Salina's story

When we asked for blog submissions in the last issue of Emphasis, Salina Issory rose to the challenge and put pen to paper to tell the tale of her PH. In this blog, that originally appeared on our website in October, the 35-year-old from London looks back on her journey.

Iwas diagnosed with PH in October They’ve seen my life change 2017. I started to feel breathless completely; however I have been at the beginning of that year, determined to make memories for but I’ve always been overweight, myself. I’ve had a great family holiday so I just thought it was because I was in Mauritius, and I’ve been maid of unhealthy. I started going to the honour at my best friend’s wedding in gym but as the months went by, I was Dominican Republic. I haven’t had as becoming more and more breathless. many nights out as I did before but when

I finally went to my GP in the I do get the chance, I make the most of it September and had blood tests done. - and cocktails are usually involved! When I went for my check up and results, I’ve got used to having this condition I was told to go to A&E straight away as now, and with the amazing help and my oxygen saturation was really low. support from my brilliant PH team

I was admitted to hospital for nine I feel more confident in myself and days and told I had PH. I was completely like I’m ready to go back to work. I’m shocked and emotional - I’d never heard actively looking for a job and hoping of this condition before. something comes through soon. more aggressive and life was getting harder, so I went onto IV treatment in the July. grateful for those days!

I’m thankful more than ever for the support I’ve got from my family and friends, namely my mum and my brother. They’ve been there with me every step of the way and I couldn’t have got through this without them. I’ve also lost around 12kgs since being I've been determined to make memories for myself on IV, which I’m super happy about! Although my appetite is nothing like it used to be and there are days where I was put on oral medication and transferred to my specialist centre at the beginning of 2018. IV treatment was mentioned but I was adamant I wouldn’t need it. Unfortunately, my PH became a chocoholic and look forward to the takeaways on the weekends. I’m now on the waiting list for a double lung transplant so it’s just a case of waiting for that call! . I had to stop work soon afterwards as I couldn’t cope with the side effects and I do still suffer with them - but I do have good days too where I’m able to be active and feel that bit more ‘normal’. I’m super Making memories with my niece in Mauritius

I don’t feel like eating at all, I’m still My 35th birthday, July 2020

With my mum in 2017, two months after I was diagnosed with PH

At my best friend's wedding