Ask the Family

• Hiding from VHL
• Medical Advice

Hiding from VHL

Dear Family,

My family has learned so much through the Alliance. We are working with our medical teams to manage our health.

I am worried about my late husband's brother. He is "hiding out" from VHL, believing that if he doesn't go to the doctor he won't have to deal with VHL. I've tried to talk with him about it, but he doesn't want to hear it. I don't want to be a nag, but I really feel he should go for check-ups.

-- Signed, Concerned

Dear Concerned,

Every family has at least one person who "hides out" at some time. I would give him lots of material to read. Hand him brochures, the Handbook, pass him copies of the newsletter.

Say that you feel he has nothing to lose by simply reading about it. You know he is an intelligent person, you're simply asking him to read for himself with an open mind, and make his own decision.

Let him know about the 800 number. He can call anonymously and ask any questions he wants to ask.

Most of all, let him know that you care about him very much,

-- Peggy M., Mississippi

Medical Advice

I found especially useful, enlightening, and interesting "The Many Masks of Adrenal Involvement" [VHLFF 1:4, Dec. 1993] as I do have high blood pressure, diabetes, and am very intolerant of heat and break out in sweats. Let's hear more on Pheochromocytomas!

- Barbara S., New Jersey

Dear Barbara,

Thanks for your positive feedback on the article. We will be glad to share more personal stories and medical information about pheochromocytomas in future issues.

Don't forget that your best source of advice for your own situation is your own medical team. We can alert you here to the kinds of issues which may arise, and provide information to assist your medical team in learning from the experience of other families and doctors. If you feel that you could be affected, please share the article with your own physicians and get it checked out.

- Joyce Graff, Editor