Dealing with a medical condition of any kind is difficult. Often the focus is on the things we’re no longer able to do. I’d like to take a different perspective and look at how strong we are — mentally, physically, and for some, spiritually. First, let’s look at mental…
Surviving and Thriving – a Column by Paris Dancy
What is postoperative care like when treating Cushing’s disease? In my experience, this question isn’t always fully answered by our physicians, and as patients, sometimes we must navigate the solutions on our own. After I had transsphenoidal surgery to remove a pituitary tumor in 2015, I expected…
My wife and I have been exploring the huge city of Houston, where we recently moved. She came across the downtown Buffalo Bayou Park for us to check out. I thought this would just be a park we could walk around a few times to take in nature. I…
“Life threw me a curveball” is a saying people use to describe an unexpected situation that’s come up in their lives. In baseball, a curveball is a common part of a pitcher’s arsenal. It’s used to throw off the batter’s timing and keep him off balance, not knowing where the…
In the Cushing’s disease support groups I belong to, I often see questions about medications. People frequently respond by giving advice about these medications based on their personal experiences. I take medications to treat hypogonadism, a result of having a pituitary tumor. I’m often asked about testosterone…
Last week, I had a conversation with someone who injured their knee and will need an MRI. They expressed concern about the procedure, so I tried to advise them about what to expect and how long the process lasts. This got me thinking about the times I’ve had an MRI…
In January 2016, I returned to work after having my pituitary tumor removed, through transsphenoidal surgery in November 2015 and a gamma knife procedure a month later. I figured returning to work would be a good distraction as well as a way to test how I was feeling.
When I was younger, I was very active as a two-sport athlete. I also spent a lot of time outdoors with friends. I was constantly getting bruised and scarred. Sometimes I knew where the scars came from, while other times, I’d notice them later when someone pointed them out. Scars…
Leadership is very important to me. When I was little, my father taught me that leadership skills can be displayed in many forms. A leader is not always the loudest or the most talented person, and leadership is not about power or being able to control others. How do you…
How would you feel if you woke up every day feeling less and less like yourself, until one day you no longer recognized yourself? What if you told someone with the expertise and the ability to help, but their response was along the lines of, “What you’re saying isn’t true;…
Recent Posts
- New research shows Cushing’s adds hidden fat BMI may overlook
- Isturisa exposure early in pregnancy may be less risky than thought
- Alternative neck access allows doctors to complete key test
- A pregnancy complication leads to yet another hospital admission
- Cushing’s patient’s psychiatric shifts tied to rapid Isturisa dose increase
- Years may pass by, but what I’m thankful for never changes
- Rare ‘double Cushing’s’ case highlights need to check cortisol
- Effective treatment found to ease depression, anxiety in Cushing’s
- High blood pressure and a history of Cushing’s land me in the hospital
- Cushing’s heart failure case shows need for early diagnosis