As the Holidays Approach, It’s OK to Say No
After dealing with a pandemic for more than eight months, many in my area are growing restless. I can’t say I haven’t felt the same way at times. But what I find most disturbing…
Worth the PHight — Jen Cueva
Jen Cueva lives in San Diego, California, with her husband and mini schnauzer, Zoé. Jen worked in nursing before the script changed upon her diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH), group 1, in 2005. Advocacy has been essential to her life. Her passion is to instill hope and remind others in the PH community that they are not alone. To do this, she serves as a forum moderator for Pulmonary Hypertension News and in her weekly column she delves into the roller coaster of emotions that accompany PH. It is powerful and meaningful to her to have this opportunity to play a role in helping others become more informed and educated so they are more empowered in their journey. Together, we PHight stronger!
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How I struggle to manage chronic pain during the holidays
Are you managing chronic pain alongside pulmonary hypertension (PH)? Did it disrupt your holiday plans? If you answered yes, you’re not alone. Many folks in the PH and broader rare disease communities share…
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Feeling Frustrated With Myself During a Simple MRI
I’m lying on a frigid and tiny table that appears to have shrunk since last time. The technician tells me the MRI will take about half an hour. Thankfully, she locates me a…
Let’s Take a Ride: Pushing My Boundaries
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein After I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), I wanted to live my best life. But…
Taking a Personalized Approach to Pain Management
Did you know that September was Pain Awareness Month? This year, the U.S. Pain Foundation’s awareness campaign focused on encouraging people to develop a personalized pain management plan. With my pulmonary hypertension (PH)…
Overcoming My Fear of Being Judged
A while back, I posted in the PH News Forums about my fear of judgment. I wrote about living with PH and feeling like I am being judged. At times, I feel like…
10 Tips for Dealing With Chronic Illness
After 15 years with a rare and chronic illness, I have learned much about navigating life and chronic disease. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is complex and challenging to predict. If you are like me,…
Advance Healthcare Directives: Now Is a Good Time to Plan Ahead
“Everyone knows they’re going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently.” – “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom Maybe it is because of my work in…
‘Let It Go’: Dealing With Inconsiderate Comments
“You look so good.” “What’s wrong with you now?” “But you’re too young to be on oxygen.” “Wow, you don’t look sick at all.”…
Celebrating My Daughter’s Birthday With a Special Song
The song “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride hits me heavy every time I hear it. I always dedicate this song to my daughter, Kayla. If only I could see myself…
Some Days, Anxiety Feels Like Riding the Crazy Train
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, nearly 40 million people in the United States experience an anxiety disorder in any given year. If you have pulmonary hypertension (PH) and anxiety,…
Here’s How I Show My Husband and Caregiver My Appreciation
“When thunder rolls through my life, Will you be able to weather the storm? There’s so much I would give ya, baby.” While these lyrics to Pink’s “Love Song” aren’t about…
A Lesson About Pity from My Late PHriend
Since my recent hospitalization, I am not allowed to drive for a while. This may seem like no big deal to some, but for me, driving is my little bit of freedom; it’s…
