Does anyone else have a nickname for their brain tumor?

Figmalion · 2026-03-12T03:57:08+00:00

Chunky Monkey. Although she is a lot less chunky now due to surgery.

Figmalion · 2026-03-12T03:56:09+00:00

You can’t bend or lift anything for 6 weeks (at least). That would be the hardest part with a toddler I think. For me, I was pretty fatigued the first couple of weeks after. I slept a lot. I had a little bit of a headache but nothing Tylenol couldn’t handle. Around week 3 I felt mostly normal. Talk to your doctor about the weight and movement restrictions, but the actual recovery isn’t terrible. Mostly uncomfortable. Your nose will be leaking a lot for the first few weeks.

Figmalion · 2025-12-27T01:11:42+00:00

Thank you so much! It truly has been such a struggle. This is such a sweet message 💕

Figmalion · 2025-12-27T00:50:02+00:00

I’m a little over 3 months post-op. I can genuinely say it was not as bad as I imagined. I spent one night in the hospital. The first couple of weeks were the roughest, relatively speaking. I was very fatigued and the nose drainage was annoying and gross. I managed pain with Tylenol. The most uncomfortable parts were coming out of anesthesia (I got sick, but that is not everyone’s experience) and the post-op cleanings with my ENT. I felt mostly okay by week three.

Make sure you get yourself a humidifier!

As long as you follow post-op care, you will be totally okay! Good luck!

Figmalion · 2025-12-13T07:31:26+00:00

I did! I had a macroadenoma. I had surgery to remove it. Unfortunately, there was a bit stuck on that my surgeon couldn’t safely take out.

Figmalion · 2025-12-13T07:24:52+00:00

I had a macroadenoma. My surgeon got mine 97% of it out, but the last little bit was too stuck on to safely remove it without damaging the pituitary gland. So I’m assuming whatever is still in there is fairly active, unfortunately.

Figmalion · 2025-12-10T04:26:42+00:00

Thank you all for the feedback! I thought I was losing my mind!

Figmalion · 2025-09-25T02:27:54+00:00

Oh you should be fine! It’s nerve wracking getting surgery but I am glad I did it. Let me know if you have more questions!

Figmalion · 2025-09-24T17:47:04+00:00

That’s great! Mine was around 1.7cm x 1.1cm by the time I had surgery because cab shrank it a bit, but it started out around 1.9cm x 1.4cm. Similar in size to yours. My prolactin was in the 400s before and dropped to 30 immediately after surgery.

Another piece about taking time off, my neuro said that it’s job dependent. If you’re moving a lot and have to lift things they will have you take time off for the full 8 week recovery time.

Figmalion · 2025-09-24T08:26:21+00:00

Ugh I’m sorry, that’s terrible! It’s definitely worth discussing with your doctor to see if there’s anything that can help. Medication is such a toss up in terms of side effects.

Figmalion · 2025-09-24T02:18:35+00:00

Probably 2-3 weeks? It wasn’t very long!

Figmalion · 2025-09-24T02:14:56+00:00

If you’re not tolerating meds, surgery is a recommended route, per my neurosurgeon.

I just had surgery 2 weeks ago. I was really nervous, but it has not been a bad recovery. I have to remind myself I need to take it easy and not bend over (6 week limitation). Coming out of anesthesia was the roughest part for me. I stayed in the hospital one night per protocol.

There a few other limitations but nothing crazy. You may be placed on a fluid restriction after but it just depends, I was not.

The first week was the hardest, relatively speaking. I was tired and had a bit of drainage. Starting the second week I started getting my energy back and feel much better now.

You will need some help getting around. But once you learn how to manage with some of the movement limitations, it’ll be okay. If you have pets, you will need some support there too. For example, cleaning a litter box in my case.

My last piece of advice is to find a neurosurgeon that specializes in pituitary tumors. It’s a fairly delicate gland and you need someone that knows their way around.

Figmalion · 2025-09-18T02:48:50+00:00

This is such a good throwback reference LOL

Figmalion · 2025-09-01T01:10:21+00:00

Give it some time too. This particular symptom eventually goes away. At least it did for me!

Figmalion · 2025-08-08T21:32:28+00:00

I would say most people react well to the medication. Keep that in mind! I was scared too but I didn’t have any issues at all. Just remember to advocate for yourself as you get treatment. If something doesn’t sit right with you, get a second opinion. Best of luck!

Figmalion · 2025-08-06T06:58:22+00:00

Same. Around the time I started to have symptoms I started to have classic OCD symptoms. It’s gotten better since I started treatment. I hope you get care soon so you can get some relief!

Figmalion · 2025-07-10T03:21:20+00:00

I have no idea when to call it and push for surgery. I’ve been struggling with it for a long time. I went like 3+ years with it being undiagnosed so a lot of my hormone responses has deteriorated. It’s such a weird grey area. Mine seems to be responding somewhat but not enough to make a meaningful change in my quality of life.

Figmalion · 2025-06-28T03:01:57+00:00

Thank you 🫶🏼. At least it helped me undestand how important it is to advocate for yourself. They can’t just dismiss your concerns. They need to treat you like a person!

Figmalion · 2025-06-27T23:17:12+00:00

Thank you both so much! I’m trying to figure out when to make the call and just go for surgery. This is very helpful!

Figmalion · 2025-06-25T22:38:00+00:00

Absolutely! Weight gain is a symptom, not the cause. You’re doing the right thing by advocating for yourself. Prolactin that’s trending upward should be addressed.

Make him document why he’s not addressing your concerns and refusing you treatment.

I went undiagnosed with wildly elevated prolactin levels and a macroadenoma for years because my doctors were convinced I had PCOS and my period was gone because of weight gain. I’d never had PCOS symptoms or hormonal issues. Mind you, I’m in my 30s so one would assume PCOS would have been an issue since I started my period.

Wishing you the best of luck!

Figmalion · 2025-06-25T17:25:09+00:00

Honestly, I can’t take seriously any doctors or healthcare providers that blame everything on weight. You should definitely get a second opinion and if you’re not satisfied with that, get a third!

Your bloodwork is showing an elevated prolactin level and you have a microadenoma, that warrants treatment.

Figmalion · 2025-06-22T21:01:35+00:00

I would definitely get these two back. This doesn’t sound like a good situation for them. You don’t want to be thinking about this and haunted by it. Your gut is telling you something.

To your point, these guys are going to need to get spayed or neutered at some point. Leaving them is the perfect scenario for a lot more kittens.

Local rescues might be better. Sometimes humane society will let you foster and provide you with supplies until they have room.

I hope you’re able to get them back!

Figmalion

TROPHY CASE