Columns

Starting a New Medication Can Be Overwhelming

“Don’t Google it. Don’t Google it.” This is the internal dialogue I was having as my pulmonologist gave me a new prescription. I was told about the potential benefits and the possible side effects before I left the office. And while I appreciate that there…

Surviving the Holidays

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be stressful for anyone. When living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) or another chronic illness, the holidays can be overwhelming and exhausting. This year was the first time I did not cook a Thanksgiving meal. We went out to eat and then…

Using Public Transport with an Invisible Illness

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, I often need to sit during my commute. Unfortunately, for many people, commuting to work via public transport is a necessary…

Allow Yourself to Feel Peace, Not Panic This Christmas

When I was a child, I wrote in a journal that my favorite part about Christmas was the feeling it created. It’s not just the joy of holiday lights and carols, the peace and awe of midnight Mass, the anticipation and excitement of presents, or the contentment that lingers throughout…

How Was Your November?

We just celebrated Thanksgiving, y’all. Where has the time gone? November was quite busy for me. I wrote in my last column about unexpected health issues with my hubby. Thankfully, he is recovering well and returning back to his usual self. November was also Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month.

I Am Choosing a Better Quality of Life

Last weekend, I woke up with a stabbing pain coming from the site of my jejunal feeding tube. My tube has caused pain and countless infections over the past three months. I’ve been told to “give it time.” I have cried and…

The Healing Power of Laughter

  It is said that laughter is the best medicine. My son’s battle with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and post-transplant struggles made me a believer. However, the humor behind the laughter has often been gross, silly, a bit dark, and sometimes a little off-color. I remember the first time Cullen fell…


A Conversation With Rare Disease Advocates