Monica’s husband Kevin, April 24. Talking about Cushing’s from the spouse/caretaker point of view He is also Monica’s producer/ manager. He has been a tour manager and sound engineer in the music industry his whole life and has worked with many of the greats in the industry. For the two years during Monica’s diagnosis and surgeries he worked from home as a computer programmer so that he could take care of Monica. Monica and Kevin were married two years ago, just before Monica’s pituitary surgery
Today is the 31st anniversary of my pituitary surgery at NIH.
As one can imagine, it hasn’t been all happiness and light. Â Most of my journey has been documented here and on the message boards – and elsewhere around the web.
My Cushing’s has been in remission for most of these 31 years. Â Due to scarring from my pituitary surgery, I developed adrenal insufficiency.
When I got kidney cancer, I had to stop the GH, even though no doctor would admit to any connection between the two.
Last year I went back on it (Omnitrope this time) in late June. Hooray! I still don’t know if it’s going to work but I have high hopes. I am posting some of how that’s going here.
During nephrectomy, doctors removed my left kidney, my adrenal gland, and some lymph nodes. Â Thankfully, the cancer was contained – but my adrenal insufficiency is even more severe than it was.
In the last couple years, I’ve developed ongoing knee issues.  Because of my cortisol use to keep the AI at bay, my endocrinologist doesn’t want me to get a cortisone injection in my knee. September 12, 2018 I did get that knee injection (Kenalog) and it’s been one of the best things I ever did. I’m not looking forward to telling my endo!
I also developed an allergy to blackberries in October and had to take Prednisone – and I’ll have to tell my endo that, too!
My mom has moved in with us, bring some challenges…
But, this is a post about Giving Thanks.  The series will be continued on this blog unless I give thanks about something else Cushing’s related đ
I am so thankful that in 1987 the NIH existed and that my endo knew enough to send me there.
Monica’s husband Kevin, April 24. Talking about Cushing’s from the spouse/caretaker point of view He is also Monica’s producer/ manager. He has been a tour manager and sound engineer in the music industry his whole life and has worked with many of the greats in the industry. For the two years during Monica’s diagnosis and surgeries he worked from home as a computer programmer so that he could take care of Monica. Monica and Kevin were married two years ago, just before Monica’s pituitary surgery
“Dr. Harvey Cushing, who is the one responsible for discovering our disease, found some of his patients in circuses.”
Other responses so far:
OP: Thank you for sharing this Mary Kelly O’Connor… as sad as this is… that our past cushingâs friends were on display as freaks in circuses, i am happy he was able to find them and help them and further his research.
Mary Kelly O’Connor:Â I remembered from reading this book many years ago.
For a long time, I was “mad” at circuses until I realized that they were the only people offering jobs to Cushies and others who should have had a better chance at life.
I know the circuses were exploiting the “freaks” but at least they could find a place in society.
I am so thankful to Dr. Cushing and the work he did…for all of us. I hate the disease but I am so glad that I’m alive after it was discovered and I didn’t have to run away to join a circus, too.
OP: Mary Kelly O’Connor i also am thankful to dr harvey cushing… even though i did read he was sorta an asshole arrogant jerk. Lol. I guess when you are the father of neuroscience you are entitled though…
Mary Kelly O’Connor:Â My first “real” endo, the one who diagnosed me was that description. But he got me into NIH for surgery and I’m thankful to him, too. (But I never went back after I found another endo. LOL)
Monica’s husband Kevin, April 24. Talking about Cushing’s from the spouse/caretaker point of view He is also Monica’s producer/ manager. He has been a tour manager and sound engineer in the music industry his whole life and has worked with many of the greats in the industry. For the two years during Monica’s diagnosis and surgeries he worked from home as a computer programmer so that he could take care of Monica. Monica and Kevin were married two years ago, just before Monica’s pituitary surgery
