Finding a Way to Address Mental Health Setbacks
Lately, I’ve realized I’m in a funk and don’t know how long I’ve been going through this season of my life. I feel overwhelmed. But is it connected to my cross-country move last…
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
Why it’s important to focus on self-care during the holidays
Here we are, just a week before Christmas and somehow my brain is still stuck in November. How did that happen? This year has been a whirlwind of activity in terms of managing my…
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Searching for a New Care Team Proves Challenging
As I searched for a new primary care physician (PCP) in March, I learned that finding my new healthcare team after relocating across the country would prove challenging. The first potential candidate spent…
‘Wine Down’ and Join Me in Promoting Self-care
Life after a pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis is stressful. As a Type A personality, I’ve often defined my worth by my productivity. But since my PH diagnosis, I am now working to prioritize…
How PH Affects My Sexuality
My husband, Manny, and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary in March. If you know anything about my pulmonary hypertension (PH) journey, you know that 17 years have been with PH. That means…
Despite PH, I Continue to Set and Achieve Goals
It’s no secret that life turned upside down for my family and me when I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) in 2005. But my life was far from over; I still craved so…
Never Stop Being Your Best Advocate With PH
Patient advocacy is a broad term covering many topics, and the concept leaves many confused. Those of us in the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community must educate ourselves about it. In this column, I primarily…
By Sharing Our PH Stories, We Can Offer Hope and Connection
“The courage it takes to share your story might be the very thing someone else needs to open their heart to hope.” — Unknown My hands were clammy and my heart was racing…
10 Lessons PH Has Taught Me in the Past 17 Years
I’ll never forget the day I knew something was wrong with my body. It was sending me warnings. The symptoms included increased shortness of breath from minor activities like talking, presyncope, which is…
Building and Maintaining Relationships Are Challenging With PH
When I walk my dog around my new neighborhood carrying my oxygen, my neighbors seem to look at me like I’m an alien. Many stare and gawk, as if they’re speculating about…
My 2021 Reflections: It’s Been a Wild Ride
As another year comes to an end, I reflect on memories from 2021. Since my pulmonary hypertension (PH) diagnosis, I desire reflection more each year. Those of us with rare diseases often get caught…
To Celebrate the Holiday Season, I’m Viewing It Through a Child’s Eyes
“Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can’t see.” ― Chris Van Allsburg, “The Polar Express” When I was young, my parents worked diligently…
Allowing My Faith to Help Me Manage PH
Last week, one of my morning devotionals left me in deep thought for most of the day. It was about apologizing for everything that makes you the one-of-a-kind person you are. With both hands…
