To My Fiancé: Thank You for Choosing Me
“I don’t have a choice, but he does. He doesn’t have to choose this type of life.” I said this to my mom with tears in my eyes just before my bypass surgery four years ago. At the time, I had been in a…
Columns
Dealing with Post-holiday Fatigue and Sleep Issues
If you are like me, trying to balance life with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and coexisting illnesses is a full-time job. Add in the busy holiday season, and despite careful planning, I am left with a general feeling of malaise and lethargy. Though I don’t host any holiday celebrations at…
Honoring the Nurses Who Have Taken Care of My Son During His PH Journey
I recently read that the World Health Organization has declared 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife. In honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, I hope you feel inspired to unite with people around the globe by celebrating, thanking, and supporting nurses.
Looking Back, I Notice Many Positive Things That Happened in 2019
Happy New Year, y’all. Do you remember the old saying, “As we get older, the years fly by”? For some reason, 2019 did exactly that. A new year creates the opportunity to reflect on the past and prepare for the future. As I ponder, I think about the positives and…
In 2019, I Learned to Feel My Emotions and Pain
I have spent the majority of my 28 years suppressing my emotions. I had this idea that strength meant not letting my true feelings show. I fooled a lot of people with my smile and the way I seemed to handle life’s stressors with ease.
My Dietitian Daughter Shares Her Nutritional Advice for Those with PH
Maintaining a healthy diet while living with pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be complicated. When you’re already dealing with exhaustion, cooking is the last thing you want to think about. If you are living with other coexisting diseases, it becomes even more challenging. Nourishing your body is an issue due to…
Performing Acts of Kindness During the Season of Goodwill and Beyond
In my previous column, I encouraged those who are celebrating Christmas to gift themselves with the feeling of peace this holiday season. However, you don’t have to be a Christian to welcome peace into your life, and everyone can practice goodwill. If you are living with pulmonary hypertension (PH),…
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.
