Author Archives: Serena Lawrence

When I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, I learned that it was a rare disease. I had never heard of pulmonary hypertension before my diagnosis, and I learned that none of the people in my life knew about the disease either. For those who might want, or need, to…

When you are first diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, it can be difficult to find resources for online support. It can be hard to know where to look for support, or where to even begin. As someone who has benefited from the online pulmonary hypertension support community, I wanted to…

I have really struggled coming to terms with my diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. The first year was especially difficult. I felt frustrated that I had a lung disease when I had never smoked in my life and did everything “right” growing up. It didn’t seem fair. I felt…

Staring Down the Barrel On March 24, 2016 the Canadian band called The Tragically Hip announced that their lead singer, Gord Downie had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Shortly after, The Tragically Hip announced that they would be going on a summer tour. Although I…

A right-heart catheter is considered the gold standard when it comes to properly diagnosing pulmonary hypertension. I was diagnosed on Dec. 21, 2013, and was told that I would need a RHC to get more accurate results of my pulmonary pressures. My doctor told me to go home…

I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension on the cusp of my adult life gaining its sea legs. After working a lot of crummy jobs while a university student, I had landed my first adult job with good pay and even better benefits. This was no small feat, because I went to…

1. It is OK to get a second opinion… … or a third or fourth. I am currently in the process of finding my third pulmonary hypertension specialist. It took me over a year after my diagnosis to realize that I could get a second opinion. Because pulmonary hypertension is a…

I found that after I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension, I received a bunch of off-brand advice. I realize the majority of what I heard from others was an attempt to make the situation better. Unfortunately, some of the words I received at times have been hurtful despite the…

Many people living with Pulmonary Hypertension are on a no- to low-sodium diet. But trying to keep to such a diet can be very challenging, and create obstacles for dining with friends, even for preparing your own meals. People with PH are advised to maintain a low-sodium diet because salt can cause…

I’ve spoken previously about the day that I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. There are a few moments that stick out from that day that will probably stay engraved in my mind for eternity. When I was first diagnosed, the doctor promptly gave me a life expectancy. It couldn’t…

Do you know what the Spoon Theory is? Have any of your friends called themselves a Spoonie? I didn’t know what the Spoon Theory was until a few months after I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. I found out that I was Spoonie after reading more about the theory. If…

In pulmonary hypertension expert and blogger Serena Lawrence’s first post for Pulmonary Hypertension News, she introduces herself and begins to explore the themes of her new blog column, “Life With PH.” Every pulmonary hypertension patient’s story is unique, but Serena’s column seeks to share stories and perspectives that unite the PH…