Columns

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…

Usually, when we ask a question, we receive an answer. But for those of us dealing with pituitary tumors and Cushing’s disease, one of the hardest parts is that there often aren’t answers. While struggling with my pituitary adenoma in 2015, I constantly asked myself, “How did this happen?”…

This is the season of joy, jolly fun, and gifts. In my opinion, this is the greatest time of the year. The end of the year allows us to finish strong and to reflect on the growth and progress we have made toward our goals. The greatest gift I have…

Everyone faces adversity, trauma, and tragedy at some point in their lives. But does it always show up in the same way? No. Do these life events affect us all in different ways? Absolutely, but something else also takes place. Some of us experience the drive and determination that comes…