30 Days of PH

In recognition of PH awareness month, PH News has reached out to patients, caregivers, medical professionals and many others, to share their stories and unique perspective on PH and how it has impacted their lives. We will be sharing these stories daily though the entire month of November.

30 Days of PH: Taking Back Control of My Life Has Empowered Me

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…

30 Days of PH: I Carry On, Looking Fabulous With an IV Pump

Photo courtesy of Lauryn Durham Day 7 of 30 This is Lauryn Durham’s (@_misslauryn) story: In the words of Beyonce in her song “Feeling Myself,” my world both literally and figuratively stopped, but I have continued to carry on. I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension…

30 Days of PH: I Slowly Began to Accept My New Normal

Photo courtesy of Terra Carter Day 6 of 30 This is Terra Carter’s (@Realslimmshadey) story: My twin sister was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) more than 10 years ago. I was tested and showed no signs of having it. I lived a normal life, exercising,…

30 Days of PH: Be Your Own Best Advocate

Photo courtesy of Katie Sample Day 5 of 30 This is Katie Sample’s (@katiecomansample) story: My story begins with my husband, Bruce, who was a cancer survivor. Bruce unexpectedly passed away on April 13, 2018. We had been together for nearly 10 years. We were both attorneys (I…

30 Days of PH: What It’s Like to Have PH in Australia

Photo courtesy of Terry Meehan   Day 4 of 30 This is Terry Meehan’s story: Australia has a population of around 34 million kangaroos, 30 million drop bears, 26 million humans, 1.4 million wild horses and camels, and around 250,000 crocodiles. Nah, I exaggerated the number of drop bears…

30 Days of PH: Nothing Will Stop Me From Pursuing My Dreams

Photo courtesy of Aya Hashiguchi Clark Day 3 of 30 This is Aya Hashiguchi Clark’s (@dukesbay_productions) story: Voice of the stage manager: “Places!” Lights dim on the audience. Lights up on the stage. The play begins. This was a big part of my life before I became a…

30 Days of PH: Trust Your Gut and Do Your Research

Photo courtesy of Carol Volckmann Day 1 of 30 This is Carol Volckmann’s story: Trusting your gut, which is crucial with any disease, is more than just being your own advocate. I have learned how important it is to not only trust your instincts, but to do your research.