30 Days of PH: Challenges in Mexico

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by Jen Cueva |

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Day 25 of 30 Days of PH⁣ Topic: Challenges in Mexico⁣ ⁣ This is Adriana’s story @adriana_p⁣ ⁣ I’m Adriana Posada Avalos, I am 55 years old. I’m a daughter, sister, and friend of great friends. I'm a mother of 2 daughters, whom I deeply love.⁣ ⁣ In 2005 I was diagnosed with IPAH-Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, just 3 months after I had the first symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, and fainting. Because I was diagnosed early, this helps me to be a long- term patient now.⁣ ⁣ I was lucky to be accepted at one of the best specialty hospitals in Cardiopulmonary. They offered me little hope of life, but in my mind, the word death was never engraved.⁣ ⁣ The disease threw me into bed. I not only took care of my body but also my mind and soul. It took me months to learn to relax, to leave stress. and love me, with this new life including this disease, IPAH.⁣ ⁣ After 15 years, I’m still standing after atrial septostomy and switch of Sildenafil to Riociguat. I ́ve realized through my friendships with many PHriends there isn't ́t a big difference between them and me with concerns about how can we be treated. The main difference between Mexico and the US is that in the US they have IV or SubQ meds. Although this comes with a high cost to them. Also, they have the opportunity of double lung and heart transplant. Nevertheless, in my country, only 2 surgeries are available, atrial septostomy and thromboendarterectomy, which can be used as treatments or cure in some cases.⁣ ⁣ In Mexico, only rich people have access to all treatments. Rich people have everything they need. Others, like myself, have to PHight struggling and waiting for medicines with our current president. ⁣ ⁣ I’m not this disease! I’m Adriana Posada, a person grateful every day of life. Because of adversity, I ́ve become a resilient person. In every moment of darkness, I ́ve found light and learned the ways to come out of it!⁣ ⁣ I live easier in pain thinking that I am my own hero. This comes along with the strength to carry on and my cast my fears aside while knowing I can survive. Who knows what miracles I can achieve when I believe, somehow I’ve found when I believe I can do it!⁣

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About the Author

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Jen Cueva Jen Cueva lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and mini schnauzer, Zoe. Jen worked in nursing before the script changed upon her diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH), group 1, in 2005. Advocacy has been essential to her life. Her passion is to instill hope and remind others in the PH community that they are not alone. To do this, she serves as a forum moderator for Pulmonary Hypertension News and in her weekly column she delves into the roller coaster of emotions that accompany PH. It is powerful and meaningful to her to have this opportunity to play a role in helping others become more informed and educated so they are more empowered in their journey. Together, we PHight stronger!

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30DaysofPH, awareness, healthcare in Mexico

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