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30 Days of PH: Be Your Own Best Advocate
It’s day 5 of our 30 Days Of PH project and it’s Katie Sample’s turn! Katie’s husband Bruce unexpectedly passed away on April 13, 2018. They had been together for nearly 10 years. After Bruce died, Katie took time away from work, and traveled, but soon, she felt something was wrong: shortness of breath continued, along with severe fatigue.
On March 4, 2020, and after multiple tests, she was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. Katie was 37, her son 4. She is now on triple oral therapy, and her numbers have improved. Katie believes she is proof that life doesn’t stop with a diagnosis. She still works full-time, takes her son to school every day, is relatively active.
She hopes her story helps others to take control of their health and be their own best advocate.
Katie, we hear you!
Now back to our PH Community. Do you identify with Katie’s words? How do you feel about advocating for yourself?
Katie’s story is on our Instagram! Go check it out and do give us a follow so you don’t miss out on any #30DaysofPH stories. We have so many more stories to discover!
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3 Replies
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Wow, what a beautiful photo of Katie and her family. I am sorry to learn about her husband’s passing. I love that she shares her story of advocating for herself. Too often, caregivers neglect their symptoms to care for others. This is such a vital message that others can learn from. Right, @colleensteele?
Thank you, Katie, for sharing your story. Which specialist do you see at UCLA? Dr. Saggar or Channick, by chance?
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That is a gorgeous picture! Katie has been through so much and I am in awe of how she forges on with not just strength, but dignity. @jenc I have definitely learned the hard way that I need to focus on my own health as a caregiver as much as I do Cullen’s and the rest of my family.
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Yes, @colleensteele, I have been proud of how you learned to advocate for yourself as you do with your family. This year I have noticed that you are improving in this area (for the most part); I love seeing this. Otherwise, I have “Dr. Cullen” get you in gear. LOL, It’s because we all love you bunches.
It’s too often that caregivers struggle with this. Where are our caregivers at? How did you learn to advocate for yourself as well as you do for your loved ones?
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