Most of you will know I am no athlete! However after being diagnosed with acromegaly resulting from a 3cm pituitary tumour in 2020, this rather overweight, middle-aged, menopausal lass started to gently jog in an attempt to regain my fitness- and now as a way of saying thank you for all the support of the endocrine and neurosurgical teams at the Hallamshire hospital I am going to attempt to run a half marathon in April this year. 

 I can promise now no speed records will be broken but you will remember if you know me -what I lack in athletic ability will be made up for with sheer grit and determination ( or as some prefer to call it - bloody mindedness!) 

Pituitary disease is rare and without the support of organisations like The Pituitary Foundation many doctors would understand less and many patients would be unsupported. 

The condition I have usually take years to be diagnosed and I have needed surgery,  gamma knife radiotherapy and some rather expensive medications to get it under control.  The consequences of acromegaly are far reaching and like most pituitary diseases GPs like me rarely treat them.  The Pituitary Foundation publish information and guides both for patients but also for non endocrine doctors and clinical staff. They also fund specialist nurses who are able to give specialist support and advice.

I know there are so many amazing causes out there but this one is close to my heart!