Carolyn Revell's Fundraising Page

Pre Cushings Disease

Medical photo taken for Cushings Disease diagnosis

Post-op neuro surgery @ Auckland Hospital

In remission from Cushings Disease (and post children)

After marrying in 1999 at the age of 23 I began suffering from a rare illness called Cushings Disease. Because many of the symptoms Cushings Disease causes can be explained by less sinister causes, this was wrongly diagnosed until late 2002.

Cushings Disease is a debilitating hormone disorder characterised by excessive cortisol levels in the blood. In my case this resulted from a benign tumour on my pituitary gland (at the base of the brain). It is very rare.

Most sufferers (Cushies as we call ourselves) have severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Irritability, anxiety and depression with wide mood swings are common.

Symptoms vary, but most people have upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, and thinning arms and legs. Skin becomes fragile and thin, bruises easily and heals poorly. Bones are weakened and routine activities such as bending, lifting or rising from a chair may lead to back aches, rib and spinal column fractures.

The most frustrating aspect for me was proving to doctors and society as an overweight person, that the problems crippling my body were beyond my control and not my fault. Doctors concluded my symptoms were because of the extra weight, instead of seeing that my weight was not normal but instead a symptom too. Blame was given to me when I was told that my weight, which had doubled in 18 months, was naughty.

My tumour was removed at Auckland Hospital in 2003. Had I not been correctly diagnosed and had Neuro Surgery, I would have lived for a maximum of eight years. During this time I would have progressively weakened (I already couldn’t rise out of a chair or walk up stairs unaided), lost my eye sight (because the tumour was beginning to press on my optic nerve), and clinical depression would have turned into clinical insanity. It would have been a miserable existence and undoubtedly as my muscles wasted my heart would have stopped by my 34th birthday.

This November, not long before I celebrate my now hopeful 34th birthday, to celebrate health and life I have signed up to walk the Auckland Half Marathon. I have been working hard on my fitness and still have weight to lose, but with a training schedule and the support of my gym team (at Configure eXpress in Albany), I will make my goal.

And, so this event can be more than for personal achievement alone, I have signed on to be a Heart Racer to raise money to support the Heart Foundation.

Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease. That is one person every 90 minutes. And many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

By donating through my webpage you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

I will do all the hard work (train for and complete the event), but I really need you to make a difference to the hearts of New Zealanders.

Here is my personal challenge to anyone reading my story. If you have ever misjudged an obese person (who are at increased risk of heart disease), join me in my fight to educate society that not all obesity is caused by gluttony and laziness. If you have experienced the tragedy of heart disease personally or amongst your family and friends, please help me to support the NZ Heart Foundation.

Select the "Make a donation" button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation's bank account.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.

So please help me to help the Heart Foundation today! And pass it on to your family and friends!

Many thanks for your support, Carolyn