Chronically Yours
— Noura Costany

Many people with Cushing’s disease have the dreaded “buffalo hump.” Mine appeared a few years before my official diagnosis. My husband pointed out a weird lump between my shoulders, but I shrugged it off as bad posture and started stretching to correct it. However, as the lump grew larger…

Sex and intimacy can be uncomfortable to discuss. It can feel like a private conversation, especially after receiving a medical diagnosis that affects your sex life. However, it’s important to be open and honest about how chronic illness can affect intimacy so that the topic becomes less taboo. With…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with various medications and supplements. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. My Cushing’s disease treatment plan has changed many times over the years. I have blood work done every…

I am nine months postpartum, and while I’ve recovered from the urgent cesarean section and am managing motherhood to the best of my abilities, it has been a wild ride. While the initial postpartum period typically lasts six to eight weeks, full healing can take up to a year.

I smile the entire night, have a few sips of wine, and push myself. A long walk? You bet. A staircase? I can handle it. You want to eat at 9 p.m. and then go home in the dark? Sure. I try my best to appear normal. It’s not that…

I’ve been sick with Cushing’s disease for so long that being unhealthy is basically my status quo. I don’t blink at headaches or go to the doctor when my bones are aching. If I had every single issue checked out, I’d never leave the hospital. Simply going about my…

There is much room for improvement when it comes to mobility aids. Most of the affordable options are one-size-fits-all and not tailored to an individual’s needs. Even though I rely on assistive devices, none of them is a perfect fit for me. Cushing’s disease has left me with myriad…

I’ve only been a parent for eight months, and my daughter is the greatest decision I’ve ever made, hands down. I love her endlessly, and I’m so grateful that I have her in my life. She has taught me so much about myself already, and together we have been learning…

I drink water all day long and carry a reusable water bottle with me. I even have an app that reminds me to drink water so I don’t forget. I take all my medications with water and never leave the house without it. It turns out, however, that despite my…

A few weekends ago, my family and I all crammed into a car and drove to Pennsylvania from our home in Michigan for my beloved grandmother’s funeral. Since we had a toddler and a 7-month-old in the car, eight hours turned into 12. That long car ride was followed by…

I glance at the clock for the 15th time. It’s 2 a.m. I need to wake up in two hours to feed the baby, and my eyes are stinging with exhaustion. I’ve tried everything. I count sheep. I manifest. I put on the sounds of oceans, forests, and birds. I…