Me and My Job

me&myjob

Welcome to our regular column where PH professionals tell us more about themselves and their work.

NAME: Alan Greenhalgh.

PLACE OF WORK: Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne.

JOB: I am the research nurse for Pulmonary Hypertension. HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED WITH PH PATIENTS? I started this role back in February 2014 so just under 3 years. BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB: It is exciting to know that taking part in research helps in the development of new drug therapies, trials existing therapies in alternate ways and patient groups, and in turn see how they benefit and improve the quality of life for our patients. Working with an amazing team, together, we support our patients both now and into the future. And of course, thank you to our patients, without whom we would not be in a position to take part in clinical trials. FIRST THING YOU DO WHEN YOU GET TO WORK: Sit down, power up the computer so that I can check my emails, sift through the calendar and generally prepare for the day. WHAT’S ON YOUR DESK? I have my computer, study protocols, diary, endless pieces of paper that just don’t seem to have a home to go to, and today, the all-important piece of homemade Rocky Road courtesy of my fellow research nurse Debbie. proudest moment at work: I guess my proudest moment has simply been the opportunity to be involved in Pulmonary Hypertension research and to observe how medications that have gone through the trial process have finally become a treatment option available to our patients. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE WORK: My days of nightclubbing until the wee hours are gone. A nice pint of beer on a Friday after work goes down a treat. Catching up with friends is also a must. My more reserved pastimes include gardening, history and photography, being a member of both English Heritage and The National Trust allows me the chance to get out and about and combine all three. At home I do like to potter in the garden as I find it quite relaxing. KEY DEVELOPMENTS YOU’VE SEEN FOR PH PATIENTS: One of the key developments would be the introduction of a specific therapy for patients with Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension (CTEPH). Research has provided that opportunity to develop a new drug, trial it, evaluate its effectiveness, and then see it become licenced for use. Globally there are new ideas on the horizon – developing exercise training programmes specifically for PH patients for example. Tea or coff EE ? I am a tea drinker and I have to have it black – tea bag in cup, hot water and leave the tea bag in. Simple, no fuss. Thanks to my work colleagues I never seem to be short of a hot brew at hand.

If you work with people with PH and would like to answer our Q&A please e-mail editor@phauk.org

forever PHriends

Alex Walker and Priya Mistry are both 32 and live ten minutes away from each other in Leicester. They also both have pulmonary hypertension and were diagnosed just a few months apart, but until earlier this year had no idea that each other existed. After a chance introduction, the pair now enjoy a special friendship and overleaf, they share their stories…

forever PHriends

Alex Walker

Iwas finally diagnosed with PH in August 2011. I say finally as my symptoms started way back in January 2008. I had been complaining to my local doctor at the time of swelling, breathlessness, pressure behind my eyes and passing out every time I went up the stairs at home. The doctor had told me that he believed I was suffering with anxiety and panic attacks and that I should slow myself down and look into breathing techniques – and that maybe yoga would help!

This went on for a number of years and I had got used to the fact that I just had to take my time. Having an 18-month old little boy also made me think that maybe I was just exhausted. So trying to eat right, be organised and get early nights is what I did.

“It’s great having someone to compare symptoms and feelings with...”

In 2011 my partner Ben, son Finnley and myself moved into a new house. I literally couldn’t do anything by this time without feeling breathless, dizzy and basically just wanting to sleep. Every bone in my body ached, I had a cough that used to make me sick, I seemed to have put on a lot of weight and my back was so painful too.

One Sunday morning we woke up and I felt so poorly Ben told me enough was enough and he took me to our local A&E department. From there I decided I wasn’t going home until someone had told me what was going on with my body.

I was eventually transferred to the Royal Hallamshire and after my diagnosis was confirmed, I attended every six months or so and seemed to become stable. I began chatting to other people and learned of local pulmonary rehab sessions that you can attend if referred by your GP.

I got my doctor to refer me to a session in Leicester and after six weeks, in my last session, the physio came over to me with

Alex with her partner Ben, and her son Finnley.

the telephone number of a girl with the same condition, and suggested I give her a call. I couldn’t believe it, and rang Priya later on that evening to introduce myself. We decided to meet for a coffee later on that week.

We probably chatted for an hour or so during that first meetup before I had to dash off on the school run, but decided to arrange another meeting with our other halves so that we could all meet and share our experiences.

We all get on really well and Priya and I meet up whenever we can to go for lunch or a meal out. We are in touch over text or WhatsApp most days and it’s great having someone to be able to compare symptoms and feelings with, and know that they totally understand where you’re coming from.

Alex’s family and friends are taking part in a ‘Wolf Run’ in April 2017, to raise money for PHA UK. You can support them via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/AlexWalker32

Priya Mistry

Iwas diagnosed with idiopathic primary PH in January 2011 after two to three months of feeling breathless whilst going upstairs or walking around town. I put my symptoms down to becoming unfit due to changing jobs which meant I was driving more than walking.

I also became very unwell with a virus and had a persistent dry cough for almost a month, trying every possible remedy over the counter and two courses of antibiotics. It kept me up overnight and interrupted my working day and conversations at home. It got to the point where I was having to write things down on paper to converse with my family.

My feet and legs started swelling up and my GP sent me for an urgent chest X-ray. I was rushed into hospital as an emergency with a potential pulmonary embolism.

“It was reassuring to hear someone else with a very similar story.”

Like Alex, I was referred to the Royal Hallamshire and I visited them every four months. Although we may have been attending at similar times, we never crossed paths there.

In passing conversation, my nurse mentioned late last year that I might benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation and I saw my doctor who referred me for this. When I went for an initial assessment, I was told by the physio that there was another young girl from Leicester who has PH and was undergoing the rehab programme and that he would like me to meet her. I couldn't believe it, especially as I was told the majority of people attending rehab are elderly, with COPD or emphysema.

My rehab was put on hold due to other reasons, but I was very keen to meet Alex and asked the physio to kindly pass my number onto her. To my pleasant surprise, Alex rang sooner than I thought and we exchanged stories over the telephone. It was shocking to hear someone else of the same age living in the same city, diagnosed in the same year! We were both shellshocked, but in a good way. It was reassuring to hear someone else with a very similar story.

When we met for coffee we were both a little nervous yet excited at the same time. It went well and it was nice to find we were on the same wavelength. Meeting up with our partners too has really helped the four of us out.

Priya with her husband Alpesh, and her parents Usha & Sushil.

Alex and I are constantly in touch over the phone and our friendship has developed over the course of the year. We share information on symptoms and side effects and how we both deal with PH at work and at home.

I have a blue disabled badge and have to put up with horrible comments from the general public. PH is an invisible condition and I want people to know how rare and lifethreatening it is.

Alex and I help each other out by telling one another if we hear anything about research or treatment and enjoy meeting up for lunch or dinner.

We have both adapted to living with PH and together are understanding the condition more and more.

Priya is taking on a special walking challenge to raise money for PHA UK, to support research, treatment, and ultimately, a cure. You can support her via www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ PriyaMistry1984