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Grateful Patient Stories

Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Adenoma (Cushing’s)

On the day of the surgery, everyone I came into contact with inside the hospital had something good to say about Dr. Kelly. It didn’t matter what floor or which department I was in, everyone knew who he was, and that made me feel confident. Dr. Chester Griffiths, my ENT surgeon was also exceptional, and I was grateful to have him on board. Before my surgery I didn’t understand how critical it is to have a skilled ENT surgeon for this type of surgery. Dr. Griffiths always made me laugh, feel hopeful and understand this complex disease in ways I could relate to and explain to others.

-Jessica L., Las Vegas, NV

Jessica L Cushing's Disease

By the time I received my diagnosis for Cushing’s disease, I was relieved and grateful because it gave me hope that I could get better. The most difficult part of the diagnosis was everything I went through to get the diagnosis. It took believing in myself; knowing how sick I was when no one else would. It was pushing through all of the various doctor’s appointments and different diagnostic tests even though I felt awful. It was learning to stand up for myself at a time in my life when I had never felt so devastated.

I watched this disease dismantle my physical health, my personality, my appearance, my relationships, my self-esteem, my brain function, along with anything that I had taken for granted as a given part of my everyday life. These struggles helped me learn my strengths and discover my will to live. My perception of what matters is completely different, and I have learned how important it is to have the right kind of love and support. I learned to love myself and never give up on myself even though I felt anything but lovable. I am much more patient and compassionate towards myself and the people in my life. Ultimately, I feel as though I am a better person for all of this.

I found the Pacific Brain Tumor Center through a referral from an endocrinologist who had attended a conference on Cushing’s syndrome with doctors affiliated with PBTC. I had no idea that I would be in the hands of the very best, nor did I understand JUST how important the skill of the surgeon is, or how much was at stake. Everything I read made the surgery sound straight forward and statistically successful. Nothing mentioned that it is only statistically successful if you work with highly experienced surgeons. After doing my research, I felt confident that Dr. Daniel Kelly was absolutely the right surgeon.

On the day of the surgery, everyone I came into contact with inside the hospital had something good to say about Dr. Kelly. It didn’t matter what floor or which department I was in, everyone knew who he was, and that made me feel confident. Dr. Chester Griffiths, my ENT surgeon was also exceptional, and I was grateful to have him on board. Before my surgery I didn’t understand how critical it is to have a skilled ENT surgeon for this type of surgery. Dr. Griffiths always made me laugh, feel hopeful and understand this complex disease in ways I could relate to and explain to others.

Each person at PBTC treated me with kindness and empathy from day one and always took the time to make sure we discussed everything. I feel as though I have a new chance at having a happy and healthy life, and I could not have done any of this without the Pacific Brain Tumor Center.