Tips for Battling Bronchitis When You Have PH
I attempt to take a deep breath, but tightness squeezes my chest. Pain follows, as if someone is crushing not only my lungs but my ribs, too. I woke up the Friday before Memorial…
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!
Featured Post
A PHriend shares her journey to becoming a patient advocate
Managing pulmonary hypertension (PH) for 20 years has not only shaped my life, but it’s also allowed me to connect deeply with a resilient and inspiring community. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand…
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The Secret Life of Sasha and How She Saved Me
Have you ever walked in the door and immediately been greeted by your fur baby? If so, you know how good it feels to have been missed — even if you’re greeted with sloppy…
Caring for Aging Parents Is Challenging with My PH Limitations
In life, we often try to control things by trying to predict the future. But no matter how hard we try, we are not in control. There is only one person in charge: God.
Opening Up About My Struggles with Mental Health
If you have found yourself standing in a warm shower as tears stream down your face, you are not alone. It is no secret that living with a rare disease like pulmonary hypertension affects…
Celebrating World PH Day and National Nurses Week
When you hear May 5, do you smell warm chips and salsa? Or taste a tangy margarita? Most of us probably think about Cinco de Mayo. No judgment. I, too, typically enjoy Cinco de…
Can I Have a Bit of Normalcy Without Fear?
“I have watched fear change us. I have watched fear ride roughshod over our families, organizations, and communities.” – Brené Brown, “Braving The Wilderness.” In the above quote, lecturer Brené Brown was speaking…
PH Has Changed Me in Profound Ways
I often hear that I’ve changed since my pulmonary hypertension diagnosis. I constantly speculate about whether this might be true, and then repeatedly realize it’s pretty accurate. Surviving every day with a rare and…
I’m Starting to Lose It with Social Distancing
Have y’all had times during this self-quarantine when you’ve lost it? If so, you’re not alone. Last week, my husband was home from work all week. He was feeling achy and had chills for…
Tapping into Music as Therapy for Illness and Trauma
If you listen to music, you may already know that it affects our mood. I listen to music almost daily. Playing music on Spotify is simple, and I appreciate that I can choose a…
Kindness Matters, So Let’s Work to Unite Our PH Community
“If I could tell the world just one thing, it would be that we’re all OK.” –Jewel Through the years, I have noticed that within the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community, not everyone shows…
Dealing with Anxiety Caused By Life’s Uncertainties
Life is full of the unexpected, the unknowns, and uncertainty. This is no secret. My pulmonary hypertension diagnosis was unquestionably one of my toughest unknowns. Unknowns also may include a job loss, the loss…
Staying Positive During a Global Pandemic
As I write this, I am watching the news. Shocker, right? As of the writing of this column, 63 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the greater Houston area, although that number…
