BNS Staff, writers and editors —

Photo courtesy of Nitya Gupta Day 19 of 30 This is Nitya Gupta’s story: Hi, I am Nitya Gupta, a 30-year-old from New Delhi, India, living with pulmonary hypertension (PH), secondary to thalassemia. My life has never been a smooth ride because I have thalassemia major (a severe…

Photo courtesy of Charlita Hayward Day 18 of 30 This is Charlita Hayward’s (@haywardcharlita) story: I am a 33-year-old mother of two sons, 11 and 9, and am engaged. I live in Bermuda, and have idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). I was diagnosed in August 2020 after…

Photo courtesy of Kathy Groebner Day 17 of 30 This is Kathy Groebner’s (@momma_g4) story: In 2008, after five years of searching for a diagnosis, I was told that my daughter, Katie Grace, had pulmonary hypertension (PH). I’d thought all along that it was her heart, but…

Photo courtesy of Roger Bliss Day 16 of 30 This is Roger Bliss’s story: When I was getting short of breath several years ago, I thought it was just from being out of shape and older. I am 68 now. At first, I was treated for COPD. I…

Photo courtesy of Lauren Janzen Day 15 of 30 This is Lauren Janzen’s (@supa_yoopa) story: Hi, my name is Lauren. I’ve been a member of the pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) community for nearly 12 years. I was diagnosed after fainting at a high-intensity exercise class in January…

Photo courtesy of Sheila Ranftl Day 14 of 30 This is Tatiana Ranftl’s (@silvermami0531) story: After Christmas 2020, my condition had become terminal. My parents and I were told that I’d reached the end of the line. I fell apart hearing the words “heart failure.” I’d always been…

Photo courtesy of Susi Steppins Day 13 of 30 This is Susi Steppins’ story: Hello. My name is Susi Steppins. I knew something was wrong for a long time before I received my diagnosis. In fact, I’d felt for years that something was off. I would have bad…

Photo courtesy of Irene Chipounov Day 12 of 30 This is Irene Chipounov’s (@irinachipounov) story: Our 8-year-old daughter, Karina, was born with a right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). She spent the first six months of her life in the NICU at Rady’s Children’s Hospital in San Diego,…

Photo courtesy of Kayla Marie Day 11 of 30 This is Kayla Marie’s (@itskayyyla) story: My name is Kayla. I’m 26 with a 4-year-old daughter, and I’m about to get married this December. I was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by a heart cath on…

Photo courtesy of Lisa Chapman Day 10 of 30 This is Lisa Chapman’s (@Lisa_Chizzapman) story: My name is Lisa Chapman, and I am a “PHighter.” I have been sick since May 11, 2019. I have been my own biggest advocate since then — with no other choice but…

Photo courtesy of Roxanne Giustini Day 9 of 30 This is Roxanne Giustini’s (@steelergirlrock) story: I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) in January 2016. This was not my first experience with a strange new disease. In 2002, after a year of terrible symptoms and…

Photo courtesy of Zyana Perez Day 8 of 30 This is Zyana Perez’s (@zyanaperez) story: For years, our family of three wanted to expand to four. We never could decide the “right time” to have a new baby. Between moving, finishing college, and many other things, we figured…