Chronically Uncool – Ellie Bird

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…

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 inform someone new about my diagnosis, I have to relive it. Before my pulmonary hypertension (PH)…

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 to avoid them at all costs, but the day might come when you no longer can.

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 color scheme of my wedding when I was a kid, creating a detailed itinerary for trips,…

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 low-salt diet is recommended for those with pulmonary hypertension. Unfortunately, all of my favorite foods…

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 busy, and I tend to get a bit glum if I lie in bed all day…

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 than the average Joe. This can make going after your dream job seem impossible. I was…

After I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I was so scared of doing any further damage to my heart that I stopped exercising altogether. I even gave up cycling, which was my main way of getting around. I spent a lot of time in bed and led a…

Welcome to Ellie Bird’s “Chronically Uncool,” a new Pulmonary Hypertension News column. When I was at university, I had a boyfriend who was obsessed with fitness. I had always been a very active person — I particularly liked to swim — but I had never been much of a gym bunny.