Daily Ponderings

The moment I was born, I was a sick baby, even though doctors couldn't figure that out until I was 9 months old. I don't know what it's like to be totally healthy. I spent the first 28 years of my life knowing I had 2 holes in my heart, and pulmonary hypertension (PH), although no one really explained that second half to my parents or myself. Then when my daily symptoms of shortness of breath, and extreme fatigue turned into an elephant sitting on my chest constantly, I was eventually introduced to the PH world. I started seeing doctors at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio who specialized in the disease, plus a cardiologist for adults living with a congenital heart defect. I was eventually started on a PH medication, and that first shipment of medication almost 16 years ago led me to the online world of a PH community. From message boards to chat rooms, I suddenly realized that I WAS NOT ALONE!! The PH world became MY world for so long. I would read messages for hours, replying ...

Have you ever flown in an airplane? Have you ever gone to Florida? Have you ever been to a huge conference filled with people who were dealing with an illness just like you? Have you ever been to Disney World? Have you ever been on a jet ski? Have you ever been to Ellicottville , NY? Or been to Chestnut Ridge Park ? Or Letchworth Park ?? Or even Griffis Park ?? Have you ever seen a buck? Have you ever seen 3 buck in one day?? Have you ever been in a hot tub where the sign says bathing suits optional??   Have you ever started challenging yourself because someone else was getting you to realize you COULD try to do things you've never done before?? Well.....I HAVE!!  This is pretty much the short version of my year in review of 2012. It's been an amazing year for me. Not only has my health continued to be pretty much in control for at least the 4th year in a...