My Unexpected Journey: From Blurry Vision to a Tumor Diagnosis

On April 27th, 2016, my life took a surprising turn. What started as blurry vision—something I initially thought would be fixed with a new pair of glasses—became the beginning of a much more serious health journey. This is the story of how I discovered I had a pituitary tumor and the challenges, both physical and emotional, that followed.

The Fuzzy Screen Debacle and Exhaustion

It was just another normal day until my screen started to blur. I figured, “No big deal, I probably just need a stronger prescription.” Little did I know, this was only the beginning.

The Start of the Symptoms: Blurry Vision

On that fateful day in April 2016, my vision was blurry, and I assumed I just needed new glasses or maybe even contacts. I kept brightening and darkening my screen, hoping it would help, but it didn’t. I called my optometrist during lunch, ready to schedule an appointment to check my prescription and maybe even try contacts for the first time. Surely, this would fix the problem, right?

Trying Contacts

When my new contacts arrived, I was excited, but the blurry vision persisted. “Maybe I just need time to adjust,” I thought. But no luck. Even with the new contacts and later a brand new pair of glasses, the fuzziness refused to go away. That nagging feeling of “something isn’t right” started creeping in.

New Symptoms and an Unexpected Diagnosis

As if blurry vision wasn’t enough, by April 30th, I developed a painful, burning sensation in my shoulder blade. It felt like a sunburn, which quickly turned into chills and full-body aches. Concerned, I went to my doctor on May 2nd and was diagnosed with Internal Shingles. This explained the pain but did nothing for my vision problems. I was told to rest and take time off work, hoping the shingles would clear up and my vision would return to normal.

Spoiler alert: it didn’t.

Worsening Vision and a Referral to the Eye Clinic

Despite the rest and treatment, my vision worsened. When my new glasses finally arrived, they didn’t help at all. My optometrist seemed just as baffled and decided to refer me to Hogan Eye Clinic for further evaluation.

The Eye Clinic and a Trip to the ER

The Hogan Eye Clinic was busy—so busy, I felt like I had aged several years in the waiting room. After what seemed like hours, I was finally seen. Dr. Hogan performed visual field tests and eye exams. The results must have been serious because Dr. Hogan immediately sent me to Memorial Hospital’s ER for a CT scan.

Emergency Room Revelation: A Tumor Diagnosis

In the ER, I underwent a CT scan, and after what felt like an eternity, the doctor came in with news that changed everything: the scan revealed a pituitary mass pressing against my optic nerve. It was a tumor.

Hearing the word “tumor” felt surreal. Was this really happening? The ER doctor advised me to follow up with a neurosurgeon as soon as possible. I was sent home, but I felt like I was in a dream—a really bad one.

The Emotional Impact and Neurosurgeon Follow-Up

The first thing I did was call my mom and grandma in North Louisiana to break the news. Hearing their voices helped, but nothing could truly take away the anxiety of having a tumor.

The Neurosurgeon’s Appointment

The following Monday, I received a call from Dr. Melger, a neurosurgeon at Memorial, who immediately scheduled an MRI. The gravity of the situation began to settle in. I had a mass in my brain, but through it all, I clung to my faith. God’s word became my anchor, giving me strength to face the unknown.

Conclusion: Finding Strength and Sharing My Story

From blurry vision to the shocking diagnosis of a pituitary tumor, this journey has been a whirlwind of emotions. My faith has kept me grounded, and I’m grateful for the support of my family, friends, and medical team. Sharing my story is my way of coping with this diagnosis and connecting with others who might be going through something similar.

If you’re on a health journey of your own, know you’re not alone. Stay tuned for more updates as I navigate this path, and feel free to drop any questions or comments below. Let’s face the unknown together.