Jen is a columnist and forum moderator for Pulmonary Hypertension News Today. Jen worked in nursing before the script changed upon her diagnosis of PH in 2005. Advocating and meeting those with PH has always been an essential part of her life. Her passion is to instill hope and remind others in the PH community that they are not alone.
In her weekly column, she delves into the roller coaster of emotions that come along with PH. Having this opportunity to play a role in helping others become more informed and educated so they are more empowered in their journey is meaningful and powerful for her. Jen lives in Southern California with her husband. Together, we PHight stronger.
Throughout my 18-year journey with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I’ve unfortunately had many experiences where doctors have brushed off my symptoms. I was once admitted to an intensive care unit where healthcare providers dismissed my hyponatremia, or low sodium levels, assuming it was simply a side effect…
All people encounter daily concerns and stresses that affect their mental well-being. Although commonplace stressors are inevitable, they can become overwhelming and lead to emotional upheaval when not managed well. The pulmonary hypertension (PH) community faces these everyday worries, plus the added stress that a rare disease brings.
Cooking has always been an enjoyable pastime for me. I believe the satisfaction of nourishing others stems from my Southern heritage. My late grandmother, Mawmaw, as we called her, passed down her buttermilk biscuit recipe to me. Reflecting on this evokes a craving for one, reminding me of the joy…
The spacious wooden table, covered with vibrant sprinkles and pieces of sugar cookies, holds cherished memories of years ago. Our three daughters were gathered around it, the youngest seated in her high chair, all filled with excitement while making cookies and decorating Easter eggs. These festive moments were customary with…
​​”She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.” — lawyer and cancer patient Elizabeth Edwards, from her memoir “Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life’s Adversities” Almost three years later, I still haven’t recovered to…
A recent article by Pulmonary Hypertension News reports on a questionnaire-based study in the U.K. indicating that anxiety and depression are likely linked to less self-compassion by pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients and their caregivers. Studies have also shown that depression and anxiety are alarmingly high…
A cold or the flu comes with challenges, especially for pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients. Because we cannot take decongestants, which cause the pulmonary arteries to narrow, we must largely rely on our body’s natural defense mechanisms. But this can be difficult, as we may already be dealing with…
“Your future is created by what you do today, not tomorrow.” — author Robert T. Kiyosaki Life with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is messy and unpredictable most days. Because there’s no cure yet, we in the PH community must learn to live in the now. Tomorrow isn’t promised…
The world is full of opinions, personalities, and attitudes. On my first day of nursing school, our dean told us to treat others as we’d treat our family or loved ones. How would we want nurses to treat them? This stuck with me, as I’ve tried to deal with others…
A rare disease like pulmonary hypertension (PH) is challenging enough to manage. Add other coexisting conditions and it gets even more complicated. I have several coexisting conditions, but my stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the most difficult to manage alongside my PH. I must be organized…
“I often wished that more people understood the invisible side of things. Even the people who seemed to understand, didn’t really.” ― co-author Jennifer Starzec, “Determination” Having pulmonary hypertension (PH) can be incredibly isolating. Because the disease is rare, finding others who understand and can relate…
Life with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is overwhelming and exhausting at times. We patients often find ourselves sitting in doctors’ offices, calling about insurance claims, and checking on medication refills. This can be difficult when conversations seem almost always centered on treatments, test results, and the latest PH research.
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