Posts by: Serena

Serena

Serena Lawrence is a freelance writer and editor who graduated from university with an honours degree in Fine Arts in 2012. Shortly after graduation she was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Following her diagnosis Serena began writing short personal essays about her experience as a young adult living with PH. Serena enjoys little adventures, a good cup of tea, and her Boston Terrier named Sammy.

June 26, 2018July 12, 2018

My Experience with a Post-PH Depression Diagnosis

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

I’ve been living with depression nearly my entire life. I remember starting to struggle with overwhelming feelings of sadness and fear around the age of 5. My symptoms started ... Read more

June 5, 2018May 31, 2018

I Was Rejected From a PH Stem Cell Trial

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

I recently had a checkup with my PH specialist. At my previous appointment, he had told me that he would soon be recruiting PH patients to take part in ... Read more

May 29, 2018May 24, 2018

Chronic Illness Can Cause Severe Trauma

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

I still vividly remember the day I was hospitalized and kept overnight to be picked and probed like a lab rat. A medical team ran dozens of tests to ... Read more

May 15, 2018May 14, 2018

So, How Are Your 30s Going?

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

The older I get, the more I relate on a spiritual level to Mike the Situation from “Jersey Shore” trying to force his head through a concrete wall in ... Read more

May 8, 2018May 7, 2018

Honoring Wonderful Women in My Life This Mother’s Day

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching on May 13, I’m trying to figure out this wound I left open over the years. Like many other young adult women with PH, ... Read more

January 23, 2018January 22, 2018

The Beauty of an Expired Driver’s Permit

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

My beginner’s driving permit expired this summer. Even though it is no longer valid, I still carry it around with me in my wallet. It serves as a sort ... Read more

January 9, 2018January 8, 2018

Online Dating and Intimate Disclosures

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

I found myself on Tinder a few weeks ago, after swearing to my friends and family that I would never date again. Truthfully, I felt like I made an ... Read more

January 2, 2018January 2, 2018

The Importance of Friendship

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

Unfortunately, it often takes a tragedy to find out who your real friends are. And, although living with PH sucks, it is a really good obstacle for weeding out ... Read more

December 19, 2017December 18, 2017

Breaking Points

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

This week marks four years since my life changed forever. On Dec. 21, 2013, I was officially diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. My doctor told me I had ... Read more

December 5, 2017December 5, 2017

PH Profiles: Janeris

Columns, Life With PH -- A Column By Serena Lawrence

November was Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Awareness Month. In honor of PH Awareness Month, I shared several patient profiles about special members of the PH community. Although it is December, I have one ... Read more

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