Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

September 23, 2020September 23, 2020

Overcoming My Fear of Being Judged

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

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, ... Read more

September 21, 2020September 21, 2020

Creating Your Own Recipe for Lemonade

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

When my son Cullen was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), my husband and I would have gone to the ends of the earth to help him fight it. When asked ... Read more

September 16, 2020September 16, 2020

10 Tips for Dealing With Chronic Illness

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

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 ... Read more

September 14, 2020September 15, 2020

Finding a Balance With the Online Chronic Illness Community

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

After I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH), the online community I found via social media was a huge comfort. It immediately made me feel less alone, and in the ... Read more

September 14, 2020September 15, 2020

Creating Space Between Peace and Anxiety

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

Have you ever nodded off at an inappropriate time? For a moment, your body gives in to fatigue. Your heavy eyelids begin to droop, and you start to ease into ... Read more

September 14, 2020September 14, 2020

Advance Healthcare Directives: Now Is a Good Time to Plan Ahead

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

“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 ... Read more

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020

The Complexity of Numbers in Healthcare

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

“Numbers don’t lie.” Members of my medical team have used this phrase, and I have caught myself saying it lately, too. Doctors say “numbers don’t lie” when congratulating me on ... Read more

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020

Medication Compliance and Patient Advocacy Are Big Pills to Swallow

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

Learning how to take medications can be a hard lesson for children, but my son Cullen managed it like a champ when he was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH). I ... Read more

August 31, 2020August 31, 2020

‘Let It Go’: Dealing With Inconsiderate Comments

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

“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.” “But you went out last night.” ... Read more

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020

Chronic Illness Helped Me Justify Keeping Trauma a Secret

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

Trigger warning: This column discusses sexual assault and rape. If you need assistance, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. I left a procedure last week feeling shaky, ... Read more

August 24, 2020August 25, 2020

Living Alone With a Chronic Illness

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

Three years ago when I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension at age 22, I never would have predicted I’d one day want to live alone. At the time, I was ... Read more

August 24, 2020August 24, 2020

Celebrating My Daughter’s Birthday With a Special Song

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

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 ... Read more

August 14, 2020August 15, 2020

Body Acceptance Looks Different for Me, and That’s OK

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

When looking through pictures on social media, I see so many body-positive influencers making powerful statements about the “ideal body.” I see women and men on Instagram trying to show ... Read more

August 10, 2020August 10, 2020

Why I Felt Down After Receiving Positive Test Results

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

When going to the hospital for tests, one always hopes and prays for the best-case scenario. Last week, I had a number of tests and was lucky enough to get ... Read more

August 10, 2020August 10, 2020

Some Days, Anxiety Feels Like Riding the Crazy Train

Pulmonary Hypertension News Columns

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 ... Read more