Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird

March 23, 2020March 20, 2020

Staying Well (and Sane) During Coronavirus Self-isolation

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

I received a call a couple of days ago from my pulmonary hypertension (PH) specialist center telling me that I am a high-risk patient and need to self-isolate. I’d ... Read more

March 9, 2020March 5, 2020

Disruptive Side Effects Are a Daily Battle

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

I have been living with pulmonary hypertension for more than two years. When I was first diagnosed, doctors thought I was a nitric oxide responder. They told me that ... Read more

December 9, 2019January 8, 2020

Using Public Transport with an Invisible Illness

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

If you have a health condition, using public transport can be tricky. Personally, standing for long periods of time can be tiring. My legs ache, and as a result, ... Read more

November 11, 2019November 13, 2019

Opening Up About My Diagnosis

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

One of the hardest parts for me about having a serious chronic illness is telling people about my condition. I’m always worried that they will look at me differently. ... Read more

October 28, 2019October 24, 2019

I’m Grateful I’ve Overcome My Fear of Hospitals

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

I have little sympathy for those who exclaim that they don’t like hospitals — no one does! But for many of us, they are an unavoidable part of life. ... Read more

October 14, 2019October 10, 2019

Crafting New Dreams for My Life

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

This is probably the hardest column I’ve written to date. It’s about how I deal with thinking about the future. I have been a planner my entire life. Whether ... Read more

October 7, 2019October 7, 2019

Adjusting My Diet for Health Benefits While Avoiding a Guilty Mindset

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

In last week’s column, I wrote about the challenges of making time for rest. This week, I want to address another significant lifestyle adjustment I’ve made since my diagnosis: ... Read more

September 30, 2019October 2, 2019

Rest and PH: When My Body Talks, I Listen

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

When a person is diagnosed with a serious condition like pulmonary hypertension (PH), they must alter their lifestyle. One of my biggest challenges has been learning to take it ... Read more

September 23, 2019September 25, 2019

Going After Your Dream Job When You Have a Chronic Illness

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

Holding down a job when you have a chronic illness can be really tricky. First, there’s the time you’ll need off for appointments. Secondly, there’s the fact that you’ll ... Read more

September 16, 2019September 18, 2019

Exercise and PH: Becoming Active Again After Diagnosis

Chronically Uncool – a Column by Ellie Bird, Columns

After I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I was so scared of doing any further damage to my heart that I stopped exercising altogether. I even gave up ... Read more