In life, we often try to control things by trying to predict the future. But no matter how hard we try, we are not in control. There is only one person in charge: God. Living with a rare disease like pulmonary hypertension (PH), I relinquish that control more often…
Worth the PHight - a Column by Jen Cueva
If you have found yourself standing in a warm shower as tears stream down your face, you are not alone. It is no secret that living with a rare disease like pulmonary hypertension affects one’s mental health. Although I have touched on this topic before, I want to devote this…
When you hear May 5, do you smell warm chips and salsa? Or taste a tangy margarita? Most of us probably think about Cinco de Mayo. No judgment. I, too, typically enjoy Cinco de Mayo by celebrating at a favorite Mexican restaurant. But on May 5, the pulmonary hypertension community…
“I have watched fear change us. I have watched fear ride roughshod over our families, organizations, and communities.” – Brené Brown, “Braving The Wilderness.” In the above quote, lecturer Brené Brown was speaking about fear after 9/11. Lately, we are again learning to live in fear. We are…
I often hear that I’ve changed since my pulmonary hypertension diagnosis. I constantly speculate about whether this might be true, and then repeatedly realize it’s pretty accurate. Surviving every day with a rare and life-threatening disease like PH takes a toll not only on my body, but also my…
Have y’all had times during this self-quarantine when you’ve lost it? If so, you’re not alone. Last week, my husband was home from work all week. He was feeling achy and had chills for several days, which was far from normal. Thankfully, he did not have a high fever. But…
If you listen to music, you may already know that it affects our mood. I listen to music almost daily. Playing music on Spotify is simple, and I appreciate that I can choose a genre or mood. For example, I like to listen to upbeat music when I am cleaning…
“If I could tell the world just one thing, it would be that we’re all OK.” –Jewel Through the years, I have noticed that within the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community, not everyone shows kindness. I am unsure of why this happens. My guess is that we are human, meaning…
Life is full of the unexpected, the unknowns, and uncertainty. This is no secret. My pulmonary hypertension diagnosis was unquestionably one of my toughest unknowns. Unknowns also may include a job loss, the loss of a family member or friend, and a variety of other life events. I often deal…
As I write this, I am watching the news. Shocker, right? As of the writing of this column, 63 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the greater Houston area, although that number undoubtedly will increase. Life has been full of unknowns, especially in recent weeks. It is overwhelming…
March is National Kidney Month, the perfect time to remind people with pulmonary hypertension (PH) to take care of their kidneys. I realize people with PH have plenty to keep track of. But PH affects my body as a whole, and yours, too. I am on several diuretics to…
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…
