Adrenal Awareness

 I look in the mirror and I don't even recognize myself. I am experiencing the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, psychological effects of this wretched disease. I displayed the classic physical manifestations of Cushings; the moon face, hump on the back, acne, weight gain that produced stretch marks all over my body, especially around my core with very skinny arms and legs, frizzy falling hair, emotional highs and lows, and fatigue. My doctor said it was a miracle that I was still able to care for my children as I should not have had the strength or energy to walk across my room. Not only did I not recognize myself, many people, that I interacted with on a regular basis did not recognize me. One day I picked up my daughter from school early. I walked up to the receptionist desk and stated that I was there to pick up my daughter early and gave her name. The receptionist responded by saying that only her mom was authorized to pick her up. I reminded her that "I am her mom.

Becoming ill and being diagnosed with Cushings caused me to really examine my life and consider every event that might have contributed to what was happening with my health. I didn't have diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer. I had a mysterious illness that was rare, and doctors didn't know a whole lot about it. Overall, I realized that my life had been very traumatic since birth. Prior to becoming ill, I was just living my life. Humans are very adaptive, and my life was all I knew so I thought the stress, the constant minor health annoyances such as strep throat, upper respiratory infections, bladder infections, colds, excruciating headaches, visual disturbances, and every other bug that came along, were normal. I had no idea this thing called Cushings was brewing inside of me. As I began to reflect, I first thought of my traumatic birth. My Mom went into labor with me at 8 months which is the worst time to give birth because so many organs are developing and preparing for