Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate Carl Brashear‘s name is synonymous with resilience and determination. Brashear, who became the first Black master diver in the U.S. Navy, had to deal with pervasive racism from Navy colleagues. Additionally, in 1966, he suffered an injury that resulted in the amputation of his leg.
Last weekend, I watched three really good movies: “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” “A Journal For Jordan,” and “Avengers: Endgame.” They had great directing, acting, and life lessons, and each conveyed major themes about choice and time. On Nov. 9, 2015, I underwent transsphenoidal surgery that lasted about five hours.
If you or a doctor suspect you have Cushing’s disease, what happens next? While the testing process can be lengthy, it’s worth the effort to find answers. People often ask me about the diagnostic process on Instagram, so I decided to share my experience here. If you’re struggling to…
Welcome to “Half the Battle,” a new column about my experience with Cushing’s disease. My name is Caitlin, I’m 30 years old, and from the U.S. Northeast. I was diagnosed with Cushing’s disease six years ago. My hope for this column is that it will provide insight into what…
What is a typical day like for someone dealing with Cushing’s disease? Some people who are unfamiliar with this disease have asked me this question. My usual answer is, “It’s fine.” But to be honest, it is not fine — it can be extremely difficult. I can’t speak for everyone,…
The beginning of a new year is always a good time to think about ways to improve our self-care. As a counselor, when I first meet with clients during a counseling or coaching session, I ask about their biggest strengths and weaknesses. Although it may seem like a simple question,…
You can tell a lot about a person within the first seven seconds of meeting them. I am a Cushing’s disease warrior. Whew, now that that’s out of the way, allow me to delve deeper into what it means to be a warrior of this disease. I’ve carried 179 pounds…
Editor’s note: This column discusses suicide. Please find resources for help at the end of the column. Living with a disability or an illness is difficult, not only for the patient, but for his family and his caregivers, as well, and it’s not uncommon for those dealing with a chronic…
The new year will soon be upon us, providing another opportunity for growth, change, and advancement. This has been a year of consistency and demonstration for me. I did not start the year where I wanted to be, but I am finishing it exactly where I am supposed to be.
Communication involves a message being delivered and a message being received. Experiencing symptoms of a pituitary gland tumor or Cushing’s disease is an example of our body communicating with us, telling us something isn’t right. The worst thing we can do is ignore our body when it is trying…
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