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March 16, 2016

PATIENT STORY: Seeing Clearly After Pituitary Adenoma Surgery

by Sharmyn McGraw

There is a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain called the pituitary gland. It doesn’t look like much and it could be easy to overlook, but don’t underestimate the power of the pituitary gland. Small, yet mighty, this “master endocrine gland” is part of the...

man holding his head
February 15, 2016

Adapting to a Chronic Condition

by Sharmyn McGraw

by Guest Writer Dr. Patti Johnson It takes Two – You and Your Support Team A chronic condition is one that persists over time without an easily definable beginning, middle and end. After being diagnosed with a chronic condition, such as some types of brain...

woman with her thumb up
January 21, 2016

PATIENT STORY: A Tale of Two Cushing’s Surgeries

by Zara Jethani

Rae lives on a 9000 acre ranch in Northern California, is a wife, a mother of four teenagers and is in remission after the removal of pituitary tumors which caused her to develop Cushing’s Disease. Rae grew up as an Army brat and went to 22 countries before she was 20 years old. She says, “It...

patient with violin in surgery
January 11, 2016

The Evolution of Awake Brain Surgery

by Zara Jethani

Canst thou not minister to a mind diseased, Pluck from the memory a rooted sorrow, Raze out the written troubles of the brain And with some sweet oblivious antidote Cleanse the stuffed bosom of that perilous stuff Which weighs upon the heart? – Shakespeare, Macbeth,...

person near a river with their hands up
December 3, 2015

PATIENT STORY: My Pituitary Surgery was Truly a Team Approach

by Guest Author

Gerald, a retired Neurologist, from Hawaii, developed a recurrent pituitary adenoma in December 2014. His success and experience with the Pacific Brain Tumor Center and Pituitary Disorders Program team have allowed him to go home back to his active lifestyle. *   *   *   *   *...

mother speaking with her teen daughter
November 13, 2015

I Have a Brain Tumor. Now What? Ways to Handle a Diagnosis. (Part 2 of 2)

by Sharmyn McGraw

There are many effective treatment opinions nowadays for brain tumors and brain cancers. Sometimes staying focused on the right treatment plan for you or your loved one may involve a change of treatment plans periodically. It is normal to feel anxiety and experience the signs...

woman and her partner
November 12, 2015

I Have a Brain Tumor. Now What? Ways to Handle a Diagnosis. (Part 1 of 2)

by Sharmyn McGraw

One of the most difficult things to hear at your doctor’s visit is that you or someone you love has a brain tumor and/or brain cancer. It is normal to feel a whole range of emotions – disbelief, denial, shock, depression, sadness, resignation, anger and more....

patient roy telling his story
October 29, 2015

PATIENT STORY: Pacific Brain Tumor Center

by Sharmyn McGraw

To celebrate International Brain Tumor Awareness week (October 25 – 31, 2015) and the success of so many patients, we would like to bring you the story of Roy. A resident of Rosemead, CA, Roy was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor in late 2014 and...

Last updated: May 3rd, 2022