I’m Aware That I’m Rare: Mira Dean (248)

The phaware® interview

Pulmonary hypertension patient, Mira Dean discusses her diagnosis, overcoming fear of IV therapy and embracing exercise to live a healthier PH lifestyle.

My name is Mira Dean. We live in Cheyenne, Wyoming, which is about 6,200 feet so it makes breathing a little more difficult. I was diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension in 2008. I still see the same doctor that diagnosed me at UC Health down in Denver. When I was diagnosed, I was told I had five years to live. I’m kicking but at nine years now, 10 years, maybe a little bit more.

I just have a very strong connection to PH and the PH Community through Facebook. It breaks my heart every time I look at a Facebook page and I see somebody else newly diagnosed because it’s a scary, scary disease. It’s become a routine in my life now. I still wish I didn’t have it, but it’s something that I have chosen not to let define me.

In February of 2008, I just wasn’t feeling good. I’d lay down and I try and sleep. Of course, at that point, I was laying just on one pillow…