Columns

During my senior year of high school, mornings were always stressful. I attended a massive school of about 3,000 students. My driving partner and I lived on the edge of our district, so arriving on time was a constant struggle. In an attempt to be in class by 8 a.m.,…

In addition to physical challenges, living with a complex condition like pulmonary hypertension (PH) also means fighting mental and emotional battles. I constantly feel a push and pull between frustration and gratitude. But these are moments that can teach me a lot about myself and the people I love.

My relationship with counseling and mental health has adapted and morphed during the many years I’ve battled chronic illness. When I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in 1999, mental health was discussed far less frequently than it is today. I was also only 4 years…

I’ve written more than once about the support I’ve received from my immediate family throughout my health journey. I’m fortunate to have parents and siblings who are invested in my health and willing to accommodate our family time together, always allowing me to be a fully present participant. Through the…

This time of year can feel heavy as many of us start reflecting on resolutions or goals we haven’t yet fulfilled. Maybe you promised yourself you’d eat a healthier diet or get more sleep, but life had other plans. It happens to the best of us. For those in the…

It’s a beautiful day in the country for what appears to be the beginning of autumn. There are acres of trees, mostly green except for a few that have changed to gold. They’re casting a shadow over a lake, but on the other side sun is glistening on the water…

Are you managing chronic pain alongside pulmonary hypertension (PH)? Did it disrupt your holiday plans? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Many folks in the PH and broader rare disease communities share similar frustrations with having to adjust plans because of unrelenting pain. Dealing with chronic pain…

Many a new year has been greeted with the saying “Out with the old, in with the new.” That is a fair declaration of a calendar flip, but it’s implausible that people will change just as easily on Jan. 1. I’ve often honored New Year’s as if it were the…

Here we are, just a week before Christmas and somehow my brain is still stuck in November. How did that happen? This year has been a whirlwind of activity in terms of managing my pulmonary hypertension (PH) and other health challenges. The past six months have been especially rough…

“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is one of the oldest Christmas carols. The lyrics, which have been altered numerous times to adapt to changes within the English language, are drawn from the Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke. In the 21st century, the common definition of rest is to…

I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 1999, when I was just 4 years old. My parents were obviously responsible for overseeing my healthcare at the time, particularly my mother, who has been intimately involved with my journey since the day of my diagnosis. The parent-child relationship in…

It’s been a rough day. I change into my comfy clothes, pour a cup of tea, prop up my pillows, pull up a cozy blanket, and start to write. Others might open with “Dear Diary,” but I begin with a prayer: “Dear God, please help me …” As I mentioned…