Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

I smile the entire night, have a few sips of wine, and push myself. A long walk? You bet. A staircase? I can handle it. You want to eat at 9 p.m. and then go home in the dark? Sure. I try my best to appear normal. It’s not that…

I’ve been sick with Cushing’s disease for so long that being unhealthy is basically my status quo. I don’t blink at headaches or go to the doctor when my bones are aching. If I had every single issue checked out, I’d never leave the hospital. Simply going about my…

There is much room for improvement when it comes to mobility aids. Most of the affordable options are one-size-fits-all and not tailored to an individual’s needs. Even though I rely on assistive devices, none of them is a perfect fit for me. Cushing’s disease has left me with myriad…

I’ve only been a parent for eight months, and my daughter is the greatest decision I’ve ever made, hands down. I love her endlessly, and I’m so grateful that I have her in my life. She has taught me so much about myself already, and together we have been learning…

I drink water all day long and carry a reusable water bottle with me. I even have an app that reminds me to drink water so I don’t forget. I take all my medications with water and never leave the house without it. It turns out, however, that despite my…

A few weekends ago, my family and I all crammed into a car and drove to Pennsylvania from our home in Michigan for my beloved grandmother’s funeral. Since we had a toddler and a 7-month-old in the car, eight hours turned into 12. That long car ride was followed by…

I glance at the clock for the 15th time. It’s 2 a.m. I need to wake up in two hours to feed the baby, and my eyes are stinging with exhaustion. I’ve tried everything. I count sheep. I manifest. I put on the sounds of oceans, forests, and birds. I…

Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with diet, exercise, and supplements. Not everyone will have the same response. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy or health regimen. Nothing has motivated me to focus on my health more than having a daughter. I look down at…

I have very odd eyesight problems that are caused by Cushing’s disease, including visual snow, floaters, halos, and night blindness. According to neuro-ophthalmologists that I’ve seen, my actual eyesight is fine. My issues are caused by the high levels of cortisol in my body. My body responds to stress with…

Brain fog is one of the most frustrating issues I face with Cushing’s disease. It’s not one thing, but a collection of symptoms, such as memory lapses, confusion, trouble focusing, mental cloudiness, and unease. I didn’t realize that Cushing’s disease was causing my brain fog at first. I…

Being queer and chronically ill are two huge parts of who I am. I’m proud of both of the identities that influence my community and my life. For a long time, these two parts of me felt like a Venn diagram where the circles didn’t even touch. However, over time,…