Patience can be a good friend when we are battling pulmonary hypertension. Patience says:
- You are doing the best you can today given the PH symptoms you are struggling with.
- Pace yourself. I know you get frustrated at your limitations but it’s important not to push yourself too hard.
- It may take some time before you see some benefit of your new medication, dietary program, or exercise program.
- Remember a little bit of self-care each day is key; slowly does it.
- If you are breathless or overwhelmingly fatigued, be patient; in time the symptoms will hopefully lessen a little.
Impatience on the other hand, can send a lot of stress our way, saying loudly:
- You need to do more if you are going to battle against pulmonary hypertension.
- You don’t have the time to go slowly today.
- You need to keep achieving something every day; you can’t just give into your illness. It doesn’t matter if you feel fatigued or breathless.
- You should be seeing better results from your efforts.
- You must try harder.
The barrage of negativity from impatience can trigger strong emotions. From its harsh words, we can experience guilt and shame, hopelessness, powerlessness, sadness, anxiety, stress, and self-rejection to name a few.
So the next time impatience tries to push you around, write a letter to it and tell it what a ruthless tormentor it can be. You know you are doing the best you can. You are dealing with a massive load of intense physical and emotional symptoms and the best you can do some days is put one foot in front of another. Honour your efforts, and embrace patience; it is after all a profound guide and friend on the road of survival.