Several factors caused me to develop anxiety. They include the trauma of surgeries for my congenital heart conditions that contributed to pulmonary hypertension, the fear of not knowing what was coming next, and failing to trust those who I should have depended on for protection.
Did you know that I have a new appreciation for street corners? I remember when I would attempt to cross the street as a red No. 2 flashed into a blinking hand, and my foot would touch down on the opposite curb just as a car flew by.
This podcast series, created and produced by phaware, is being offered as a regular guest feature on Pulmonary Hypertension News to bring the voices and life experiences of PH patients, family members, caregivers, healthcare specialists, and others to our readers. You may listen to the podcast directly, or read it…
I bought into the whole, “invisible illness/disability” thing until my condition became visible, but even less recognizable. Outside the clinical environment, few people guess that I am wearing a mask because I recently had a transplant. More common assumptions are that I have allergies,…
This podcast series, created and produced by phaware, is being offered as a regular guest feature on Pulmonary Hypertension News to bring the voices and life experiences of PH patients, family members, caregivers, healthcare specialists, and others to our readers. You may listen to the podcast directly, or read it…
The cost to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is often exceedingly high, costing more than $200,000 annually. Rare disease markets are much smaller than the typical drug market, meaning the cost of treatments for rare diseases, such as PAH, are priced higher than treatments…
Some people may think posting pictures in a hospital is a cry for attention. They may think that talking about my illness gets repetitive. How many times do I have to tell the world of social media about pulmonary hypertension? Some think…
This podcast series, created and produced by phaware, is being offered as a regular guest feature on Pulmonary Hypertension News to bring the voices and life experiences of PH patients, family members, caregivers, healthcare specialists, and others to our readers. You may listen to the podcast directly, or read it…
As the seasons change and we inch closer to Halloween, I have found myself reading the works of the great gothic writer Edgar Allan Poe, and am captivated by “The Tell-Tale Heart.” His story is about a man who does his best to convince the police, himself,…
Knowing my capacity for adaptation, I always struggle to answer when doctors ask, “How do you feel today, compared to how you felt a year ago?” My answer tends to be, well, “Pretty much the same,” every time. As irritating and painful as they can…
It can be challenging to find an exercise routine when living with pulmonary hypertension (PH). This is partly because each individual with PH is unique, and the disease impacts everyone differently. Some individuals living with PH may still be able to be quite active, while others…
It’s no surprise that our bodies and our minds are connected. With PH, we live in bodies that are tired almost constantly. We are nauseous, light-headed, have headaches, and are short of breath almost every single day. We deal with aches and pains that…
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