Good news and bad news

[HoustonFarrier]

Lets start with the good news.....

2 weeks ago I found out I had a (suspected) pituitary adenoma (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pituitary_adenoma). Well, it has been confirmed. But, it is small (less than 1 cm) and will be treated with drugs rather than surgery. I saw an Endrocrinologist yesterday, and she took more blood tests to set a baseline for ALL my hormome levels, then Monday I start the drug therapy. I'm hopefull this answers allot of the problems I have been having physically lately.
.
.
.
.
.

Bad news...

We lost Big Sam to colic last Friday. He had a 180degree torsion in his colon. We got him to A&M late Friday, and he collapsed coming out of the trailer. He was in allot of pain, and we decided to take him out of the pain. He has been somewhat of a chronic colicer, having coliced 5 times in the last year...not big ones...but he definatly had some issues in there. He's not in pain anymore. He was a hell of a horse and we'll sure miss him. He was allot of fun to be around, a real show stopper, and a THRILL to drive. When the new Animal Cops Houston shows start up in the fall, look for him in 2 episodes...in the "Daisy" episode, he is actually down in the pasture, having a mild colic, and then he is featured in one with the mini.....

This ended up being the last time I drove him......

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/43667/2207374890053248425S425x425Q85.jpg

Steve

[WashingtonBay]

Oh no. I'm so sorry! Sounds like 'bad news' and 'worse news' to me. I don't like medical diagnoses of any kind, even the kind they can treat. Good luck to you, I'm sorry you have to deal with it.


Oh...

Rest in Peace Big Sam.... or thunder around on the lawn, your choice now.

[livaward]

again Steve I am so sorry about Sam....he was one beautiful guy.....and also glad to hear that you don't have to have surgery....

[Lakota's Pet]

Steve, I'm so sorry about the loss of Sam. May he rest in peace. I'm not sure if the other is good news or not, but at least it's treatable without the surgery.

[HoustonFarrier]

Oh no. I'm sorry. Sounds like 'bad news' and 'worse news' to me. I don't like medical diagnoses of any kind, even the kind they can treat. I'm sorry..

Well, the surgical option was either up through the nostrils...or....remove the top of the skull, split the 2 brain hemispheres, and go in....so, drugs are GOOD NEWS for me :D

Steve

[natisha]

I'm so sorry to hear about Big Sam. Sounds like you did all you could. How old was he?

About you, sorry to hear about your ' cushings'. The surgery is not so bad but if the meds help that sure is easier. Hoping for a speedy recovery

[HoustonFarrier]

The other good news is , we bred Sams mother for a foal next year, and she was confirmed in foal, so, hopefully, we'll have a new "little Sam" running around next spring! We are getting her foal "sexed" next weekend.

Steve

[Tatesgram]

Ahh Steve, I am so sorry about Big Sam. I don't know what else to say except that I agree with your decision.

I'm glad that you can handle your problem with medication and hopefully you won't have any further problems.

Again, I'm sorry about Sam.

[HoustonFarrier]

About you, sorry to hear about your ' cushings'.

Did you know....the give humans pergolide too !!!! But not for the type of tumor I have.

Steve

[HoustonFarrier]

I have to add as well....I now understand hormonal women much better now :D:D:D

Steve

[JennyandJosey]

So sorry to hear about Sam. He was a beautiful guy. I hope the drug therapy works well for you.

[WashingtonBay]

Well, the surgical option was either up through the nostrils...or....remove the top of the skull, split the 2 brain hemispheres, and go in....so, drugs are GOOD NEWS for me :D

Steve

Good grief... OK, I get why it's good news NOW.

[star197]

Steve, my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Big Sam. What a regal, beautiful animal.

Best wishes and a speedy recovery on your health issue. I'll have to look it up online to see what it involves.

[WP~Paint]

I'm sorry to hear about Big Sam. May he RIP.

Glad to hear your doing ok though and you might have it figured out.

[natisha]

Did you know....the give humans pergolide too !!!! But not for the type of tumor I have.

Steve Yes, it is an anti-Parkinson's drug

[natisha]

I have to add as well....I now understand hormonal women much better now :D:D:D

Steve Uh oh, our secret is out

[Kaitlyn]

Oh good Lord, Steve I'm so so so sorry about Sam! He was too young :( At least the mare is confirmed and one can only hope it'll turn out like him.

[natisha]

Did you know that most cushings disease in horses could be cured if there was access to the pituitary gland?

[gaited07]

Quote:
Originally Posted by WashingtonBay http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/images/styles/beige/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/showthread.php?p=198134#post198134)
Oh no. I'm sorry. Sounds like 'bad news' and 'worse news' to me. I don't like medical diagnoses of any kind, even the kind they can treat. I'm sorry..


Well, the surgical option was either up through the nostrils...or....remove the top of the skull, split the 2 brain hemispheres, and go in....so, drugs are GOOD NEWS for me :D

Steve


I agree with WB on this until I read you response:eek::eek:
Good luck with the drugs Steve and take care of yourself.

So sorry about Sam. Everyone loved him here on earth so I know he's a big hit up in heaven running around playing and eating molasses filled grass.

[zoel_222]

Aw man I'm sorry about your pony. He was a handsome fella.

[IrisGreen]

Ohh, Steve.. I'm so sorry Big Sam had complications but you did what was best for him. I can't imagian how hard it is to lose such a magnificent animal out of your herd. I hope his Mom is having a little boy! You will have to keep us updated on that.

I wanted to say Thank You for sharing your condition with us. I'm sure it was confusing, stressful and very hard on you and your family trying to figure out what was going on with your health. I'm sure you were relieved to finally find out what is going on and that it can be treated with meds. It's hard on all involved to go through the process of doctors, tests, worrying and hoping for the best. I'm happy that you and your doctors were able to find the tumor at an early stage and get it treated. It takes a lot of guts to admit something is wrong and jump through the hoops with the doctors to find out what is the problem. Good thing your a fighter and didn't ignore the symptoms.

Keep us updated on how your doing and congrats on being one of the few men that actually understand what happens when your hormones go haywire and make you feel like your emotions are on an uncontrolled roller coaster!! lol Take care and get well soon, we need more pictures of that healing hole in your pasty white leg! :D

[CircleR]

First off, I'm glad that they will be able to give you medication instead of surgery!
Secondly, I am so sorry about Big Sam. I'm sure you made the right decsion for him, poor boy. He sure was a pretty boy. I hope you get your wish for a "Little Sam" in his soon to be brother!

[dame_wolf]

Good luck on a speedy recovery Steve. I can see where you wouldn't want the surgery!

RIP Big Sam...

[Horseaholic]

Oh no Steve. I'm so sorry :(. I hope that everything goes well with your medical issues and I hope that Sam is running through the grassy fields as we speak.

[JackieB]

I'm so sorry about Sam. I'll look foward to meeting him at the Rainbow Bridge.

Glad that your condition is treatable without surgery.

[alittleoffkey]

I'm glad you get to avoid surgery!

And I'm so sorry that you've lost Sam. Prayers up for you all around. :(

[pandorasmom]

Steve I'm so sorry! I'm glad your health problem may be able to be treated without the surgery, and that it's nothing major. I'm so shocked at Sam though and I wish you the best. Sam was a great horse just from what you talked about him. May he rest in peace.

I can't wait to see what the sex of the baby his mom is carrying is. Please keep us posted!!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[oursarge]

Oh no. I'm so sorry! Sounds like 'bad news' and 'worse news' to me. I don't like medical diagnoses of any kind, even the kind they can treat. Good luck to you, I'm sorry you have to deal with it.


Oh...

Rest in Peace Big Sam.... or thunder around on the lawn, your choice now.
What WB said, I'm so sorry about Sam and hope that you'll be feeling better.

[Gliderider]

So sorry about Sam. Glad to hear you won't need surgery.

[SedonaThunder]

Oh gosh, I am soooo sorry about Sam! Losing any horse is hard but it's hard for me imagine one as big, beautiful and full of life as him going. May you be reunited at the bridge one day.

Great news that your health questions have been answered and they are going to be able to fix you right up without any knives! Best of luck with your treatment and perfect health!

(About the Pergoglide - someone I work with (he's only 48) is on it for his Parkinson's. The scary thing is that they told him that it is the best drug to battle it but they know for a fact it doesn't keep working! They've told him that he'll have from a year to two years of it working well and then the body sort of becomes immune to it and it doesn't work anymore. He thought about putting off using it but decided to go for it and just pray that by the time it stops working they will have discovered something new to combat it.)

[quest]

I'm so sorry about Big Sam, he sure was a gorgeous beast!
I am however glad that the medical problem isn't quite as complicated is it was initially thought and that you may be able to get around surgery. Good luck to you, it sounds like you have had a lot going on this week!

[Gypsy Rose]

I'm so sorry rto hear about Big sam! He was a very special horse, and I'm sure he's going to be greatly missed.

I'm glad to hear, though, that your medical conditon is treatable without surgery, and that you'll be feeling so much better with time.

RIP, Big Sam!

[42many]

RIP Big Sam - what a handsome boy. Sometimes the right thing to do is the hardest thing to do - I'm so glad he's forever out of pain. I had to witness a friend's horse temporarily staying at my place have a severe colic... they thought after the vet came out the first time that he'd be okay, but eventually he relapsed and was put down at the vet's office later that night. The pain he was in hurt me to even watch.

I'm glad that the medications should work for you - a MUCH better option that the surgery, for sure!

[carla]

Wow, Steve! I'm with you.. judging by your options, I'd much rather go with drugs. I hope that this route will work very well for you.

And I am so sorry about Sam. I know you will miss him terribly. How wonderful that you got such a great shot of your last drive together. RIP, Big Sam. :(

[shiver]

What sad news on both accounts. How is your wife taking it? And you for that matter? If your hormones are off you must be a blubbering baby!!! I'm so sorry Steve. But I think you made the best decision you could.

Keep us posted on your treatment. I'll be praying for you.

[Steelhorserider]

Sorry to hear about your medical problems and losing Big Sam. I just lost my horse to a torsion colic last night and it is a difficult decision to make but ending the suffering is the right thing to do. I hope Big Sam was there to meet my Phoenix and show him over the Rainbow Bridge.

[cheval]

Oh no. I am so sorry to hear about Sam. He was a very beautiful horse. My thoughts are with you.:(

I'm hoping the drug therapy works for you.

[Remali]

Oh gosh, so many things all at once for you. Sorry to hear about your Sam, he was mighty handsome.
I hope things go much smoother for you from now on.

[valleyrider]

Steve, I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Sam. We all know how special he was to you and your family. He is no longer in pain. We always enjoyed seeing his pictures. I am also sorry to hear about your health issue. Glad to hear it is treatable with drugs since surgery seems impossible to do. Please give us updates on how that goes for you. Glad to hear that a *little Sam* could be on the way for you and your family.

[Annie&Dixie]

I'm so sorry about Sam, it's always heartbreaking. Good luck with the drug treatment :)

[palomino]

*hug*
Sorry about Sam. Im glad you dont have to have brain surgery- my friend just had to do that 'up through the nostrils' surgery to have her tumor (mostly) removed, and she looked like the elephant man for a good 6 weeks. *hug* again!

[offgridgirl]

RIP "big SAM" Hopefully, the mare in foal from him, will be a boy!!!
Good to hear that you are on the road to recovery. Positive healing thoughts your way!!

[hoofservant]

Sorry to hear about your lovely fellow, Sam. Its never easy to loose one and it always seems like its the one you least want to loose young that passes the earliest.

I had a roommate that had the up the nose surgery to remove a pituitary tumor. It was amazing to see the difference in his personality and mannerisms after it was removed and it was all healed. Talk about a Jekyl and Hyde situation before hand, afterwards, he was one even tempered dude. That being said, the 6 weeks of recovery were hell for him. He wasn't allowed to sneeze or it could rupture the dura mater where they went through to get to the pituitary tumor until the fat pack that was placed on the incision healed. The doc told him that if he sneezed or over-exerted himself and the pack came out, he'd have to spend 6 weeks in bed until the next one healed and part of that would be in the hospital.