A Little Effort Is Worth the Christmas Joy
It’s been a long, difficult year, so let’s make up for it with over-the-top Christmas cheer. We should decorate our homes from floor to ceiling, and ground to rooftop. Bake, cook, watch holiday movies,…
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. She lived in Washington State for 20 years with her husband and two sons. 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 returned to New Jersey in 2023 after her loving husband of almost 28 years passed away.
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, through her column, to share their journey. If you are a caregiver and would like to be interviewed, contact Colleen at [email protected].
Featured Post
Ho no! Christmastime is here again!
“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is one of the oldest Christmas carols. The lyrics, which have been altered numerous times to adapt to changes within the English language, are drawn from the Christmas story…
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Life Is Worth the Picture
Life with pulmonary hypertension was far from picture perfect, but I always took snapshots anyway. No filters, just life the way my own eyes had seen it. I captured reality from all angles: the…
Reflections From a Thankful Caregiver
Are you a pulmonary hypertension (PH) caregiver? If so, then November has been your special month. Thanksgiving is celebrated this week in the U.S., and all month there has been a focus on…
As Cullen Turns 21, We Celebrate Another Milestone
Adulting is hard. As children, we look forward to the freedom to make our own decisions, but being responsible for ourselves isn’t always as satisfying as we thought it would be. Even those blessed…
Finding Balance Between Optimism and Pessimism
There are times in life when I believe it is necessary to sit on the fence between optimism and pessimism. A pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis and the battle that follows is one of those…
30 Days to Be Thankful and Aware
November is a special month for many. It is a time to gather with friends and family, and share a meal, memories, current events, and hope for the future. Now is the season for…
People With Different Rare Diseases Share Common Struggles
Second in a series. Read part one. In last week’s column, I shared the inspirational story of Cassidy Huff. Cassidy and my son Cullen became friends through the Make-A-Wish Foundation 12…
Cassidy Huff Doesn’t Let Expectations Get in the Way of Finding Joy
First in a series. Those in the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community often refer to each other as PHamily. They don’t live under the same roof, but they do have a strong understanding of what…
Take Care of the Aging Caregiver
Why do some people look younger the older they get? Not me! I turned 49 yesterday, but the woman in the mirror looks much older. I recently read an article that compared pictures of…
Making the Difficult Decision Not to Attend a Funeral
“Many have credited my husband, Brian, and me as the sturdy trunk supporting our little family tree. But a tree is only as strong as its roots, and ours are as strong as they…
Maintaining a Healthy Relationship Between Doctor and Patient
One-sided relationships are unhealthy, so why have one with your doctor? It’s important for both patient and doctor to be committed to establishing an open, honest, and respectful rapport. From pediatric care to adult…
Creating Your Own Recipe for Lemonade
When my son Cullen was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), my husband and I would have gone to the ends of the earth to help him fight it. When asked if we would be…
