30 Days of PH: Staying Active

Written by Jen Cueva |

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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

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Jen Cueva avatar Jen Cueva

About the Author

Jen Cueva lives in sunny San Diego, California, with her husband and daughter. A former nurse, her life took an unexpected turn in 2005 when she was diagnosed with group 1 pulmonary hypertension (PH). That experience reshaped her purpose, transforming her journey into one of advocacy, connection, and hope. As Manager of Partnership Relations on the Bionews Advocacy team, Jen collaborates with rare disease communities to build bridges and strengthen support systems for patients and caregivers. She also serves as a forum moderator for *Pulmonary Hypertension News*, where she writes a biweekly column exploring the emotional landscape of living with PH, from resilience and gratitude to the quiet power of community. Whether she’s sharing stories that uplift or offering words that remind others they’re not alone, Jen finds meaning in helping people feel informed, empowered, and seen. When she’s not writing or advocating, you’ll likely find her at the beach, on a coffee date, or simply enjoying the laid-back San Diego sunshine. Together, we PHight stronger.

Tags

Coping methods Daily living Exercise Pulmonary arterial hypertension Quality of life


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