Day 5 of the Cushing's Awareness Challenge: Hoofbeats and Zebras

Medical schools often teach doctors, "When you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras", a form of Occam's Razor.  This concept fails Cushing's patients more often than not.  We are zebras.  Most doctors see horses.

Cushing's patients are zebras in so many ways.  My pretty little zebra is a reminder of those who suffer from this zebra disease.  More than that, it is a symbol of our commonality, support for each other, and friendship.

Phil, who has Cushing's, and his wife, Rachel, made a very large, loving detour to meet me for dinner while on a trip from New Jersey.  They brought me a stuffed zebra.  Rachel has fought her own battle with another terrible disease.  Phil and I have a bond from our common journey.  So do so many of us who suffer from this disease and/or it's after-effects.  This zebra symbolizes that bond and the love so many of us have come to share.  So, with the bad comes the good.  And I sure can appreciate the goodness.