I'm Aware That I'm Rare: Arina Ševirjova

Arina is a newly diagnosed pulmonary hypertension patient from Latvia. She was diagnosed less than 30 days ago.  Arina discusses what led to her PH diagnosis and her outlook for the future, as she adjusts to a new normal.

Transcript:

Hello everyone, my name is Arina Ševirjova, I’m from Rīgā, Latvia. I’m 20 years old.

First of all, maybe six months ago, I started to feel breathless when I was taking on any physical activities, but I was thinking that maybe it was because I started to be much more lazy. I do not walk all around so much, but it turns out the reason was something inside.

It’s one month since I was diagnosed [with pulmonary hypertension].

I went to echocardiography and the doctor said that, “There is something bad. Could you please visit a doctor who is specialize in PH? So then I signed up for a visit, then I got to the hospital and then all the other examinations, and I then I got the diagnosis.

The first symptoms I think appeared half of a year, or year ago with exhaustion, tachycardia, and breathlessness at any physical activities. For first when I went into my current doctor, he wrote down all the explanations of my examinations. Explained to me what is happening with me. Explained with me all symptoms, and explained to me the situation which will happen, and what I will need to do to make my life better.

That’s was really something new for me. I had never heard about [pulmonary hypertension] before. It’s only one month past, and I’m still a little bit confused. But right now when I’m on my treatment, I can tell that I’m feeling better. I can walk longer. My doctors told me that if I want, I can join this [PHA Europe] organization to find a persons who can help morally and who is just like me, and I just did it.

I would liked it as much as I can for that, because I don’t want to sit at home and just be sad. “Oh yeah. I’m ill. Blah, blah, blah.” I want to do something! I want to help myself and other patients. I know I will seek out all the information, because right now, I’ve got the places to [research]. I’ve found the people to ask about it. Before, I didn’t have those people, and I didn’t have those resources.

I was studying paramedics for one year, then I got the diagnosis, and right now I don’t know what to do with my future education. I’m hoping to continue living my own life. By the way I would like to do it – of course with the help from the doctors and therapy.  So yes, the main idea is just to never give up, to be strong, to be positive, to then think to be happy, and be sure your diagnosis is never a reason to tell to yourself, and another person said, “Oh no, I cannot do this. I’m so weak, and blah, blah, blah. I can not. I’m not able.” All of us can do all of this stuff if we are trying our best, and we are never giving up.

My name is Arina, and I’m aware that I’m rare.

Listen to “I’m Aware That I’m Rare: the phaware™ podcast” at phaware.global/podcast. Learn more about pulmonary hypertension at phaware.global. #phaware #WorldPHDay