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"(The following letter, written in 1999, now includes an encouraging update);
Since 1993 I have been through a lot of sickness; kidney stones, ulcers, high blood pressure, back strain, stress fracture toes, and sprained wrists that turned into Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. All of this leading into the biggest daddy of them all; "CUSHING'S SYNDROME".
In 1995, I quit having periods, started swelling and could not lose weight. My doctor told me to enjoy not having periods. By 1996, I was very depressed, did a lot of crying, and my skin turned purplish-red. By now my face was rounding into moon-shaped, my shoulders were humped like a buffalo, and I was extremely weak. I couldn't even get up from the floor. I was a warehouse worker, so between the C.T.S. and Cushing's, work was very hard. I was going crazy from getting passed from doctor to doctor and trying to find out what was wrong with me. Work was down on me because I was on light duty from the C.T.S. and not getting any better. I didn't know what was going on in my body and not getting any answers. I felt suicidal.
By now I was on my third doctor and, thank God, he realized there was a problem. He sent me to an Endocrinologist. She is the one who diagnosed me with Cushing's. Thank God for her. I told her she's my Angel for saving my life. Finally after almost two years, I felt like there was hope. Her name is Dr. Bajaj. She sent me to the surgeon, Dr. Creevy. He realized I couldn't do any physical labor and excused me from work which was a blessing mentally.
My tumor was on my right adrenal gland. I was cut across my right side and my eleventh rib was removed.
I was born with a clubfoot and they told me I would never walk without a cane. I proved them wrong. I used to be a cheerleader. So because of that physical challenge since birth, I've had to be a fighter. I never dreamed I would be physically challenged like that again but with Cushing's - I was. I obtained an attorney because work was trying to get rid of me. I have since settled with the company and I am now on disability through my work insurance company. In November of 1998, I will be having surgery on my hands to help the Carpal Tunnel and then I will start physical therapy. I want to go back to warehouse work.
My Dad always told me something good always comes out of something bad - you just have to look for it. He was right. I learned who my true friends are and just how supportive my family can be. I am very lucky to have them, especially my Mom who gave me a home to live in and took care of me. I thank my Dad in heaven who gave me knowledge and faith, and my sons, Ryan and Cameron, who had patience and understanding. And a special thanks to my cousin, Debbie, who found information on the internet that lead me to all the special people who have gone through this terrible disease. I don't feel lonely anymore. GOD BLESS!!!
It is now 2007 and I've come a long way since my surgery in 1997. Ten years and several jobs later, I have finally found a great job that I hope to retire from. My pictures were taken 9 years ago. It took about a year to lose all the weight (75 pounds). I have had to always watch my weight, but after surgery the Cushing's weight and looks seemed to just go away without really trying. So I'm glad to say that I physically feel great. But I lost my Mom last year so other than the depression and stress - life is GOOD!! I thank God for being one of the lucky few that have been cured, and don't need to be on medication for the rest of my life. My current battle is over insurance and trying to prove I am healthy. My request for help from fellow CSRF'ers appeared in the last newsletter and I have had a few responses that were very kind and understood what I was going through. Luckily, I have insurance through my company, they just don't have any short/long term disability benefits. That's why they have A…. (insurance supplement) come in once a year to see if anyone wants to "buy" additional benefits. This is when I found out that a person with a "Cushing's history" was not qualified for these benefits. Thus began the quest for anyone else having problems with health insurance. Thanks to Louise Pace for suggesting that a letter from a doctor stating that adrenal Cushing's is curable, can be helpful in approaching insurance companies. Believe me, I will be pursuing that option and will share all the information that comes from this. So, I will return!!
Thank God we all have each other! So basically 10 years after being passed around from doctor to doctor to find out what was wrong with me, now I am being passed around from doctor to doctor to prove that there is nothing wrong with me. Only a Cushing's patient can keep laughing after all this.
Please feel free to contact me anytime by phone or email.
Love and prayers,
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