We introduced Patient Worthy’s newest and first Contributor living with Cushing’s Disease in, On a Mission to be Fit and Fabulous, Meet Liz. If you are new to Liz’s series about her pre to post diagnosis and beyond, click on the links below to catch up. This is Part 3 of Liz’s official interview.
Part 1: Was I Crazy? Could I Really Be One of 3 in a Million?
Part 2: The Day I Met My Pituitary Tumor
In Part 3 of Liz’s official interview, Liz tells us more about her treatment, relationship with her HCP team, and how her support system helps her manage living with Cushing’s Disease.
How many doctors or specialists did you see?
“I met my primary doctor, then an endocrinologist in her group, who referred me to a neurosurgeon and endocrinologist in another hospital. That is four doctors. If I include the two gynecologists I saw previously, as well as my acupuncturist, and another primary doctor, that is another 4 doctors. Total 8 people!”
Who makes up your support team roster?
God, my family, my friends, my coworkers at Lifetime Athletic, my acupuncturist, massage therapist, and team of doctors.
My acupuncturist, Edith Lee helps me to fix the root cause of my problems and enables me to feel so much better through practicing acupuncture, mediation, and taking herbs.
My endocrinologist Dr. Eliza Geer is always so open and listens to everything I have to say! She explains things so well, and she specializes in imbalances relating to the pituitary gland and metabolism. She also deals with me when I freak out and I am upset about something. She knows that I don’t like medications, but continues to help me find what’s best for me.
My neurosurgeon is lastly, but most importantly a huge support. He is the best in the area too- Dr. Post. He is so calm and collected, and extremely intelligent- reminds me of my dad. I put all of my trust in him with my health. He is very experienced in removing pituitary adenomas, which is awesome because nuerosurgery is intense and there are unfortunate possibilities. Dr. Post has such great energy that I felt very comfortable with him and his abilities. Dr. Kalmon D. Post specializes in Neurological Surgery and is affiliated with Mount Sinai Beth Israel, Mount Sinai Medical Center and Mount Sinai St Lukes Hospital.
It is hard to trust and truly have faith in someone touching your brain.
Liz believes powerfully that God and her support system will continue to get her back to being her very best self. Her diagnosis journey has been a remarkably emotional experience, but Liz attributes her ability to overcome, believe in betterment and stay positive to her support system. “My biggest coping technique is to stay positive and go with the flow, and believe that everything happens for a reason. Exercise, nutrition, supplements, and acupuncture all also help.”
Have you had a funny/quirky experience with Cushing’s?
Yeah, When I was jummping for joy Telling everyone in the voice of Arnold Schwarzenegger, “I HAVE A TUMAAAAAAAAA!”
If you just met someone newly diagnosed what do you think is most important to tell them?
I would tell them that I would help them create a workout plan and nutrition plan, and that they need to see a good acupuncturist and massage therapist to help the symptoms. Then I would ask them- when is surgery scheduled? Take care of this ASAP before it gets worse.
What would you ask someone diagnosed before you?
I would ask if all of the symptoms reversed after their recovery from surgery.
Looking back, what do you wish you could tell yourself?
I should have went to the endocrinologist in December 2013 when I was first referred. In retrospect though, suffering was part of my journey to understand the true pain and struggle which lies behind this disease, really all rare diseases. I now know that I have the strength to overcome and the confidence to handle anything that comes my way. This whole experience has matured me greatly.
I am so strong mentally, I am more positive than ever, and I have a great outlook on life.
So how has living with Cushing’s influenced your life?
It has forced me to control my mind and be positive. I want to take my Nutrition Degree to be a registered dietitian not just for athletes or “regular people”, but with those who are imbalanced hormonally and biochemically. I want to work at an integrative medicine center, doing nutrition and intravenous supplementation for those in need of balance.
Liz’s Patient Worthy Message
Trust that everything happens for a reason.
The pain is temporary.
You are not alone. Talk about it and be strong.
I hope that soon I can come off medication and maybe have another surgery…. I will definitely keep you guys updated on that one!
Get inspired to get super healthy with Liz on Facebook (be sure to like her Pro Page) and Instagram!
Liz is on a journey to wellness and happiness. She hopes to learn more about integrative medicine through her own experience living with Cushing’s disease and she is looking forward to sharing her journey, lifestyle tips, recipes and maybe even some workout routines with Patient Worthy and all of you!
