30 Days of PH: I Have PH And Walked A 5K

by Colleen Steele | November 15, 2020

Day 15 of 30 Days of PH⁣
Topic: I Have PH And Walked A 5K ⁣

This is Aubrey’s story

My Name is Aubrey Stout and I’m 39 years old. I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension on January 10, 2010, when I was a few months shy of turning 29. When I was told I had IPAH I was alone and in utter shock. I had to hurry up and regroup myself in the doctor’s office. I learned an outline of what it was that I had so I could gather my family together that night and tell them about PAH and that there is no cure.

A few days later I had my first ever Right Heart Cath. After complications with the RHC and being put on three medications that have worked great for me, I realized I didn’t want to allow the disease to take control of me and my life. Instead, I wanted to do something to spread awareness about Pulmonary Hypertension.

One of my family members started a page about me and my life with PH, then I ended up taking the blog over. I post facts about PH on it, acknowledge awareness month, and other things. My page consists of family, friends, and others with PH that I’ve met along my journey.

My PH Specialist began his own awareness and started a Right Heart Fight 5k and does them yearly. I have participated in each of them, this year makes five. The first time I participated I only made it about ¼ of the way around and ¾ of the way around my 3rd time. But in the last two, I completed the entire 5k! Yes, I walk them and yes, I am slow but what matters to me is that I try and that I have completed two of them. This year’s 5k is virtual due to Covid but I’m still in it and still have a team and raising money for PHA. Never in my life did I think I could have PH and do a 5k, but I have, and it feels great! It gives me a wonderful feeling and lets me know I have control of my disease; it doesn’t have control of me. My advice to others who have PH is don’t stop living your life. PH shouldn’t control you. Get involved and be your own advocate.

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About the Author

Colleen Steele Colleen Steele was born and raised in New Jersey, and received a bachelor of arts in English from Immaculata University in 1994. She lives in Washington state with her husband and two sons. Her oldest child was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension when he was 8. At 14, he received a heart and double-lung transplant. Colleen’s love for writing, experience advocating for her son, and determination to spread PH awareness inspired her to become a columnist and forums moderator for Pulmonary Hypertension News in 2019. In her column, “Life as a Caregiver,” Colleen is open and honest about caring for her son, his PH experiences, and life post-transplant. It is her ambition to educate and inspire others facing similar challenges.