Day 1: Cushing's Awareness Challenge 2022

[~MaryO~]

April is always Cushing's Awareness Challenge month because Dr. Harvey Cushing was born on April 8th, 1869.

Thanks to Robin for this wonderful past logo!  I've participated in these 30 days for Cushing's Awareness several times so I'm not quite sure what is left to say this year but I always want to get the word out when I can.

As I see it, there have been some strides the diagnosis or treatment of Cushing's since last year.  More drug companies are getting involved, more doctors seem to be willing to test, a bit more awareness, maybe.

 

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How fitting that this challenge should begin on April Fool's Day.  So much of Cushing's  Syndrome/Disease makes us Cushies seem like we're the April Fool.  Maybe, just maybe, it's the doctors who are the April Fools...

Doctors tell us Cushing's is too rare - you couldn't possibly have it.  April Fools!

All you have to do is exercise and diet.  You'll feel better.  April Fools!

Those bruises on your legs?  You're just clumsy. April Fools!

Sorry you're growing all that hair on your chin.  That happens as you age, you know.  April Fools!

Did you say you sleep all day?  You're just lazy.  If you exercised more, you'd have more energy. April Fools!

You don't have stretch marks.  April Fools!

You have stretch marks but they are the wrong [color/length/direction] April Fools!

The hump on the back of your neck is from your poor posture. April Fools!

Your MRI didn't show a tumor.  You couldn't have Cushing's. April Fools!

This is all in your mind.  Take this prescription for antidepressants and go home.  April Fools!

If you have this one surgery, your life will get back to normal within a few months. April Fools!

What?  You had transsphenoidal surgery for Cushing's?  You wasted your time and money. April Fools!

I am the doctor.  I know everything.  Do not try to find out any information online. You could not have Cushing's.  It's too rare...  April FOOL!

All this reminds me of a wonderful video a message board member posted a while ago:

 

https://youtu.be/GRaDr3cPAmE

 

So now - who is the April Fool?  It wasn't me.  Don't let it be you, either!

[~MaryO~]

Somehow, the fact that April 1 was fast approaching slipped my mind this year but here we are.  Every month seems to be Cushing’s Awareness Month as more and more people are learning about Cushing's.

 

It doesn’t seem like the diagnostic process is getting any easier, though. I read posts on here, on Facebook, in my inbox and people still aren’t getting the answers they need from doctors.

 

I’ve had my license tags (CUSH1E) for many years and just last week someone mentioned them - and I could share about Cushing’s once again.  They make is so easy to start a conversation.

 

While American actress Amy Schumer is spreading the word about Cushing’s in general, I think that in some ways she is hurting things for everyone else.  CBS News reports that “she says she now feels ‘reborn’ after her diagnosis, and while some forms of Cushing can be fatal, she has a type that ‘will just work itself out.’”

 

How many others will try to get diagnosed and only be told not to worry, that it “will just work itself out”?

[~MaryO~]

Comment from https://cushieblog.com/2024/04/01/day-1-cushings-awareness-challenge-2016/

Great post which sums up the doctor patient relationship quite well. And by extension my marital relationship as my husband believed the doctor. I finished my memoir and am happy to say I covered all those points. An agent read my first chapter and asked me to send her the full manuscript. I am waiting for her to read it and get back to me. I’m with you. More people need to know about this illness. I’m hoping to get my story published. You are doing such a wonderful job of awareness. Thank you for your tireless work Mary O.