Someone once asked me, “What would life be like if you never had Cushing’s disease?” I then wondered, if I could time travel and erase my Cushing’s diagnosis, would I? I thought my answer to the latter would be swift and obvious. It’s not. I ponder my life…
Barriers are obstacles that get in our way as we pursue a goal. These barriers sometimes are out of our control, but sometimes we allow them to stop our progress. My journey with Cushing’s disease had a few self-inflicted barriers I needed to overcome to achieve my goals. Until…
After having transsphenoidal pituitary surgery to remove a pituitary tumor in November 2015, followed by a gamma knife procedure a month later to remove the residual part of the tumor, I was closely monitored by my neurosurgeon. For the next three years, I would routinely meet with…
In 2018, I decided to stop using testosterone replacement therapy due to the side effects I was experiencing, most notably, increasingly aggressive behavior. One concern I had at the time, though, was that ending the treatment would cause an increase in Cushing’s-related symptoms, because other hormones might be…
In the Cushing’s disease and pituitary tumor community, families, friends, and significant others sometimes provide limited support, if any, to patients. There are many reasons for this, such as a patient’s lack of physical symptoms or even a misdiagnosis. But the main issue, I believe, is…
How do I lose weight? What is the best diet for Cushing’s disease? How long until I start to see weight loss? Why do I lose a little bit of weight, plateau, then put it back on? These questions are frequently asked in the Cushing’s community. The answer is…
As a child, I always envisioned myself helping people. This is reflected in some of my earliest memories of getting ready for Halloween: I always wanted to be a doctor or a ninja. As I grew older, my career aspirations changed, but they always centered around saving lives or helping…
Since battling a pituitary tumor and Cushing’s disease, I have noticed that many other patients share similar concerns about types of support that are limited or unavailable. I believe there should be a program for Cushing’s patients that addresses these issues and provides us with assistance. Three key…
One of the most frustrating experiences is going to see a physician about symptoms you’re having and being told there’s nothing wrong. Even worse is when you go to another physician who relies on the previous physician’s notes to make a diagnosis. Unfortunately, this story is all too…
Hospitalizations can be difficult, especially if it’s your first time staying overnight. It’s uncomfortable not to be in your own bed, and the food usually isn’t the greatest, especially if your doctor has recommended a particular diet, such as low sodium or low carb. When I had transsphenoidal surgery…
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