Clear Communication Helped Me Navigate the Diagnostic Maze
The most commonly asked questions I get about my pulmonary hypertension (PH) are: what were your symptoms prior to diagnosis, and how did you get diagnosed?…
Chronically Uncool — Ellie Bird
Ellie is a cat lover who lives and works in Cambridge, UK. She was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2017 at age 22, having just graduated university with an English literature degree. Now she works in higher education and dedicates her spare time to raising awareness about PH, reading books, singing and going for walks in the countryside (when not too breathless!). She also, in stereotypically English fashion, drinks a lot of tea — preferably with a slice of cake!
Featured Post
Navigating Summer Fun With a Chronic Illness
Summer is in full swing here in the U.K. Many are jetting off on holiday, and thousands flocked to the recent Glastonbury Festival. I’ve always loved summer, music festivals, heat, and travel.
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I Ditched My Dietary Rules to Embrace Cooking as Therapy
I’ve written before about how I have adjusted my diet since my pulmonary hypertension diagnosis, but this isn’t something I’ve always found…
I’m Learning Healthier Coping Mechanisms
Physical and mental health are closely linked. Many people who struggle with long-term conditions like pulmonary hypertension (PH) also struggle with things like anxiety…
Staying Well (and Sane) During Coronavirus Self-isolation
I received a call a couple of days ago from my pulmonary hypertension (PH) specialist center telling me that I am a high-risk patient and need to…
Disruptive Side Effects Are a Daily Battle
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…
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…
Opening Up About My Diagnosis
One of the hardest parts for me about having a serious chronic illness is telling people about my condition. I’m always worried that they will look at me differently. And every time I…
I’m Grateful I’ve Overcome My Fear of Hospitals
I have little sympathy for those who exclaim that they don’t like hospitals — no one does! But for many of us, they are an unavoidable part of life. I can understand the inclination…
Crafting New Dreams for My Life
This is probably the hardest column I’ve written to date. It’s about how I deal with thinking about the future. I have been a planner my entire life. Whether it was daydreaming about the…
Adjusting My Diet for Health Benefits While Avoiding a Guilty Mindset
In last week’s column, I wrote about the challenges of making time for rest. This week, I want to address another significant lifestyle adjustment I’ve made since my diagnosis: my diet. A…
Rest and PH: When My Body Talks, I Listen
When a person is diagnosed with a serious condition like pulmonary hypertension (PH), they must alter their lifestyle. One of my biggest challenges has been learning to take it easy. I like to keep…
Going After Your Dream Job When You Have a Chronic Illness
Holding down a job when you have a chronic illness can be really tricky. First, there’s the time you’ll need off for appointments. Secondly, there’s the fact that you’ll need more sick days…
