Seeing the Bright Side

Last night I was watching a repeat of House, and it got me thinking about the difference between me and others with chronic illnesses. I had a talk with my 12yo daughter, and it occurred to me the reason why Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) has the slogan "PHenomenal Hope" as its motto is this: While someone with Alzheimer's, Multiple Sclerosis, Huntington's, etc. knows there is a natural progression to their disease and said condition will eventually be fatal, my condition, while progressive, can be arrested; therefore, while death is a threat, it is NOT inevitable.

As long as my condition does not worsen, and my medication continues to help me be stable, as long as new medications and treatments are available in the event I fail on my current medications, I can have hope that my condition won't progress; that I will continue to live a fairly active and as normal a life as I can. My condition, which cannot be cured just yet, can actually improve.

I do have "PHenomenal Hope!"

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November if Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month. Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) is a rare blood vessel disorder of the lung in which the pressure in the pulmonary artery (the blood vessel that leads from the heart to the lungs) rises above normal levels and may become life threatening.

Symptoms of PH include shortness of breath with minimal exertion, fatigue, chest pain, dizzy spells and fainting.

Pulmonary Hypertension is frequently misdiagnosed and has often progressed to late stage by the time it is accurately diagnosed. Pulmonary Hypertension has been historically chronic and incurable with a poor survival rate; however, new treatments are available which have significantly improved prognosis.

To find out more and to help find a cure, please visit the Pulmonary Hypertension Association web site. Thank you for your support.

While I have breath, I have PHenomenal Hope.