldJane]

Sending love, and prayers that you to find the perfect surgeon and have the perfect outcome. ❤️🌺

[Blurry62 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[Hunter134]

I will pray that it all works out for you.Its scary I know.Ive been waiting two months to to see an urologist for something in my bladder.They found a growth in my uterus and still waiting for an appt.I worry everyday it will be something that will worsen over time.Hence the worry has put me in a relapse once again.

[Blurry62 in reply to Hunter134]

The waiting is ridiculously hard. Prayers and good thoughts for you as well.

[Hunter134 in reply to Blurry62]

Good luck tomorrow ❤️Iam thinking of you!!

[Nextoneplease]

Sending you very best wishes Blurry for a helpful appointment on 10th and a speedy and positive outcome. Hugs xx

[Blurry62 in reply to Nextoneplease]

Thank you ...I'll come back to this post and let everyone know how it goes....

[Blurry62]

HelloAs promised, I'm here to give a health update. I had a right adrenalectomy six days ago. I'm still waiting for pathology to say what the mass is. Currently, sore and slow.

They put me on 100 my IV hydrocortisone while in the hospital for two and half days--until discharge. Then 10 mg prednisone for three, 7 for three and drop to five again .

I'm wondering if a stress dose should go longer

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blurry62]

I suggest you post it as a new thread - not many will see this addition to an old thread.

Glad to hear it went reasonably well. Get better soon! I think the short duration of the extra pred is OK - 5mg is a reasonable replacement dose anyway. But do ask them if you don't feel well.