Blog Posts

Today is the last day of my halftime. I still have the weekend, but Monday - the 3rd quarter starts. Halftime has been everything I needed. First, I recovered, then I researched, and then I started putting my plan into place. The important thing I am keeping in mind, is I am going into the 3rd quarter as a different person - in all of the best ways. I truly took the time to understand the 1st and 2nd quarters. To see what went wrong, what I learned from each, and how th

Okay - it is finally time to dive in and explain what I have been doing during my halftime. I took everything that happened to me and everything I learned and processed it all. I spent (and am continuing to spend) as much time as I can researching, starting with what I already knew. What I already know The HPA axis is a self-regulating negative feedback loop that is responsible for all types of survival functions: stress response, energy, metabolism, blood sugar, immune sy

When secondary adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed, the treatment is a steroid pill - hydrocortisone or prednisone. For the hydrocortisone that is total for the day it is split into 2-4 different doses throughout the day. I was originally prescribed hydrocortisone with the unqualified provider, when I switched to my very well-equipped provider she transitioned me to prednisone. They do the same thing, but hydrocortisone is shorter acting typically taken in multiple doses thr

Quick Reminder: ECS = Endogenous Cushing Syndrome (my initial diagnosis) SAI = Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency (my postoperative diagnosis) So, what is my plan for recovery? First, I'll start with what the current prescribed treatment process looks like. ECS treatment is very straight forward - surgery (adrenalectomy and tumor removal). On April 21, 2025, I had my surgery while my sister and brother-in-law so generously flew out so my husband could stay with me in the hospi

Long Post Warning! :) I tried to condense it, but it was a several-day stay and LOTS to share. I wish I could say that my experiences are unique, but unfortunately, my experiences seem to be the rule, not the exception. I am in a Facebook group for adrenal insufficiency support (15k+ members). In this group, the posts are about one of two things - advice when symptoms arise (to go to the hospital, to stress dose, etc.) or they are emergency department horror stories. I'll pr