Columns

A few years ago, if someone asked me to describe what self-care meant, images of long baths and DIY face masks would have sprung to mind. But since my diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH), my understanding of self-care has changed dramatically. For those with chronic illnesses,…

Why do some people look younger the older they get? Not me! I turned 49 yesterday, but the woman in the mirror looks much older. I recently read an article that compared pictures of U.S. presidents from the year they were sworn in to the year they left the…

Alex Karev, a fictional doctor on the TV series “Grey’s Anatomy,” once said, “Trauma always leaves a scar. … It changes our lives. Trauma messes everybody up, but maybe that’s the point. All the pain and the fear, … maybe going through all of that is what keeps us…

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein After I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I wanted to live my best life. But because of waxing and waning symptoms, I haven’t pushed my boundaries as much. I have…

“Many have credited my husband, Brian, and me as the sturdy trunk supporting our little family tree. But a tree is only as strong as its roots, and ours are as strong as they come. Without the frequent and generous support of our parents, we never could have weathered the…

Did you know that September was Pain Awareness Month? This year, the U.S. Pain Foundation’s awareness campaign focused on encouraging people to develop a personalized pain management plan. With my pulmonary hypertension (PH) and coexisting illnesses, developing my own pain management plan has been somewhat complicated. But I am…

Everyone feels the effects of a bad night’s sleep. But for those with chronic illness, sleepless nights can be debilitating. Since being diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I have found that if I sleep poorly, I struggle to function, which can make surviving a day at…

One-sided relationships are unhealthy, so why have one with your doctor? It’s important for both patient and doctor to be committed to establishing an open, honest, and respectful rapport. From pediatric care to adult care, I have guided and encouraged my own son to initiate healthy bonds with his medical…

I can’t count the number of times I’ve heard U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt’s assertion that “comparison is the thief of joy.” Although I’ve tried to apply its lesson to my everyday life, on some days, I find myself trapped in a cycle of comparisons.

A while back, I posted in the PH News Forums about my fear of judgment. I wrote about living with PH and feeling like I am being judged. At times, I feel like a reality star. I picture the TMZ crew and paparazzi following me around. In reality, I…

When my son Cullen was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), my husband and I would have gone to the ends of the earth to help him fight it. When asked if we would be willing to drive from our home in Washington state to California to seek care and treatment…

After 15 years with a rare and chronic illness, I have learned much about navigating life and chronic disease. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is complex and challenging to predict. If you are like me, lacking control over your day is frustrating and anxiety-inducing. But despite those unpredictable days, we…