Keeping Physical Intimacy Alive, Even With PH
“Intimacy doesn’t have all that much to do with backseats of cars. Real intimacy is brushing your teeth together.” ― author and screenwriter Gabrielle Zevin Feelings of intimacy can help us feel more…
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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When Symptoms of Altitude Sickness Spoil a Birthday Road Trip
During a recent drive up a mountainous road to the small, quaint town of Julian, California, I suddenly felt the telltale signs of altitude sickness hit me. The first was a bad headache.
How One Woman’s Business Skills Have Helped Her Manage PAH
Unless you live with a chronic illness or care for someone who does, it isn’t easy to wrap your head around how much time it takes to manage a disease. A few months ago,…
The Scare That I’ve Kept Behind Closed Doors — Till Now
As I debated what to write this week, I struggled for days. Continuous brain fog makes the decision difficult more often than not. My brain fog presents as lapses in memory, in which…
With PH, Every Day Brings Another Roll of the Dice
When I describe my pulmonary hypertension (PH) as stable, many think it means that I’m in remission. They don’t comprehend that, while my numbers may be stable, I still have PH. I continue to…
How to Build Your Mental Health First Aid Kit
Last month I struggled with my mental health more than usual. My anxiety was out of control. I recognized that I needed more help and went to see a psychiatrist my primary care…
How a Friend Inspired Me to Be Proud of My Disability
After my bloodwork a few weeks ago, I stopped by a local 7-Eleven to grab an iced coffee. I parked and went in. An older man came in behind me and said, “Do you…
In Memory of a Special PHriend, With Gratitude
Last month, I lost a friend within my rare disease community, pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH continuously takes with no regard for anyone or anything. It wasn’t the first time and won’t be the…
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…
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…
