Lauren uses her experience to help others

A former hairdresser was inspired to train as a nurse after being diagnosed with a pituitary tumour.

Lauren Bates needed surgery to remove the seven-centimetre growth, which was wrapped around her pituitary gland at the base of her brain. It was caused by a rare hormonal disorder called acromegaly, where the body produces too much growth hormone.

The 35 year old, from New Romney, underwent four operations at Kings College Hospital in London, followed by radiotherapy and other medical therapies to try and control the condition. She was so impressed with the support she received from specialist nurses that she decided to switch careers so she could also help others.

Lauren now works in the emergency department at the William Harvey Hospital, after qualifying as a nurse last year, and has also set up a support group for people with complex pituitary conditions.

She said: “My clinical nurse specialists were amazing, and I wanted to help people in the same way they had helped me.

“I’m thinking about specialising in endocrinology in the future but for the moment I love working in the emergency department.

“It is a privilege to be able to care for people in their most vulnerable moments.”

Lauren was diagnosed in her 20s, after experiencing a range of symptoms from nausea and her periods stopping, to her hands, feet and nose growing.

Surgeons were not able to remove all of the tumour because of its location, and Lauren now has yearly scans as well as monthly blood tests to check on her health.

She also lost the sight in her right eye as a result of the treatment, but does not let that hold her back.

She said: “At the beginning it does feel overwhelming, and you need reassurance that you can get through it – that’s where the support group comes in.

“I travelled to Birmingham just to attend one because it is so important to talk to others who are in the same situation or who are perhaps further along on their journey.

“I manage really well now and it doesn’t define me, but I want to try and help improve the service for patients in east Kent. That is partly why I set up the support group, with the Pituitary Foundation.”

Lauren has also had meetings with colleagues working in endocrinology to build links and would welcome involvement from any clinicians with a special interest in the subject.

So far 40 patients have joined the mailing list for the group and she has held several in-person meet-ups. For more information or to join the group, email lauren.acromegaly@outlook.com or visit their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584221486286

You can also donate to support the group’s running costs at https://www.justgiving.com/page/kentpituitarygroup