Columns

While talking with some friends recently, we ended up discussing our college majors. My mom had encouraged me to study literature, writing, or something similar, but after a lifetime of being closely tied to the healthcare system with my pulmonary hypertension, I was determined to pursue a career in…

Hormone replacement therapy is often used to manage symptoms of menopause, but for those of us with conditions like pulmonary hypertension (PH) and congestive heart failure, it’s not so simple. The risks of hormone replacement therapy potentially worsening our fragile cardiovascular and renal systems make it a no-go for…

I’m tired of being lonely, and I’m lonely because I’m tired. The best time to write about this would have been July 11 for Cheer Up the Lonely Day, but that opportunity came and went with my dreams. I surreptitiously fell asleep and missed my deadline. Loneliness and…

We all want to feel a sense of belonging and connection. The tricky part is learning that we can’t force a genuine connection; it has to find us. Real human connection comes with shared dreams or experiences and is often filled with intense emotions. I didn’t find a sense of…

When I got my driver’s license at 16, my parents mentioned that I might benefit from handicapped parking, given my pulmonary hypertension (PH). But despite my poor tolerance for walking distances at the time, I didn’t even entertain the subject. A parking permit — a blue tag that…

Managing pulmonary hypertension (PH) for 20 years has not only shaped my life, but it’s also allowed me to connect deeply with a resilient and inspiring community. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strength of patients and caregivers who come together to support one another, champion awareness, and…

Earth spins at approximately 1,000 miles per hour and orbits the sun at a mind-blowing 67,000 miles per hour. Doesn’t it feel like life on this planet picks up speed each year, as if we’re all trying to live faster than the world can turn? There are places to be,…

As an avid reader who lives with a chronic illness, I’ve always looked for stories to which I could relate. When I was a teenager, I read “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green, which followed the life of a 16-year-old girl with terminal cancer. It was…

You may have noticed that I haven’t been writing much in the past few months. That’s because I recently suffered a fall at home that was unrelated to my pulmonary hypertension (PH). Rather, it happened because of my clumsiness as I tried to tackle my to-do list. The fall…

In my early 20s, I had the opportunity to participate in an interactive photo shoot. The photographer asked her subjects questions about our lives and then captured our emotional responses. There was much laughter and thoughtfulness among our group. During my portion of the session, the photographer asked, “Where do…

Note: This column describes one woman’s experiences with GLP-1 agonist medications. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy. Living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a daily challenge that can strip away independence, mobility, and confidence. But for…

One of the hardest things for me to talk about is the loneliness of chronic illness. The topic can quickly become uncomfortable for me and the person I’m speaking with. Still, it’s been a near constant in my life with pulmonary hypertension (PH), and ignoring it often only amplifies…