Chronically Yours— Noura Costany

Recently, I was the bridesmaid at my friend’s wedding, but I was the only one using a mobility aid. Unfortunately, that made me feel a little self-conscious. As we were discussing how to walk down the aisle, I started to panic. Should we link to our partner’s arm or…

Because of ongoing health issues, including Cushing’s disease, I’ve been exhausted lately. I have to take several naps a day just to make it through, and most of the time I’m just hoping to be able to check off everything on my to-do list. Because I’ve been stuck…

I’ve spent the last hour staring at my computer. I need to write and get my work done, but my fingers don’t seem to want to move. Everything feels difficult this week. Showering, sleeping, and even just thinking feel like bricks being placed on my chest. I’m tired all day,…

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 cell count has been so high. The doctor offered several possibilities,…

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 discussions with the Cushing’s community: There’s a lot of frustration…

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 seat, singing songs with my husband and enjoying the darkness…

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 MRI to gauge the size and location of the tumor…

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 looked, there was something related to my Cushing’s disease. I’ve…

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 and getting a break from New York City. Unfortunately, before we…

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, since I started showing symptoms of Cushing’s disease in 2018.

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 have experienced that same sort of pain: We go to a…

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, life goes on, even with my illness, and I can’t ask…