30 Days of PH: I Am Capable of So Much More Than I Thought

Photo courtesy of Sara Eldaly

Day 28 of 30

This is Sara Eldaly’s story:

Suffering from a chronic illness is an undefined feeling. I was only 24 years old at my diagnosis, newly married, and extremely excited about my upcoming life and plans. I then found myself fainting in the bathroom and woke up in the ICU, where the doctors told me I had severe idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

I googled the disease and found there was no cure, but rough treatments to keep me barely living. Adding to all of that, I had no history of medical issues. Why was this happening to me?

I was devastated. I couldn’t breathe or sleep, and for six months, I was showing very little progress.

Yet, the thing that ached my heart the most was seeing my family and my husband sad. I was so tired and felt like a huge burden on them. I felt like I was losing my soul. I was always depressed, knowing that I couldn’t have kids of my own; and I was constantly tired wherever I went. I’d have to explain to people why I always looked tired and down. I cried almost every single night as I felt a huge hole in my chest.

However, I can’t be more thankful for having the most amazing parents, siblings, and husband anyone could ever wish for. I started dealing with the disease and learned how to live with it. Now, I always listen to my body, knowing when to rest and what my limitations are.

Despite the challenges I face, living with this disease has shown me that I’m capable of so much more than I thought.

Pulmonary Hypertension News’ 30 Days of PH campaign is publishing one story per day from someone who has been affected by the disease for PH Awareness Month in November. Read the full series for more stories like this, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtag #30DaysofPH.