Columns

When I was younger, I had recurring nightmares about a kidnapping. Usually, I was the hero chasing the kidnapper. These nightmares would spark panic attacks when, in my waking hours, I couldn’t quickly locate my sisters in public places. I had an irrational fear of…

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 was good because it meant there were more medications that could potentially help me. I was put on…

Many of us have a tendency to judge ourselves and others based on our accomplishments. A quick scroll through social media proves this point. We are inundated with the presumed successes of others, based on education, career, or extracurricular activities. The pressure of doing well in life can have a…

I remember attending a Tim McGraw concert a few years ago. I could have heard a pin drop during a pause in his song, “Live Like You Were Dying,” before the entire stadium erupted to join in the chorus: “Skydiving / I went Rocky mountain climbing /…

Life is hectic, wouldn’t you agree? Some days I find myself overwhelmed from living with pulmonary hypertension and other coexisting medical issues. More days than not, I am inundated with emotions. But anyone living in today’s busy world can feel this way, too. We are often told how to…

Risk is an essential part of living and as diverse as the humans who partake in it every day. So, saying I’m not a risk-taker is like claiming I don’t need air to breathe. Living is a precarious journey through success and failures. As babies, we are young explorers crawling…

This month, Bionews Services, the parent company of Pulmonary Hypertension News, is focusing on promoting Rare Disease Day with increased advocacy efforts. Several activities are planned worldwide, and I challenge you to locate an event near you. Rare Disease Day is the last day of February, and this…

Sometimes I think my emotions are too much to handle. I find myself wondering if I am overreacting or feeling things too strongly. However, chronic illness has taught me that I need to feel my emotions. I can’t bottle them up, hide…

Year-round, the parent company of this website, Bionews Services, strives to provide pertinent and updated information about complex, rare diseases. Staying current with medical research is a key component of effective self-advocacy, but personal experience is also a gold mine of valuable information and inspiration. Bionews recognizes this by…

For most of my life, my illnesses were invisible. I could walk into a public place and not expect sideways glances or stares. I didn’t feel like a fish out of water. The only difference between my friends and me was the scar down the middle of my…

Recently, it seems that all we hear about is the coronavirus. Between that and the cold or flu that many are dealing with, I must take preventive measures. But how many measures can I take while still living a somewhat normal life? I’ve noticed that others tend to go…

National Donor Day in the U.S. was on Feb. 14. However, every day when I look at my son, I feel inspired to raise awareness about the lifesaving benefits of organ, eye, and tissue donation. And what better way to spread awareness is there than sharing Cullen’s transplant story?…