Anna is an artist and writer based in Minnesota. Diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension at the age of 4, she fought for 19 years before receiving a lifesaving heart-lung transplant in 2018. Despite complications following transplant, she was discharged back home eight months later. Anna now manages life with a tracheostomy and relies on supplemental oxygen, but her life remains full of hope and wonder, which she strives to share through her writing. In addition to her role as a columnist for Pulmonary Hypertension News, Anna works as a photo editor, a photographer, and also runs her own art business.The approach of summer always catches me off guard. For about six weeks between May and June, I can’t avoid keeping a packed schedule. Along with several holidays and birthdays, including my own, this period also marks the beginning of my busy season working as a photo editor. In…
When I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in 1999, doctors prepared my parents for the reality I was facing. Just two weeks before my fourth birthday, they were told such words as “progressive” and “terminal.” The doctors set the trajectory of my PH journey before us,…
When I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in 1999, the subject of organ transplant was introduced almost immediately. Doctors explained to my parents that PH was terminal, and that transplant, usually of the heart and lungs, was an option for extending life. For the next 14 years, transplant…
Growing up with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I was fortunate to avoid many situations that required home healthcare. My parents and I used the service a few times, mainly when we needed training for a new medication or when both my mom and…
When living with a chronic illness, countless situations arise that require one to prioritize health above all else. When I was growing up and my friends and peers were expanding their horizons, I often decided to take a back seat to focus on self-preservation. These sacrifices became even more common…
I was listening to a sermon via a podcast the other weekend. During the announcements for the week, my ears perked up as the pastor eagerly discussed an exciting event coming up. It would be a three-day affair. Each day involved walking a portion of the city, stopping at various…
At my most recent post-transplant clinic appointment, my transplant pulmonologist added a new lab to my testing. Prospera, as it’s called, is a way of assessing the risk of active organ rejection in transplant patients. Prospera isn’t new in the world of organ transplantation. It was initially created…
A few years ago, I shared an image on social media of my growing library. I love thrifting books just as much as I love reading them. It’s been a joy to invest in my collection of secondhand books in adulthood. A friend and fellow chronic illness warrior commented…
Most of my memories with pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be summarized with three words: shortness of breath. I was always trying to catch my breath anywhere I went. But over time, as predicted, the shortness of breath began to cause other issues. As my pulmonary pressures worsened, my…
When I was growing up, I noticed that my parents were very specific when identifying my illness. I didn’t just have pulmonary hypertension, I had pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). More specifically, I had idiopathic PAH, meaning that the cause was unknown. For a long time, these…
Recently, the mother of a young transplant recipient reached out to me about my experience with hair loss. She said it was a side effect of the transplant medications and had caught them by surprise. I was quick to pass along my hair journey, which was, and continues…
Over the years, the holidays have held many different meanings for me. While I’ve felt an abundance of joy and tradition associated with these celebrations, my lifelong battle with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and other conditions has added some complicated layers to the equation. Growing up, I had many years…
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