Pulmonary Hypertension
I grew up beside my neighbor Nicole, who was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension when she was about 4 years old. PH is a very rare condition. Doctors said that she would not make it past 11/12 years old. She is now 17 years old. Before recent advancements in technology she would be required to always wear a backpack that would hold her medicine and keep it cold with small little freezer packs. Now she still has to wear the medicine pump 24/7 but it does not have to be kept cold. Nicole is planning on having a double lung transplant at some point this year after she relocates to Duke. Doctors have worked very hard and long to help Nicole through this process. Nicole travels all the way to New York every three-four …show more content…
The doctors said she would need at least $80,000 in her bank account for the surgery, medicine, nursing care post surgery, and also living expenses in Durham. She was also have to relocate to Durham, NC near Duke Hospital where they will wait for a set a lungs and immediately go into the surgery when they become available. Nicole has a 21 year old sister Valerie, who is now her primary caregiver because her mother's work schedule is not fit for the position. Nicole is very nervous but it is means of her living or not and she is willing to risk and trust in the hands of these doctors so she can live a normal and healthy …show more content…
The condition my last years but usually is lifelong. PH is high blood pressure in the arteries and lungs. The blood vessels from the heart become narrow and hard, making it difficult for the blood to flow as normal. The heart has to work harder to pump the blood to the rest of the body causing many symptoms. The symptoms of PH include shortness of breath during activities such as climbing stairs or walking, tiredness, chest pain, racing heartbeat, pain in the abdomen, decreased appetite, nausea, fainting, blush skin or lips. Nicole is very small for her age. She only weighs about 100 lbs as of today. The doctors said she would need to put on at least 10-20 pounds before the surgery but it is very hard for her to gain weight. Nicole has a nutritionist who teaches her a healthy, fattening diet, and exercise to help her heart. Having PH makes it difficult to do any physical activity. Nicole is also not allowed to drink any kinds of caffeine, such as alcohol, soda, or coffee. PH causes the body to hold onto fluid. When the fluid builds up it causes Edema (swelling) especially in the legs and ankles. Reducing the intake of caffeine and sodium will not increase the heart rate causing the patient to feel better. There are two causes for Pulmonary Hypertension: one that runs in the family and one that occurs for no reason. As we know Nicole does not have any
I grew up beside my neighbor Nicole, who was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension when she was about 4 years old. PH is a very rare condition. Doctors said that she would not make it past 11/12 years old. She is now 17 years old. Before recent advancements in technology she would be required to always wear a backpack that would hold her medicine and keep it cold with small little freezer packs. Now she still has to wear the medicine pump 24/7 but it does not have to be kept cold. Nicole is planning on having a double lung transplant at some point this year after she relocates to Duke. Doctors have worked very hard and long to help Nicole through this process. Nicole travels all the way to New York every three-four …show more content…
The doctors said she would need at least $80,000 in her bank account for the surgery, medicine, nursing care post surgery, and also living expenses in Durham. She was also have to relocate to Durham, NC near Duke Hospital where they will wait for a set a lungs and immediately go into the surgery when they become available. Nicole has a 21 year old sister Valerie, who is now her primary caregiver because her mother's work schedule is not fit for the position. Nicole is very nervous but it is means of her living or not and she is willing to risk and trust in the hands of these doctors so she can live a normal and healthy …show more content…
The condition my last years but usually is lifelong. PH is high blood pressure in the arteries and lungs. The blood vessels from the heart become narrow and hard, making it difficult for the blood to flow as normal. The heart has to work harder to pump the blood to the rest of the body causing many symptoms. The symptoms of PH include shortness of breath during activities such as climbing stairs or walking, tiredness, chest pain, racing heartbeat, pain in the abdomen, decreased appetite, nausea, fainting, blush skin or lips. Nicole is very small for her age. She only weighs about 100 lbs as of today. The doctors said she would need to put on at least 10-20 pounds before the surgery but it is very hard for her to gain weight. Nicole has a nutritionist who teaches her a healthy, fattening diet, and exercise to help her heart. Having PH makes it difficult to do any physical activity. Nicole is also not allowed to drink any kinds of caffeine, such as alcohol, soda, or coffee. PH causes the body to hold onto fluid. When the fluid builds up it causes Edema (swelling) especially in the legs and ankles. Reducing the intake of caffeine and sodium will not increase the heart rate causing the patient to feel better. There are two causes for Pulmonary Hypertension: one that runs in the family and one that occurs for no reason. As we know Nicole does not have any