Patient Stories

Gina’s journey began subtly. A little more tired than usual. Out of breath on the stairs. Swelling in her legs that didn’t seem to go away. At first, she thought she was just working too hard.

“I was just worn out. I didn’t think it was anything serious,” Gina said.

But over time, these symptoms became impossible to ignore. Even short walks left her breathless. She sought care at a local hospital, where she was admitted to cardiology and treated for what doctors suspected was a heart issue. Diuretics helped reduce her swelling, but her fatigue and shortness of breath persisted.

Then came the right heart catheterization — and the real diagnosis: Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), a rare, progressive disease that affects blood flow in the lungs and strains the heart.

“I had never been sick in my life. Never been in a hospital. And suddenly, they were saying I had this serious disease. My brain kind of just stopped.”

A Turning Point: Finding Hope at UC Health

The local hospital didn’t have a pulmonary hypertension specialist. But Gina was able to quickly connect with the UC Health Pulmonary Hypertension Program at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center Hospital. By the time she arrived, she was very ill — in a wheelchair, struggling to breathe.

From the first moment, she knew things were different.

“Everyone [at UC Health] had a role. They moved so quickly and efficiently, I didn’t even have time to panic. I just woke up with an IV in a different bed. It was like they’d planned the whole thing to make sure I didn’t feel scared.”

Her doctors were transparent, clear, and focused. She was hospitalized immediately and began IV infusion therapy, the first step in managing her PH.

“I thought, ‘There’s no way I can learn how to do this at home.’ But after a few tries, I had it down. They gave me a binder —like an infusion pump for dummies— and sent a nurse to help until I felt confident.”

Today, Gina manages her infusions independently. She changes her medication every three days, keeps the port in for more than weeks at a time, and says it’s just part of her new normal.

Another Diagnosis, Another Challenge: Scleroderma

About a year after her PH diagnosis, Gina received more difficult news: she had Scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue and skin.

The signs — tightness in her hands, red and white patches on her skin — had come on gradually. Bloodwork had hinted at an autoimmune disorder, but it took time to reach a full diagnosis.

“It was like I was getting hit again, but by then, I had the team at UC, and that made all the difference.”

Adjusting to a New Life — and Not Letting It Hold Her Back

Chronic illness didn’t just change Gina’s body — it changed her world. Once fiercely independent, she now had to ask for help with things like changing light bulbs or lifting heavy objects.

“That was hard. I’m used to doing everything myself. But the hardest part was how people looked at me — like I was fragile.”

At first, Gina withdrew from her social life. Carrying oxygen made her feel self-conscious. The noise of the machine felt like a spotlight in quiet rooms.

But eventually, something shifted.

“I realized nobody else really cared. It was me more than anyone. So I decided to stop hiding.”

She set a personal goal: complete a 1,000-step challenge. She succeeded. A year earlier, she couldn’t even climb a flight of stairs.

“I thought, ‘Okay. I didn’t think I could do that. But I could.’ That changed everything.”

Today, Gina is back to living fully — in her own way, on her own terms. She takes breaks when she needs to. She manages dozens of medications. But she no longer feels controlled by her diagnosis.

A Team That Sees the Whole Person — Not Just the Disease

Gina’s care at UC Health is built on trust, empowerment, and collaboration. Her providers — including Dr. Jean Elwing,  Dr. Rachel Foot and Dr. Arun Jose

— don’t just tell her what to do. They ask what she wants to be able to do — and then work with her to make it possible.

“They treat me like I’m their only patient. They explain everything, show me my scans, let me ask questions — as many as I want. I love that. They talk to each other. They share information. I never feel like I’m falling through the cracks.”

Looking Ahead With Hope

Physically, Gina says she’s “a thousand times better” than she was two years ago. She’s stable on her infusion therapy, actively involved in research studies, and even advocates for increased funding for pulmonary hypertension research.

She’s especially passionate about funding for Dr. Elwing’s program and continued work at expanding practical tools like low-sodium restaurant guides for patients — resources she calls "life-changing". 

“I really don’t hold back from anything anymore,” she says. “I feel like I’ve gotten my life back. I wouldn’t be this positive or this hopeful if it weren’t for my care team at UC Health. They didn’t just treat my disease — they helped me live again.”

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension or Scleroderma, contact the expert team at UC Health’s Pulmonary Hypertension Program. Together, we’ll help you breathe easier — and live fully. For more information, call 513-475-8523.