My Rare Disease Intensifies My Emotions - Pulmonary Hypertension News

Posted: 28 Feb 2020 07:00 AM PST

Sometimes I think my emotions are too much to handle. I find myself wondering if I am overreacting or feeling things too strongly. However, chronic illness has taught me that I need to feel my emotions. I can't bottle them up, hide them from the world, or numb myself.

Hiding from my emotions brought me confusion, anxiety, and depression. For a long time, I felt as though my mind controlled me. It felt frightening and isolating. My emotions were a source of shame until I realized the power that comes from releasing them.

I had no outlet to express myself when I disguised my true feelings with a smile. I felt I would lose myself without my "bubbly" and "bright" side. My rare disease opened my eyes to how much pain I held inside and prepared me for "the next bad thing." My mind can feel stuck in a state of fight or flight for weeks after a hospitalization.

All of the trauma I have experienced over the past 28 years has put me on high alert. As a result, I feel everything strongly. I experience the good and the bad with the entirety of my heart and mind.

Sometimes I cry too hard at something insignificant or struggle to stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks. Sometimes arguments last forever because my mind plays them on repeat. Letdowns or feelings of disappointment can persist for weeks.

However, because I feel so deeply, I can empathize with others. I can build connections and relationships on a deeper level. My rare disease has taught me the importance of loving with my entire heart.

Eventually, I was able to share my feelings with people who could relate. I wrote about my deepest emotions, created poetry from my sadness, and found an outlet in physical activity for my anger and frustration. Over the past few years, I have learned to acknowledge and work through my feelings to reduce their intensity. I no longer silence my struggles or think that I'm too much to handle.

My difficult feelings are intense, but my rare disease allows me to feel positive emotions strongly. I still experience negative feelings, such as frustration, anger, confusion, and fear. However, I embrace happiness when it comes and laugh louder than most. I also give and receive love differently. I want people to remember me as someone who always gave her best. Life is fragile and finite, and I don't take a single second for granted. I have discovered the type of love that I deserve and am grateful for it.

Living with a rare disease once left me with shame and embarrassment. Now I acknowledge the intensity of my emotions. I feel difficult emotions strongly, but I know I will cherish good things when they come and feel them with my entire heart and soul.

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Note: Pulmonary Hypertension News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Hypertension News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary hypertension.

I am a 27 year old from the smallest state in the US, Rhode Island. I manage multiple chronic conditions, some are visible illnesses thanks to my oxygen I carry around, but most are invisible illnesses. I hope my posts "Recharged and Rewired" will show those reading that just because I need oxygen charged daily and my body is wired a little differently, doesn't mean I can't be the best version of myself every day!

Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension Acquires $31 Million for Feasibility Study - Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology

Posted: 27 Feb 2020 11:43 AM PST

February 27, 2020 — Aria CV Inc. completed a $31 million Series B round of financing to fund its first clinical study in the United States for an implantable device to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

The funding will support an U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) early feasibility investigational study designed to evaluate long term implants of the Aria CV Pulmonary Hypertension System (Aria CV PH System) in PAH patients. The Series B funding close comes just one week after the Aria CV PH System was granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA, which is intended to expedite the FDA review and approval of designated devices that may provide more effective treatment of life-threatening diseases.

The financing was led by Xeraya Capital, a private equity and venture investor in life sciences that focuses on medical technologies, healthcare biotechnology, and bio-renewables. Also participating in the financing were Longview Ventures, Catalyst Health Ventures, BioStar Ventures, Cedar Point Capital, Frontcourt Group, and three strategic investors.

"We've worked with Aria CV for several years and are excited for the opportunity to lead this financing," said Jason Rushton, Partner at Xeraya Capital. "There is an unmet clinical need with patients suffering from pulmonary arterial hypertension, and we are impressed with the promising results the Aria CV PH System has demonstrated. We look forward to being a supportive partner."

PAH is a progressive and highly debilitating disease that often leads to heart failure. The implanted Aria CV PH System is designed to restore the benefits of a healthy, elastic pulmonary artery, which in turn reduces cardiac workload and enhances blood flow. This technology has the potential to improve both duration and quality of life as well as healthcare economics.

"Aria CV is now well positioned to drive our clinical research forward," said Dan Gladney, CEO and President of Aria CV. "We are grateful for this validation by our investors and remain committed to bringing this innovative treatment option to PAH patients."

As part of this financing, Jason Rushton will join Darshana Zaveri (Catalyst Health Ventures), Maria Berkman (Longview Ventures), Renee Masi (BioStar Ventures) and Dan Gladney, on the Board of Directors.

What is Pulmonary Hypertension?

Pulmonary hypertension is characterized by high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, a condition which causes increased workload on the heart, leading to right heart failure. In a common form of the disease, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension affects mostly women often in the prime of life. Even with currently approved therapy, it is considered a deadly progressive disease.

Fore more information: www.ariacv.com

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