Brandon has been drinking and wetting excessively for years. His pituitary has always appeared normal in his yearly scans, and when he's had a check-up, we've been asked if he gets up during the night to drink water. We've always answered no to this question. Recently, I decided to ask Brandon if he gets up at night to drink. His answer? "Yes, I drink out of the sink in the yellow bathroom a few times at night." I called oncology and reported this news. They wanted to see us the following day for repeat scans. We got up bright and early today to head to Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Brandon had x-rays and an MRI. Chris went with him as I'm expecting and not allowed in the MRI wing of the hospital. Sophia and I strolled around (as it's also RSV season and children under the age of 12 that are not patients aren't allowed in hospital this time of year).
Chris called as soon as the scans were complete and Sophia and I met them at the oncology clinic. Here's the information we received:
Dr. Wood and Dr. Miller, a new radiologist, viewed the scans. Dr. Miller noticed that the stalk of the pituitary is shaped normally, cylindrical. However, he noticed that the posterior portion of Brandon's pituitary is concave. It should be spherical. He pulled Brandon's scans from the past and noticed that this was also the case in his 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 scans. His pituitary was shaped normally in 2006. We were always told in the past that his pituitary was normal. A new set of eyes found something different today. Apparently, LCH typically attacks the pituitary stalk or the anterior portion of the pituitary, so the posterior was overlooked. The anterior portion produces thyroid hormone and cortisol for the adrenal glands. The posterior portion produces the hormone that prevents Diabetes Insipidus (DI) and growth. Brandon's posterior part of the pituitary appears deficient in both areas. The scans showed no active LCH or progressive disease. They also show from 2007 to present that the pituitary has remained the same concave shape. This shows that it is not improving or worsening, and is permanent damage. We have been referred to Dr. Wilson, pediatric endocrinologist, for further testing and to see what our options are. Blood tests were taken today to start the process.
Brandon had x-rays and an MRI. Chris went with him as I'm expecting and not allowed in the MRI wing of the hospital. Sophia and I strolled around (as it's also RSV season and children under the age of 12 that are not patients aren't allowed in hospital this time of year).
Chris called as soon as the scans were complete and Sophia and I met them at the oncology clinic. Here's the information we received:
Dr. Wood and Dr. Miller, a new radiologist, viewed the scans. Dr. Miller noticed that the stalk of the pituitary is shaped normally, cylindrical. However, he noticed that the posterior portion of Brandon's pituitary is concave. It should be spherical. He pulled Brandon's scans from the past and noticed that this was also the case in his 2010, 2009, 2008, and 2007 scans. His pituitary was shaped normally in 2006. We were always told in the past that his pituitary was normal. A new set of eyes found something different today. Apparently, LCH typically attacks the pituitary stalk or the anterior portion of the pituitary, so the posterior was overlooked. The anterior portion produces thyroid hormone and cortisol for the adrenal glands. The posterior portion produces the hormone that prevents Diabetes Insipidus (DI) and growth. Brandon's posterior part of the pituitary appears deficient in both areas. The scans showed no active LCH or progressive disease. They also show from 2007 to present that the pituitary has remained the same concave shape. This shows that it is not improving or worsening, and is permanent damage. We have been referred to Dr. Wilson, pediatric endocrinologist, for further testing and to see what our options are. Blood tests were taken today to start the process.
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