Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

I recently had what I call a “day of doctors.” I had multiple specialist appointments coming up, so I planned them all for the same day. First, I met with a hematologist to figure out why my white blood…

I spend a lot of time talking with other people who are chronically ill. There’s something special about having a friend who truly understands everything I’ve been through with Cushing’s disease. Recently, I’ve noticed a pattern in my…

Last weekend, my husband and I took a trip upstate to see my family. We left late, so by the time we were on our way, it was dark outside. With an iced coffee in hand, I relaxed into…

My health has been drowning me lately. Not only did I have to deal with COVID-19, but also it’s the time of year when many of my regular medical appointments take place. I have an annual pituitary…

I looked around my apartment last week and realized I had medication everywhere. My coffee table had piles of pill bottles, my counter was full of Sharps containers and syringes, and my drawers were chock-full of vitamins. Everywhere I…

Last week was one of the worst weeks I’ve had in a long time. My husband and I were supposed to visit my brother and his family in Michigan. I looked forward to seeing my nephew and other relatives…

The constant, overwhelming feeling starts in my stomach and spreads throughout my entire body. I have to take several deep breaths so that I can focus. My anxiety has been taking over several times a day, every day,…

It took me over two years to receive my Cushing’s disease diagnosis, mostly because my doctors weren’t well-versed in Cushing’s and didn’t know what to look for. I know that so many in the Cushing’s community…

Having Cushing’s disease is a full-time job. On many days, I just want to curl up in bed, pull a blanket over me, and sleep all day because my body is so tired and aches all over. However,…

I grew up in New York City, which has continued to be my home. My parents have a gorgeous house on Staten Island. I went to high school and college in Manhattan. I spent endless time at my best…

I’ve been living with Cushing’s disease since 2018. Over the years, I tried out multiple doctors until I formed my perfect care team, which includes endocrinologist Theodore Friedman, MD, PhD. He helped me obtain my…

Choosing a doctor, or a team of them, is a personal decision. Finding them can be an intimidating process, and it’s exhausting when we have to deal with people who are dismissive, who engage in medical gaslighting, or who…