Aaron, My name is Nicola and Kristy told me that you were interested in having an interview with me for a podcast. She told me that you would firstly like an introductory email from me, so here it is. I have included a synopsis of my book as well. Well, firstly I use to be a high school teacher and mainly taught the following subjects – English, Drama and History. I taught for about 15 years until I was diagnosed with a pituitary gland tumour, which is located at the base of the brain. Thankfully, the tumour was benign, but I did end up having a trial chemotherapy drug to stop it from continually growing! In total, I had 4 operations, with the last one being the worst with many complications. If you want to look up my book, you just need to search for ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ by Nicola Catalano and information about my book and photos from my book launch will appear on the website. Here’s the synopsis – Synopsis My book would probably fall into the category of being either a ‘Memoir’ or an ‘Autobiography’. It provides a recount of my experience of having a serious illness, that being a pituitary gland tumour/ brain tumour. I begin by outlining my initial symptoms which prompt me to visit my GP. It is then decided for me to have a blood test and then it is discovered that my hormone level is unbalanced. I then make an appointment to have a MRI Scan and also to see an endocrinologist. It is then discovered that I have a large tumour on my pituitary gland which is located at the base of the brain and I then explain how difficult it was for me to not only deal with this outcome but having to tell my friends and family. I then describe meeting my neurosurgeon for the first time and then what he intends to do. I go on to describe my experience of my first operation and what hospital was like for me. I outline the effects of the operation and the pain killing medication. After spending 2 weeks in hospital I return home but when I go for my follow up appointment with my neurosurgeon he reveals that the surgical team were unable to remove all of the tumour. I then have to wait and eventually a decision will be made as to whether another operation is required. It is decided that another operation is necessary as the surgical team are hoping that they will be able to remove more of the tumour or maybe even all of it. My stay in hospital this time is not as long as the first. Unfortunately, not all of the tumour can be removed as it is too near important body parts, like the carotid artery and also my optic nerve. After a long period of time, it is decided by my neurosurgeon that it is once again necessary to operate, as I had been continuously having MRI Scans which showed that quite an ample amount of tumour still remained. There would be a difference with this operation as the previous operations the tumour had been accessed via my nasal cavity and using microscopic equipment to access the tumour, but this time I would have a craniotomy, so my skull would be opened. My neurosurgeon was hoping that going through the head would provide more of a chance of removing the entire tumour. This was a very confronting operation as having my skull cut open was difficult to deal with as I had 50 staples placed in my head which then had to be extracted. Once again, not all of the tumour was removed due to its size and placement. My neurosurgeon then decided that radiotherapy might reduce the tumour. I discuss what it was like having this procedure. My health seemed to be going well and I even felt well enough to find another teaching position in a different school. However, one day I was driving along and about to cross a busy intersection when my vision went all blurry and somehow I still managed to negotiate the intersection until I turned safely down a side street. It was after this moment that I felt it was necessary to return to my neurosurgeon. A decision was soon made for me to have operation, number 4!! Once again it would be entry via my skull. There were a large amount of complications with this operation. I suffered from brain bleeds during the surgery and was in intensive care for a long period. It was such a severe situation that even my parents were called to come into the hospital and say their final goodbye to me as my situation was dire. Fortunately I survived but could not communicate for quite a long time. I therefore could not explain to everyone that I had lost my vision and was therefore, totally blind. I stayed in hospital for an entire year and then was placed in a variety of rehabilitation clinics and was unable to return to my own home for another 8 months. I also outline what my experiences were like in these rehabilitation clinics and some were quite negative. I also discuss what organisations like the Royal Society for the Blind provided and helped me with. I describe what life without sight now required and how different it was for me and trying to adapt. Finally I’m able to return home and th
