Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

“Let’s go around the table and share what we’re thankful for.” It’s the typical question we all hear during Thanksgiving. For me, my answer never changes. I’m incredibly thankful for my partner, who is not only an amazing husband but also a fantastic caregiver. I’m so grateful to have him…

“We need you to come to the hospital.” I never expected to hear those words when I did. I was 25 weeks pregnant, and everything had been going relatively smoothly. Sure, I’d dealt with some minor issues like skin problems and fatigue, but nothing alarming. A few days before…

Cushing’s disease has affected my skin for more than five years now. I started noticing skin issues in 2020, and now they’re all starting to reappear. I’ve been off my Cushing’s medications for about seven months because I’m pregnant. The drugs could be dangerous for my baby,…

I’m more than halfway through my pregnancy, which seems to be going incredibly fast. The egg retrieval procedure was last year, and our first embryo transfer was last June. My partner and I were lucky the first transfer worked, and now I’m over 23 weeks pregnant. It’s been an exciting…

I turn 30 in a few months, which has me reflecting on how my life has unfolded. Have I done enough to give back to others? Am I as far along with my career and other ambitions as my peers are? Reflecting helps me outline the things I still want…

I am a big believer in science, and I’m grateful that many vaccinations exist to keep me healthy and safe. But I also tend to have strong reactions to vaccines, partly due to my Cushing’s disease. Cushing’s disease weakens the muscles and thins the skin, which means injections can…

I generally like my health insurance plan, because it covers a lot of what I need. But I have Cushing’s disease, which is complex and can lead to complications with my insurance coverage. Here’s a recent example: Step one: I had a regular checkup with my OB-GYN. Because I…

I’m currently about halfway through my pregnancy, which is an amazing and exciting feat. To ensure the baby’s safety, I am currently off most of my medications for Cushing’s disease. I am currently taking the following medications and supplements: Synthroid (levothyroxine) Prenatal vitamins Vitamin D Iron Vitamin…

Working out with Cushing’s disease can be incredibly tough. I have weak bones and nonexistent muscles, and starting any new workout routine is intimidating. I’ve tried lifting, Pilates, yoga, running (the worst for my body), and even spin classes. When I was living in New York City,…

I’m terrible at asking for help. It’s important to me to prove that I can handle anything, despite my disability with Cushing’s disease. I have high expectations for myself and big goals I’m striving to achieve, and I don’t want to rely on anyone else to reach them. But…

My pregnancy is both high risk and low risk, which can be a bit confusing to explain. Because of my Cushing’s disease and polycystic ovary syndrome, my partner and I decided to pursue in vitro fertilization (IVF). I’m currently 16 weeks pregnant, and while my pregnancy has been going…

Recently, an image depicting a “disability hierarchy” has gone viral on social media, sparking controversy within the disability community. The pyramid has three levels that seem to indicate the severity of one’s disability: Wheelchair users are at the top, people with limb differences and other visible disabilities are in…