Chronically Yours – a Column by Noura Costany

I recently had what I call a “day of doctors.” I had multiple specialist appointments coming up, so I planned them all for the same day. First, I met with a hematologist to figure out why my white blood cell count has been so high. The doctor offered several possibilities,…

I spend a lot of time talking with other people who are chronically ill. There’s something special about having a friend who truly understands everything I’ve been through with Cushing’s disease. Recently, I’ve noticed a pattern in my discussions with the Cushing’s community: There’s a lot of frustration…

Last weekend, my husband and I took a trip upstate to see my family. We left late, so by the time we were on our way, it was dark outside. With an iced coffee in hand, I relaxed into my seat, singing songs with my husband and enjoying the darkness…

My health has been drowning me lately. Not only did I have to deal with COVID-19, but also it’s the time of year when many of my regular medical appointments take place. I have an annual pituitary MRI to gauge the size and location of the tumor…

I looked around my apartment last week and realized I had medication everywhere. My coffee table had piles of pill bottles, my counter was full of Sharps containers and syringes, and my drawers were chock-full of vitamins. Everywhere I looked, there was something related to my Cushing’s disease. I’ve…

Last week was one of the worst weeks I’ve had in a long time. My husband and I were supposed to visit my brother and his family in Michigan. I looked forward to seeing my nephew and other relatives and getting a break from New York City. Unfortunately, before we…

The constant, overwhelming feeling starts in my stomach and spreads throughout my entire body. I have to take several deep breaths so that I can focus. My anxiety has been taking over several times a day, every day, since I started showing symptoms of Cushing’s disease in 2018.

It took me over two years to receive my Cushing’s disease diagnosis, mostly because my doctors weren’t well-versed in Cushing’s and didn’t know what to look for. I know that so many in the Cushing’s community have experienced that same sort of pain: We go to a…

Having Cushing’s disease is a full-time job. On many days, I just want to curl up in bed, pull a blanket over me, and sleep all day because my body is so tired and aches all over. However, life goes on, even with my illness, and I can’t ask…

I grew up in New York City, which has continued to be my home. My parents have a gorgeous house on Staten Island. I went to high school and college in Manhattan. I spent endless time at my best friend’s house in Brooklyn. Eventually I moved to upper Manhattan and,…