“The strength in the PH community gives us hope because it’s made up of people who will never give up!”
By Ellie Fordyce
“Isla was diagnosed at four months old with severe pulmonary hypertension (PH). Due to the research that was happening through the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA), her cardiologist recommended we try an aggressive therapy of medications, none of which were FDA approved for children. Even though the medications came with challenging side effects, we trusted the research that had already been done, and participated in research in hopes that we could help save Isla and others with PH. Over the course of the next few years, Isla’s heart began to look better, and on her last cardiologist visit in 2019, her doctor said she had no signs of PH. Knowing that PH is typically progressive and has no cure, this news was something we never expected we would hear. All of the research that is happening gives us hope that there will one day be a cure, and more families will get the same news we were so lucky to receive. Spreading awareness also gives us hope that more doctors and pediatricians will recognize PH so their patients can get on the medication they need sooner. Lastly, the strength in the PH community gives us hope because it’s made up of people who will never give up!”
