Turning half a century old is a remarkable milestone! When I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) almost 19 years ago, I was told that I had only three to five years left. Each birthday after those first five years feels like a bonus. So far, I’ve had…
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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When one person has pulmonary hypertension (PH), family dynamics change for everyone. Since my diagnosis in 2005, my husband, Manny, and our daughter, Kayla (my “KK”), have experienced those changes alongside me. But our family hasn’t stood still while managing PH. Our relationships, responsibilities, and needs have continued…
“God gave burdens; he also gave shoulders.” — one version of a Yiddish proverb When loved ones become unable to care for themselves, the entire family can go through a heart-wrenching experience. Primary caregivers will witness those health struggles firsthand and thus bear an emotional burden that outsiders…
Shortness of breath is one of the most common symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). It can have many triggers, and if you’re a patient just starting to learn about PH, you might be wondering what they are. Each person is different, of course, so something that might trigger…
If you haven’t heard about the advancements in potential treatments for those of us in the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community, hold on to your seats! I recently spoke with a dedicated, well-known PH specialist from the Houston Methodist Hospital, Dr. Sandeep Sahay, the co-director of the hospital’s…
Since my pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis, I have been labeled a high-risk patient. Because it’s a rare disease, PH can be challenging to diagnose, treat, and manage. And with several other conditions, including chronic kidney disease, I face unique issues that can leave medical professionals…
I settled on the couch, the warmth of my cozy, heated vest wrapped around my aching body. But in that moment, even prescription pain medicine failed to bring relief. The clock on my MacBook taunted me. It was already past 3 a.m., and I found myself wide-eyed, lost in the…
Fall has always been my favorite season. Unfortunately, San Diego doesn’t quite have the enchanting fall foliage that other places do. Instead of a vibrant cascade of leaves, it’s more like a few scattered ones and a whimsical dance of pollen floating through the air. That mix mingles here with…
Did you know? According to the National Institutes of Health, millions of Americans each year selflessly provide unpaid care for loved ones with chronic or severe health conditions like pulmonary hypertension (PH). These remarkable individuals dedicate countless hours to assisting others — and we can’t overlook the toll…
“How are your focus and concentration? Do you need help to stay engaged while reading, writing your columns, or watching movies?” These were the questions my psychiatrist posed to me during our recent telehealth session. Surprisingly, she linked my attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to long-term COVID-19. But she reminded me…
What turns a house into a home? My therapist posed this question during a recent session. Initially caught off guard, I found myself pondering its depth. Eventually, I realized it was an exploration worth undertaking. So here I am, eager to dive into the exercise and share my thoughts. You…
When the late afternoon rolls around and I’m ready to wind down, my body often has other plans. These moments seem to bring out the worst of my pain, and I find myself curled up in a fetal position on the couch. Yet, I’m hesitant to take pain medication…
To the lady who glared at me and muttered under her breath as I pulled into a disabled parking spot: Why not approach me and ask me why I parked there? I’d gladly explain that I have pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare and progressive disease that affects my heart…
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