Allow Yourself to Feel Peace, Not Panic This Christmas
When I was a child, I wrote in a journal that my favorite part about Christmas was the feeling it created. It’s not just the joy of holiday lights and carols, the peace and…
Life as a Caregiver — Colleen Steele
Colleen Steele was born and raised in New Jersey and received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Immaculata University in 1994. Her oldest child was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension when he was 8. At 14, he received a heart and double-lung transplant. Colleen’s love for writing, experience advocating for her son, and determination to spread PH awareness inspired her to become a columnist and forum moderator for Pulmonary Hypertension News in 2019. In her column, “Life as a Caregiver,” Colleen is open and honest about caring for her son, his PH experiences, and life post-transplant. Her ambition is to educate and inspire others facing similar challenges and encourage them to share their journey. If you are a caregiver and would like to be interviewed, contact Colleen at [email protected].
Featured Post
PH can impose physical restrictions, but don’t limit yourself
It’s a beautiful day in the country for what appears to be the beginning of autumn. There are acres of trees, mostly green except for a few that have changed to gold. They’re casting…
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The Healing Power of Laughter
It is said that laughter is the best medicine. My son’s battle with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and post-transplant struggles made me a believer. However, the humor behind the laughter has often been gross,…
Sharing Hope and Expressing Gratitude for Our PHamily
As Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month draws to a close, the complexities of this disease have been exemplified by the sharing of personal battles. Our community has cried out in memory of those who…
Living Life Focused on Quality, Not Quantity
Parents sometimes view birthdays, milestones, and even achievements as bittersweet. Witnessing a child mature and grow brings joy, but sentimentality tends to mix with the happiness. Many a parent has wished life would slow…
Responding to Questions About Transplant as a ‘Cure’ for PH
No cure exists for pulmonary hypertension (PH). People often ask, “But isn’t transplant a cure?” PH Awareness Month is an opportunity to explain the frustration that those who are battling this disease feel…
Effortless Ways to Spread PH Awareness This November
November is Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month. I remember the first November of my son’s diagnosis. My family and I were still in the process of learning about this disease. Awareness to us was…
Finding Closure in the Gross Lab
Happy Halloween! This week, I’m taking you on a journey to a “gross lab.” Yes, that is what it’s called. Four weeks after our son Cullen’s heart and double-lung transplant, we paid…
Advice About Advice: Sort the Good from the Bad
Advice is like a bag of Halloween candy. You take it home, dump it out on the table, and sort through it. One pile for the good stuff, another to cherry-pick, and one for…
Make-A-Wish Foundation Provides Joy to Children, Families, and Volunteers
In last week’s column, I shared how the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted my son Cullen’s prodigious wish to meet President George W. Bush in 2008. To be on the receiving end of this amazing…
My Son Dreamed Big, and Make-A-Wish Made it Happen
In 2008, my 8-year-old son was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Being told that Cullen had an incurable, life-threatening illness was traumatic. It was impossible to imagine that there would be happy days…
How to Keep PH From Ruining Halloween Fun
My inner child awakens every fall. As the foliage starts to change into its glorious colors, I go to work decorating my home. And while sipping pumpkin spice latte, I think about what costume…
Tips on Organizing PH Supplies at Home
Change is inevitable when you or a loved one is diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH). There will be physical, emotional, and social adjustments. And one day you will notice that your home has…
