Skin and Infertility
Wow. This weekend was food for my soul.
TWENTY years of friendship. College roomies. Sorority sisters.
This weekend we celebrated Ashley. (who hates any attention so of course we made her wear matching obnoxious outfits--don't worry she loves us).
I tell this story with her consent in hopes of helping and encouraging others...especially women and physicians and other healthcare providers.
Ashley had trouble getting pregnant, much like many I know. She had a few other issues like skin that would easily break out, she'd work out regularly and not see the results, had issues with her blood sugar, and was diagnosed with a rather common issue called PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Boxes checked. This made sense.
However, things still weren't right.
Despite the most pressing and difficult issue of infertility, she didn't feel well. Her thyroid was off, so doctors started supplementing that. She was maxed out on Metformin. She ached all the time, the way someone would who had chronic arthritis and headaches. Her face seemed full and subtly changed shape.
She went on like this for YEARS and was a good compliant patient. Thank God during another fertility workup, an astute OBGyn during an ultrasound took note that her vaginal lining was strangely ATROPHIC, for PCOS this is usually opposite.
This lead to an endocrinology consult. It was here where they found her serum cortisol levels were through the roof. They did a Cushing's syndrome/disease workup, which includes imaging of her brain, and that's when they found the brain tumor...a BENIGN one called a pituitary adenoma. (responsible for ALL the hormonal derangements)
A little over a year ago, a great neurosurgeon here in Charleston resected it.
And here we are now in Charleston with a baby girl on the way! Baby Collins. Your mama is a warrior. Steadfast and sharp and beautiful and grounded.🎀
This story is overly simplified. Beyond simplified.
Moms don't give up. Doctors start from scratch when your patients aren't getting better. Warriors who come out on the otherside, share your stories. Connection helps and inspires hope.