30 Days Of PH: PTE Surgery

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by Jen Cueva |

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Day 16 of 30 Days of PH⠀ Topic: PTE surgery ⠀ ⠀ This is Bonnie’s story.⠀ ⠀ My journey with PH began in March of 2004 when I had blood clots in my lungs, twice! I had experienced this 4 years before, too. With a routine visit with my doctor, I was told, the damage was bad, I would need a heart/lung transplant. I was referred to a cardiology specialist in Reno.⠀ ⠀ After examination, the doctor left the room for what seemed like an eternity. When he returned he told me I had PH. I was a possible candidate for a new surgery that he heard about at a recent conference. That new surgery was called PTE surgery, he referred me to UCSD.⠀ ⠀ When I arrived there I went through a series of tests. I was told that I was a good candidate for the surgery. Without the surgery, I had about 6 months to live. My pulmonary pressures then were around 125! After talking with the family and medical team, I elected to have the PTE surgery. It wasn’t easy, but so happy I did it.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ I was in the hospital for 21 days. It repaired the large vessels in my lungs, but not the small ones. I am still on oxygen 24/7. I also take lots of meds including Adempas and Opsumit. I am happy that I don’t have to go to doctor visits weekly, usually, it is every 4 months now. I live a fairly active life. I just have to pace myself, which I often forget. ⠀ ⠀ As of August, I have lived 15 more years than I was supposed to. My pulmonary pressure is consistently near 50. PTE surgery enabled me to see my kids graduate from high school and see them both get married. I also now enjoy my 4 grandbabies, 3 boys, and a girl. I was actually in the room when my granddaughter was born.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ I love to garden, one of my hobbies is to can the vegetables we grow in the garden and trees. God left me here for a reason. I don't ask why. I just enjoy it every day. I try very hard to keep a great attitude. You can't just give up. My life has meaning, a purpose and I look forward to many more years of it. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Enjoy life, remember " today’s research could be tomorrow's cure". ⠀ ⠀ #30daysofPH #PTE

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About the Author

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Jen Cueva Jen Cueva lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and daughter. 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, PTE surgery

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