PHaces of Hope: Paul Finelt in Memory of His Wife, Sue-Ellen

Travel to Europe by Paul Finelt (Caregiver)

“Ever wonder if you’d ever travel again after your diagnosis? To Europe? You can—Read on!
My partner-in-life, my wife, Sue-Ellen, was diagnosed in October 2010 with WHO Group 1 pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with mixed connective tissue disease. Sue retired as a teacher in March 2011.

In January 2014, we decided to take that trip we promised ourselves we’d take when we retired — Europe! And we did, while Sue was on 2LPM demand oxygen and 4LPM full flow at night, along with inhaled Tyvaso (treprostinil). We were able to arrange an oxygen concentrator in every country and located PAH Specialists in each country we visited, just to be sure we would ‘know before you go’ who to contact in case we needed help. (We never did)

We had 14 wonderful, fun-packed days of travel to Switzerland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Please know, that through all the tough things you have to deal with, you can enjoy life!

P.S. Although Sue passed away in February 2017, the memory of her life lives on strong with her beloved family. She lived and loved every day.”