30 Days of PH: Staying Active

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Day 22 of 30 Days of PH⁣ ⁣Topic: Staying active ⁣ ⁣This is Jessica’s story @bones_phighter⁣ ⁣ My name is Jessica. I was born premature and spent the first two years of my life in the hospital. I was tiny, weighing one pound and 7 ounces. Because of my premature birth, I have a rare disease called pulmonary hypertension (PH). I wear oxygen 24/7 at a level of 7 to 8 liters depending on my activity. My lung capacity is at 17% lung function. Pulmonary hypertension is a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and in the heart. Scarred lungs, like mine, make it very difficult to retain oxygen. ⁣ ⁣ My social life is very limited due to the fact that I have this health condition, pulmonary hypertension. My immune system is very weak and I get sick quickly. This is why I limit myself from exposures as much as possible. Most of the time when I get sick with a cold, I end up in the hospital. This can easily lead to bronchitis and pneumonia if not caught early. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣I met Kelly Frederick, at pulmonary rehab. She does in-home personal training. At one point, I was no longer able to get myself to the pulmonary rehab class. This was due to my illness, PH. That is when I called on Kelly Frederick, in-home personal trainer. She offered to come to my home for a 30 minute exercise session. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣Kelly put together a strategic exercise plan. She taught me the proper form, sets, and reps. She also taught me breathing exercises while resting in between sets. ⁣ ⁣ She also encouraged me to exercise on my own two times a week for 30 minutes. Kelly taught me about better eating habits. I agreed to follow through with my new exercise plan and goals to work toward a stronger me!⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #30DaysofPH #exercise

A post shared by Pulmonary Hypertension News (@pulmonaryhypertensionnews) on Nov 22, 2019 at 9:18am PST

Author Details

Jen Cueva

Jen is a columnist and forum moderator for PH News Today. Jen worked in nursing before the script changed upon her diagnosis of PH in 2005. Advocating and meeting those with PH has always been an essential part of her life. Her passion is to instill hope and remind others in the PH community that they are not alone. In her weekly column, she delves into the roller coaster of emotions that come along with PH. Jen lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and mini-schnauzer. Together we PHight stronger.

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2 comments

Jo Ann white says:

November 25, 2019 at 11:42 AM

I am still able to make it to pulmonary rehab alone twice a week and it has been a huge help. Lots of useful tips…plus discovering that 30 minutes of aerobic exercise really reduces leg swelling and makes it easier tob do other things. I now make sure to do 30 minutes on my own exercise bike…which had been unused for years…at least 5 days a week, plus weights and other exercises designed to keep my muscles strong. When I am working at the kitchen table I frequently get up and cook something to keep active. Sure the levels are moderate…1 kB weights and level 1 or 2 on the bike…but it is enough not to lose ground and enable my continuing functioning even on 5-6 lpm oxygen 24/7.

- Jen Cueva says:
  
  November 26, 2019 at 10:05 AM
  
  Thank you for your kind words, JoAnn. I am happy to hear that you are able to go to rehab and also work on some exercise while at home. It does not have to be much, as you mention, but it helps. Please be sure that you are keeping your medical team up to date with your exercise.

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