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Welcome to the Cushing's Help and Support Newsletters!
If it appears
that the entire newsletter is not here, or you prefer to
read the HTML version of this newsletter on the Internet,
it is available here: http://www.cushingsonline.com/newsletters/1-17-2007.htm.
Read
archived past newsletters here: http://www.cushingsonline.com/newsletters/newsletters.htm
To make sure you continue to receive Cushing's e-mail in your inbox (and that it is not sent to bulk or junk folders), please add CushingsSupport@aol.com to your address book.
Unsubscribe information appears at the bottom of this, and every, newsletter.
CUSH Cookbooks are here!
The CUSH Cookbooks are only $10.00 each including shipping and handling.
Any profits will go to help bring awareness for Cushings.
Thank you!
The cookbooks have about 169 recipes, so it isn't a huge cookbook,
but one that includes contributions from many Cushing's message board members.
To purchase a cookbook send a check to:
CUSH
PO Box 1843
Florence, AL.
35631-1843
please indicate on your check "Cookbook" or include a note with payment.
You can also purchase cookbooks through Paypal. Please indicate that the
payment is for "cookbook."
Be sure that your correct mailing address is included with payment along with a
contact phone number in case we have questions concerning your order.
If anyone has any questions concerning cookbook payments please contact CUSH
Treasurer Cathy Gifford at CUSHOrg@aol.com
Coming Soon!
What would you like to hear in a Cushing's Podcast?
These are the podcast ideas that have been posted so far:
Some of the podcasts I listen to have "chapters" so people can skip over things they don't want or need, or listen to parts that they like several times. Do you think that's a good idea or not??
Submit your opinions and see what others have said on the Message Boards.
New on the Message Boards:
Judy is starting this off by teaching ART:
Drawing/Painting/Photography Class
ART: Drawing/Painting/Photography Class, any
interest in internet class/gallery on the message boards http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=12851&;st=0
Led by Judy from Pgh assisted by Robin
Judy writes: You would need a digital camera (or scanner)
and we could have a subject every week and have a showing in the
gallery.
This class would involve NO money.
This class would not bring any photos or unauthorized pictures
to this site.
What I had in mind was ........lets say every Monday I would
start the "class" by giving an assignment. You could
either stick with the assignment or do what it is you want to do.
I have found that if I am given an assignment i tend to follow
thru as there will be a critique and discussion on that subect!.
How many of us would be interested in just posting their own
picture each week either in the gallery or on a website that we
can visit like photobucket (we actually could all post it in
photobucket if need be and look at each others work and make
comments??)
I know many have an interest in art.......but also art is used
for therapy. Please dont think you need a masterpiece to do this,
just get your frustrations and feelings out on a piece of paper
and who knows where that will lead.
I will take charge of this class as if we just decide to do this
with no guidance it could be disasterous. We can switch leaders
after a few months if need be.
Okay here is what I had in mind:
This is Monday.
Assignment for next Monday: ...............do a still life
...............you can use any medium for desire from simple
pencil sketch to
oil on canvass.
...............set up your still life whether it is a flower, a
piece of fruit, a teapot
lace material under it, or anything you want. Use light to show
shadows.
................any questions just post, but basically there are
no real rules. Just
draw or paint something and come Sunday nite or Monday post it so
we can l
look at it.
you can take you picture, painting
to Kinkos, have it scanned and placed on your computer. You have
to make sure you keep it to the size of their largest scan which
i think is 12"x18" without going into extra expense.
• Testimonials http://www.cushings-help.com/testimonials.htm
Thank you for writing back to me - this website has been a comfort zone for me since I found it.
To Mary, for this board, and to my friends, who have supported me along this whirlwind journey.....thank you. I love you, and you helped me to get here.
just wanted to thank you for all the work you do....And I also wanted to thank you personally for your role in me getting to surgery. I know without you that this would never ever have happened. I couldn't even get an appointment with an endo before I found the boards and all the good information and advice there. It helped empower me to become my own advocate by teaching me about the testing and test results, and I found that I had symptoms I had no idea were related to anything endocrine (such as the flank pain nobody could explain). Then I learned about doctors who would listen and help. Then I found a good surgeon. It even helped me navigate the travel that was necessary to see these doctors. And on top of all of that, I got support and friendship. Thank you, Mary, from the bottom of my heart. You are an angel!
Much love, Mary
Thanks so much for the most fantastic web site!
I've only used the chats and bios for a few months, but the support is such a wonderful blessing for us all - thanks a million!
Thanks again for all that you do, and I will keep you in my prayers.
• Helpful links: http://www.cushings-help.com/links.htm
• Helpful Hints for Dealing with Cushing's: http://www.cushings-help.com/helpful_hints.htm
News Items:
Adrenal:
• From http://www.unionsentinel.com/news/2007/0111/Arts_Leisure/030.html
Your Health Matters
By Claudia Parks, R.N.
Stress occurs when the body does not adjust properly to internal or external stimuli. The body's reaction to highly stressful situations is known as the "fight-or-flight" response. Under these circumstances, quantities of epinephrine (also called adrenaline), a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, are released into the blood. This stimulates the liver to provide the body with stored carbohydrates for extra energy. Other changes include quickened heartbeat and respiration, and increased blood pressure and muscle tension. The body is then prepared for extraordinary physical exertion; if none is forthcoming, this frustrated readiness may cause headache, upset stomach, irritability and a host of other symptoms.
While stress alone probably does not cause illness, it contributes to circumstances in which disease may take hold and flourish. Stress weakens and disturbs the body's defense mechanisms and may play a role in the development of hypertension, gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular disease, flare-ups in arthritis, and, as recent research indicates, possibly cancer.
Juggling the holiday season and the month of January are considered the most stressful times of the year for families. Balancing work and family is difficult enough on a normal day, but add the commotion of commitments and spending more money than is going to be in the bank- causes the adrenaline to flow!
In today's fast-paced, clamoring world, the body may find itself in frequent fight-orflight responses to work pressures, noise pollution, overcrowding, and other stressful situations where direct physical outlets would not be appropriate. Under prolonged stress, the body's adaptive and resistance mechanisms may become exhausted, and hormonal changes may weaken the body's defenses against disease.
Many years ago, Johns Hopkins and the University of Washington conducted research regarding stressful events in patient's lives, assigning differential values to the many relevant categories. In examining a resulting chart, we can see that life events may be
either tragic or joyful; the common denominator among them is change. The more changes an individual undergoes during a given time span, the more points he or she accumulates and the greater the individual's likelihood of having stress, a serious illness or accident. For example, statistics indicate that a person who scores between 150 and 300 points during a particular period runs a 50-50 risk of falling seriously ill within two years. If the score exceeds 300, this likelihood shoots up to 80 percent.
Here are some of the Life Event Ratings:
(1) Death of spouse - 100;
(2) Divorce - 73;
(5) Death of close family member - 63;
(6) Personal injury or illness - 63;
(7) Marriage - 50;
(10) Retirement - 45;
(11) Change in health of family member - 44;
(16) Change in financial state - 38;
(18) Change to different line of work - 36;
(19) Change in number of arguments with spouse - 35;
(20) Mortgage or loan for a major purpose - 31;
(21) Foreclosure of mortgage or loan - 30;
(23) Son or Daughter leaving home - 29;
(24) Trouble with in-laws - 29;
(25) Outstanding personal achievement - 28;
(30) Trouble with boss - 23;
(32) Change in residence - 20;
(35) Change in church activities - 19;
(40) Change in eating habits - 15;
(41) Vacation - 13. You can go online and Google on The Social Readjustment Rating Scale and get the complete list and see how stressed-out you are!?
C O N T R O L L I N G STRESS: One of the most important findings of these studies is that most people can exercise a degree of life-style restraints to control the number of stress-inducing changes. The lesson is not that all change is bad, but that there are
recognizable thresholds beyond which additional change becomes health-threatening.
Other research points toward the benefits of regulating emotional and physiological responses to stressful events; thus many people are learning to counteract life's pressures through breathing exercises, meditation techniques and regular participation in sports (exercise). These relaxation techniques can block the action of epinephrine and norepinephrine, the adrenal hormones directly responsible for stress-induced changes. Try to learn to accept things you can't change. You don't have to solve all of life's problems. Talk out your troubles and look for the good instead of the bad in situations.
Claudia Parks, RN is a former doctor's office and emergency room nurse and retired as an educator from Fulton County Schools. She writes Your Health Matters as a public service; the information here is designed to help you make informed choices about your health. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of your physician. Claudia and her husband make their home in the beautiful north Georgia Mountains. Claudia can be reached at yhm@windstream.net
• From http://www.lufkindailynews.com/hp/content/region/ETtoday/stories/2007/01/12/jan112007DocKelehan.html
Marshall doctor comes home
Kelehan out of hospital
By BRIDGETTE R. OUTTEN
Marshall News Messenger
Thursday, January 11, 2007
MARSHALL — Ribbons of yellow crepe paper tied around trees and handmade signs bid Dr. Shaun Kelehan welcome Wednesday, as the 38-year-old physician returned home after a near-death illness and a month-long hospital stay.
"I feel wonderful," Kelehan said from his home in a phone interview Wednesday evening. "There's no pain whatsoever."
Kelehan said he will begin physical therapy at Marshall LifeCenter and hopes to be back at work in February.
The physician suffered from a condition called pheochromocytoma, characterized by a tumor on his adrenal gland. Overproduction of adrenaline from the gland causes symptoms of severe headaches, anxiety, nervousness, high blood pressure, nausea, sweating and shaking.
Kelehan became ill Dec. 6 and at times, no one was sure if he was going to make it. After a potentially risky surgery — that could have caused the adrenal gland to become even more active — was successful, Kelehan began his recovery.
A Web site that has provided updates of Kelehan's progress since Dec. 8 said "each and every test Shaun has had in the past week has come back perfect.
"The doctors are simply amazed at the progress he's made after what he has been through," the blog on www.carepages.com continued. "Every doctor that has been involved in Shuan's diagnosis, surgery, treatment, and recovery has said that this is a miracle that only God could perform."
And Kelehan had a whole community pulling for him.
"We just love the guy," said Sam Moseley, who said he and his wife Kay are friends of the family. "He's just a great guy and we're so happy that he's coming home."
"Amen, " Kay Moseley added.
The Moseleys, along with City Commissioner Mike McMurry, decorated the Kelehans' home in preparation, with balloons, a large sign that said "Welcome Home" and an accompanying sign that read "Praise the Lord." Another sign in the window said "Heroes" with the names "Shaun" and "Jennie."
"Jennie (Kelehan) has not left his side," Ms. Moseley said of Kelehan's wife.
Kelehan, who was reportedly surrounded by friends and family at his home on Wednesday, said he was grateful for prayers from the Marshall community.
"I just want to thank everybody who prayed for me," he said. "I love everybody...This town has just been such a blessing to me and my family."
Add your Helpful Hints for Dealing with Cushing's to the website and the email Newsletters.
| Newest Bios: | ||
| To add or edit your bio, http://www.cushings-help.com/forms/bio.htm | ||
| Not Yet Diagnosed Patients | ||
| Barb (BarbF) |  Barb says that she has relatively moderate symptoms compared to many but she has weight gain around middle, hump, moon face, facial fuzziness, acne, hypertension, poor blood sugar control, thyroid problems, high cholesterol, body aches and pains, fatigue, muscle weakness. She is going to an endo soon. |
Ohio |
| Judi (Cushie Judi) | Judi was first diagnosed with Cushing’s 1/12/06, An MRI of the pituitary revealed a hypo-enhancing lesion approximately 5 x 4 x 3 mm. A CT of the adrenal glands in July 2006 was read as normal, but a later CT of the abdomen with contrast demonstrated a possible 1.3 cm low-density lesion in the left adrenal gland. If Cushing’s disease is diagnosed via the IPSS, Dr. Russell will schedule transsphenoidal surgery by Dr. Brooke Swearingen at Mass General. Following the transsphenoidal surgery and cure of the Cushing’s, if her hypertension persists, Dr. Russell recommends screening for hyperaldosteronism with a plasma aldosterone level to renin activity ratio. Judi updated her bio and said that MRIs show possible masses in both the pituitary and adrenal glands, we need to rule out the adrenals as the source of the Cushing's. |
Batavia, NY | Pituitary Patients |
| Debbie (dcrosley) | Debbie was diagnosed Feb. 2006 with a pituitary tumor and Cushing's Disease. She had the tumor removed Feb. 23, 2007. |
Danville, IN |
| Diana (dcrosley) | Diana had pituitary surgery. She now has Addison's Disease. |
Cincinnati, OH |
| Jessica (Jessicam) | Jessica finished her nursing program in 2002. She was recently diagnosed with pituitary Cushing's but they have not yet found the tumor. She was scheduled for transphenoidal surgery on Jan 10, 2007 |
Cathedral City / Palm Springs, CA |
| Tricia Francis (Tricia F) | Tricia's pituitary tumor returned in 2004 only this time in an area considered to be inoperable. She had a failed Gamma Knife and IMRT (Intermittent Modulated Radiation Therapy). She is now trying to decide if she wants to redo one of those or have a BLA. |
Mason City, IL |
| Steroid-Induced Patients | ||
| Frank (frank) | Frank had colon cancer in 1989 with a permanent colostomy. He had a course of chemotheraby including 5FU and interferon and six weeks of radiation. He has been given testosterone (injections biweekly) and synthroid but he now has symptoms of Steroid Induced Cushing's. | Greenville, NC |
| To add or edit your bio, http://www.cushings-help.com/forms/bio.htm | ||
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| Newest Helpful Doctors: | ||
| Dr. Roberto Salvatori Associate Professor of Medicine Medical School: Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy Residency: Montefiore Medical Center Fellowship: Cornell University, Johns Hopkins University Board Certification: Endocrinology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine Address: Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Johns Hopkins University, 1830 East Monument Street, Suite 333, Baltimore, MD 21287 Phone: (410) 955-3921 Fax: (410) 955-8172 Email: salvator@jhmi.edu Links |
Research Interests: Control of growth hormone secretion, genetic causes of growth hormone deficiency, consequences of growth hormone deficiency Dr. Salvatori’s primary research interest centers around identifying the genetic causes of isolated growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and the consequences of untreated GHD. He has been studying GHD patients who have never received GH to determine whether they have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, he has created a mouse model of isolated GHD, by removing a gene necessary for the production of GH (GHRH). Recent publications
I found Dr Salvatori to be wonderfully kind, interested and knowledgeable. He listened thoughtfully to my complaints and never suggested that I was simply "fat and depressed". In the first visit, he learned things about my diagnosis that my previous endo had completely missed. ~~MaryO |
Baltimore, MD |
| To add your helpful doctor, http://www.cushings-help.com/forms/doctor.htm | ||
• If you've been diagnosed with Cushing's, please participate in the Cushing's Register
The information you provide will be used to create a register and will be shared with the medical world. It would not be used for other purposes without your expressed permission. Note: This information will not be sold or shared with other companies.
Lynne Clemens, President of CUSH Org is be the person responsible for the creation of this register. You do not have to be a member of CUSH to fill out this questionnaire, as long as you are a Cushing’s patient. We do not believe that the world has an accurate accounting of Cushing’s patients. The only way to authenticate accuracy is with actual numbers. Your help will be appreciated. Thank you.
Fundraising:
The Cushing's Store for all kinds of Cushing's Labeled clothing, US Postage Stamps, Teddy Bears, coffee mugs, totebags and much more. Great for your endo or Secret Someone. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| Remember iGive.com... |
| ... all year round. iGive.com allows online stores to donate a percentage of their profit to running these Cushing's Support sites: the message boards at http://cushings.invisionzone.com/index.php, http://www.cushings-help.com, http://www.cushings-info.com,http://www.cushings-support.com and http://www.cushingsonline.com. See the list of participating merchants 
===> FREE $5 DONATIONS!
<=== Thank you so much for your support. |
Upcoming Conventions, Meetings and Seminars:
• DC Metro Area, TBA More
info as it becomes available.
• MAGIC Foundation (Growth
Hormone) 3rd Adult Educational Convention, February 9 to 11, 2007, Las
Vegas, NV More info here or call 708.383.0808 for
details.
Maps, weather and driving directions
• June 2-5, 2007, ENDO 2007, Toronto, Canada, Metro
Toronto Center. More info as it becomes
available.
• More upcoming local meetings are listed here
Online Chats:
Please join us in the Chat
Room TONIGHT at 9 PM Eastern. Click
to access through the message boards
If you are not yet a member of the message boards,
please use this page: http://cushings.invisionzone.com/chatroom.htm
This room is always open, and has convenient links so that you can get needed information while you're chatting.
I hope to see you tonight!
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