My Story
Hi, I’m Phil, happily married and happily retired! I have two children and four grandchildren.
I suppose my pituitary journey began well over 20 years ago when the first symptoms of my prolactinoma became apparent. Several years later, after going down several blind alleys, the diagnosis was finally made, treatment began, and the tumour was removed. I’ve happily taken the tablets, creams and injections ever since. After all, they keep me well and alive!
I was living abroad at the time, and was seen by specialists in Luxembourg, France, Belgium and Germany! Truly an international tumour. I now live in the UK. After diagnosis I felt quite lost, worried and alone. I took great comfort from finding The Pituitary foundation online, and after making contact I was contacted by a telephone buddy. I found this human contact very reassuring and helped me a lot on my pituitary journey. The information available on the foundation website l also found invaluable.
Why I chose to volunteer with The Pituitary Foundation
This contact with The Foundation and a visit or two to conferences made me want to help others in similar positions as well. After some training, I became a telephone buddy. I have been a buddy for over 15 years I believe, and also had several years volunteering on the telephone help desk.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
I doubt if I have a favourite story of my contacts as a buddy, as each contact has been worthwhile and interesting. I hope I have been able to offer some useful advice through my own experiences and training, and of course a listening ear. At the very least we are able to signpost others towards useful information they may not be aware is available out there. I have also learnt much from the people I have interacted with.
I would encourage those who are able to volunteer, as it is rewarding and can be of great comfort to fellow travellers who are just starting out on their own journey. You feel a useful small part of The Pituitary Foundation team, who do so much to bring this illness out of the shadows. Contact Nesta today and see how you could help out!
