Lauren: Owning Her Health

Lauren: Managing her PAH

Lauren: Managing her PAH

Confidence and determination help Lauren take charge of her PAH

For most of her life, Lauren has always been a mover, and she loves to stay active. If she isn’t hiking, biking, or rock climbing, she is keeping her mind and body in check during a yoga session.

In 2010, Lauren was a 21-year-old aspiring nurse anxious to continue in her third year of nursing school. She was visiting her boyfriend (now- husband!) in South Korea, where he was teaching English. As a couple, they climbed mountains and hiked around the island he lived on. One day, during a hike, Lauren started to experience heart palpitations and shortness of breath. She found herself having to stop and catch her breath mid- hike more often than usual.

Lauren remembered thinking she should probably get checked out when she returned home to the U.S., but she wanted to live in the moment and enjoy time with her boyfriend. Her home state is relatively flat, and she was academically busy, so she thought she was likely just out of shape. However, that was not the case.

Searching for Answers

About five days after Lauren returned home from South Korea, she attended an exercise class with a friend. They had just finished running up a flight of stairs when Lauren stopped at the top to catch her breath. The next thing she remembered was waking up on the floor with members of her class looking down on her to see if she was okay.

“I had just had my first syncopal episode, a faainting spell,” Lauren said. “I was taken to the local emergency room, where they performed lab work and a CT scan on me. I didn’t know what was wrong with me or what to expect.”

“The biggest thing I have learned from my journey with PAH is that just because I have a chronic condition doesn’t mean I have to stop enjoying life,”

Lauren’s test results showed she had inflammation at the top of her lungs, so she was kept in the hospital overnight for further observation. An on-call cardiologist visited Lauren at her bedside the following morning to do an echocardiogram with a bubble study, an imaging test that shows the heart’s structure and involves the delivery of saline mixed with air into a vein.

After the study results came back, the cardiologist delivered the news to Lauren that she had an enlarged ventricle that potentially indicated pulmonary hypertension. The cardiologist referred Lauren to a PAH specialist at a hospital about 20 miles away so she could receive a PAH confirmation and further care.

“I knew in my head this was going to be a rough journey,” Lauren said. “I felt that things were about to turn very real and serious, but I was glad to be pointed in the right direction to get the answers I needed.”

Managing and Overcoming

Lauren immediately called her parents to inform them of the news. She tried to stay optimistic. She was then transferred to the specialty hospital for further testing and was discharged two days later because her college semester was starting.

Her diagnosis was confirmed by a right heart catheterization performed by the PAH specialist, and Lauren trusted her from the start. Lauren said her specialist gave her every reason to believe this was a condition she could manage.

“She explained things very realistically to me, and she is very renowned in the PAH community with her research and expertise,” Lauren said. “Her primary goal was to allow me to live as normally as possible.”

Lauren started on intravenous (IV) therapy as her semester was starting, and she was unable to make it to class due to being inpatient. Her professors were not very accommodating, and Lauren was kicked out of nursing school because she missed two days of clinical. Lauren was devastated but vowed this setback wouldn’t keep her from being a nurse. Once she learned to manage her new disease and IV therapy, her parents and PAH specialist advocated for her so she could return to school within a matter of days.

Living with a central line was not an easy adjustment. Simple tasks such as showering became more difficult than before. She was determined to continue with her studies, though, since she was only three semesters from finishing her bachelor’s degree.

“A lot of that semester was a blur because I felt like I had to perform at a higher academic level,” Lauren said. “I had a lot of nursing professors telling me I didn’t have what it took to be a good nurse. I passed that semester by 0.7%, and I had never been prouder of myself for overcoming all the mental and physical barriers life threw at me in a very fast four months. My confidence soared, and I knew I was stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.”

Finishing school wasn’t the only thing Lauren was afraid she wouldn’t accomplish after being diagnosed at such a young age. Over the last 12 years of her diagnosis, she has been able to work as a nurse full time, get married, start a family, and travel. She continues to grant herself the grace to see what her body will allow her to do each day.

With approval from her PAH specialist, Lauren set reasonable goals for herself to resume many of her previous hobbies. She still maintains her active lifestyle to the best of her ability.

Recipes for PAH

If you have PAH, you may already be reducing salt to manage fluid retention. Explore more dietary tips and recommended recipes to help.

Browse Recipe Collection

Switching Things Up

Since adopting a son, Lauren and her husband have modified their activities to include their toddler. With approval from Lauren’s doctor, they walk at least four to five times every week, including one or more hikes and a few treks to the dog park. She’s also intent on maintaining her twice-a-week yoga practices.

“The trick to keeping a good routine is variety,” Lauren said. “If I am not feeling one type of activity, I switch it up to something different. Some days I am feeling the strength training, and other days I just want to take the dogs for a walk. The key is to not get too comfortable in anything—it really keeps things real. I always opt outside if possible because I really believe the sunshine and fresh air add endorphins to my body.”

Lauren does her best to eat as healthy as possible, especially during the holidays. She has been eating a more plant-based diet (with fish occasionally) for about four years. However, it is easy to go above her usual sodium allotment with all the potlucks and parties that come with the holiday festivities. She likes to savor fresh vegetables, hummus, or things that might be a better option than sweets or salty, processed foods. She enjoys cooking from scratch to help control what’s in her food as well.

After close to a decade on IV therapy, Lauren transitioned to subcutaneously infused therapy this past spring. She and her husband recently flew to Europe, where they spent two weeks visiting friends, hiking in Austria, and exploring German castles and vineyards with their son. Lauren paced herself and was sure to rest when she needed.

Looking Toward a Brighter Future

Lauren plans to start graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in nursing education this winter. She is determined to teach at a university someday to help nursing students avoid having an experience like her own when dealing with a health issue.

Today, Lauren continues to keep a hopeful attitude. She sets goals for herself and adjusts as needed to best fit her lifestyle. Advocating is all about having your voice heard, and she tries to do it through her daily activities and encounters.

“Do everything in your power to own your health,” Lauren said. “This includes questioning things when necessary, living the healthiest you can, and educating yourself on current PAH happenings as best you can. Be your own best advocate. A mantra I like to live by is this: Do it while you can— nobody is guaranteed anything the next day.”

Learn more about PAH

PAH is a complicated disease that can be difficult to understand. We've broken it down for you with easy-to-understand information, simple graphics, and informative videos from a PAH specialist.

What is PAH?

You may also be interested in …

Ambassador spotlight - Peggy

Learn how Peggy renewed her competitive spirit after her PAH diagnosis and how she won't let an oxygen tank define her.

Competitive Spirit with PAH ⟩

What PAH risk status means to me

How has knowing their risk status helped Lauren and Karen better understand if their treatment plan is working?

Knowing your PAH Risk Status ⟩

Self-Care and healthy living with PAH

Living with PAH can be a big adjustment and taking care of yourself can make a big difference. But where do you start?

Self-Care and Healthy Living ⟩