The Little Guru

Category: Health

10 Important things you should know about chronic illness

I’ve written this article that has 10 Important things you should know about chronic illness to help educate those who want to learn about chronic illness. I want to spread awareness so that friends, family, employers, coworkers, and healthcare professionals can better understand chronic illness. My hope is that an increase in awareness will help strengthen relationships, reduce misunderstandings, and improve support systems for those with chronic illness.

10 Important things you should know about chronic illness

1. Nobody WANTS To Feel Sick

We don’t choose to feel sick. It happens! So if I cancel last minute, it’s because I really don’t feel well and it’s not just an excuse.

2. Many Doctors Don’t Understand Chronic Illness

Patients often have to spend precious time searching for a doctor who understands their illness and provides appropriate treatment options while their symptoms potentially worsen.

3. Being Unable To Work Is NOT a Vacation

We are struggling every day to do simple tasks: getting out of bed, getting dressed, making a meal, bathing, etc. Being sick is hard work.

4. Chronic Illness Can Trigger Many Emotions

Chronic illness itself can change the biochemical makeup of the mood control center in the brain. This can lead to depression and/or anxiety, which I think, comes with every illness.

5. The Symptoms of Chronic Illness Are Very Complex

The symptoms experienced by those with chronic illness vary depending on the illness. This can be extreme fatigue, pain, headaches, brain fog, nausea, and dizziness.

6. The Chronic Illness Fatigue Is Much More Than Being Tired

Fatigue is a common symptom in chronic illness. Dreaded fatigue can be easily triggered by simple daily activities or by more elaborate events such as holidays. It can take days, weeks, or even months to recover.

7. Brain Fog Is Extremely Frustrating

Brain fog is frustrating because it is a difficult symptom to describe. A cognitive dysfunction common in chronic illness. Those with brain fog often know what they want to say, but can’t find the thoughts or words to communicate it.

8. There Is a Greater Risk of Dangerous Infections

The immune system in those with chronic illness may be overactive and instead of attacking infections, the chronic illness immune system wastes time and energy fighting the body’s own organs, joints, nerves, and muscles. A minor cold in a healthy person could progress to a dangerous infection in someone with chronic illness.

9. Sensitivity to Smells Is Common

Certain smells including perfumes, colognes, cleaning agents, and smoke can trigger headaches, brain fog, nausea, and other symptoms in those with chronic illness.

10. It Takes a Lot of Effort to Manage Chronic Illness

Having a chronic illness is hard! Making sure we get adequate rest, avoid trigger foods, take medications at the correct times. It is understandable that sometimes we just want to just “take the day off”.

You can make a big difference in the lives of those with chronic illness by learning more about their symptoms and approaching them with compassion and support. Gaining an understanding of chronic illness will help make these conditions less “invisible.”

November 23, 2020
Crossroads…

“Incoming Call — Suretha -Vitalab”

The day had finally come where we got the news of our genetic testing. We approached the crossroads quicker than I expected. I starred at my screen for a while before I answered. I have suddenly developed a fear of answering my phone every time it rings. Suretha informed me that the results were in and that she wanted to meet with us to discuss the findings.

Between my limited time to get away from work and my husband’s busy schedule, we didn’t have an opportunity to meet with the Genetic Counseller and settled with getting the news over the phone.

“Hi Nicole, I’m sad that we couldn’t meet but here are your results. The results unfortunately came back negative”

Now many people were confused by our reaction when we told them that the genetic testing came back negative- meaning they couldn’t pick up the PH gene. In their eyes, it meant that we were all in the clear and that we can move forward with the surrogacy plan.

Not so much…

I remember telling my sister-in-law “S” about the results and all I could remember was her big beautiful eyes lighting up and a huge smile spreading across her face before I stopped it and said that it’s not such good news. Call me a kill-joy if you will but it wasn’t the news we wanted. You see, in my eyes, it meant that we had a much more difficult decision to make. We were definitely facing crossroads.

Do we go forward with the surrogacy plan and take the risk or don’t we?

Consulting with family and friends made a huge impact in our decision because in reality, it helped us process it. Two occasions really stuck out most for me through this whole ordeal that for me, made me more accepting of our decision.

We often meet up with our long time couple besties and I was eager to share the news with them. We told them that the results were negative and again, delight filled their faces. I remember the look of confusion when we didn’t share the same excitement. I played out the scenario for them.

Say we decide to go with the surrogacy and our child does in fact inherit Pulmonary Hypertension. A flood of fears wash over me just thinking about it.

Facts are facts…

At first, I would feel responsible because it is, in fact, my bad gene that I have passed down.

Secondly, the fear of finding suitable treatment for PH in South Africa is very disheartening. When I was diagnosed in 2006 I was given 3 months to live. Without treatment I would unlikely see the light of day. Treatment is South Africa for PH was unknown which made me jet off to the United States to find it. I count my lucky stars that I get to share my story with you today and this wonderful journey that I’m on.

Thirdly, to not only put my husband through the ordeal of dealing with a rare illness but to put my parents, my in-laws and the rest of my family through it all over again. It just doesn’t seem fair to us as new parents and to that beautiful child that didn’t ask to be sick. Silence filled the room after my closing argument and then they said, you never know what God’s plan will be.

Now, I understand that we cannot control what happens in life and illnesses that may lurk in the near future. Cancer seems to be invading homes that are too close for comfort these days. In our case, knowing and living through PH, It’s just something I don’t think I want to risk.

Does that make me selfishly cautious or aggressively stupid for thinking that this terrible PH disease MIGHT be inherited by my unborn child? That MIGHT has a pretty big percentage attached to it and it scares the life out of me.

Family matters…

The 2nd occasion was when we told M’s cousin Tals about the news. Now keep in mind that when M and I started dating, M had gone through the whole ordeal of my illness with me. So Tals, from the very beginning of our relationship said that she would be our surrogate for when the time came. From the very beginning she understood.

Recalling the night we told her, we were at a 21st and M had shared the news with her briefly. I was on the way to the ladies room when she caught up to me and hooked her arm in mine and said, “I heard the news, its ok”

Shaking uncontrollably there I was, telling that one person that had be cheering for us from the very start, that it just wasn’t in the cards for us. There we stood, in the bathroom crying in each other’s arms. Tals hugged me and said that her only wish for us was to experience the joy that children bring and that if we ever considered adopting that the crazy Coutinho family would love that child as if it were their own and welcome him/her with open arms.

How did we get so lucky to have a loving, selfless family like we do?

The road we took…

We hit a crossroad and we had to make a decision. We opted not to move forward with the surrogacy as the risk is just too great. I have no doubt that the road ahead will be hard.

There are things that I will always ask myself through this healing process. The wonder of what our baby would have looked like? Would I have been a good mother? Would my health get in the way of me taking care of a child?

For now, we will never know.

God’s plan for me has brought some really dark times and equally rewarding ones. I have faith that God is guiding us through this path and I know something bigger is waiting for us. It’s all about timing. Maybe we weren’t meant to be parents in this life and maybe that’s ok. Everything happens for a reason, I’m a big believer in that.

It is hard to come to terms that we will never hold the title of “Mama” & “Dada” but we have beautiful nieces and nephews who will enrich our lives and somewhat fill that hole. I for one, am determined to be the best Aunty/Godmother they could possibly have and that for me, is title enough.

February 19, 2020
#FreshBreathCheck With IvoHealth!
Did you know that February is National Fresh Breath Month?

During February’s National Fresh Breath Month, Sunstar GUM is equipping you with quality oral care tools to super-power your oral hygiene routine for that #FreshBreathCheck. Oral hygiene is extremely important as an unhealthy mouth may increase your risk of serious health problems, such as heart attack, stroke and poorly controlled diabetes.

I love being part of a campaign that not only educates myself and others, but pays it forward to those in need. By taking a simple test you will be helping someone in need!

Simply take the #FreshBreathCheck test here and see how your breath scores. You could win a year of oral hygiene treatments and a Sunstar GUM oral care hamper valued at over R2, 500! When you enter, Sunstar GUM will donate a toothbrush on your behalf to the Dental Wellness Trust, , a charity organisation that reaches around 15, 000 children in low-income areas of South Africa with vital oral care skills. You can learn more about this awesome organisatioin here.

Dr Linda Greenwall- Dentals Wellness Trust Founder

I was gifted this amazing pack to get my oral hygiene on track! Im super excited to try the Sunstar range and nifty gadgets like the Tongue Cleaner and Red-Cote Disclosing Tablets!

Super-Power Oral Hygiene Tools
- Sunstar GUM ActiVital Sonic Toothbrush (R259)
- GUM Original White toothpaste (R65)
- Expanding Floss (R54)
- GUM Soft-Picks Advanced (R99)
- Easy-Flossers (R59)
- Sunstar GUM Dual Action Tongue Cleaner (R60)
- GUM Original White mouth rinse (R99)
- GUM Red-Cote Disclosing Tablets (R50)
Thank you @IvoHealth for equipping me with the tools that I need for better oral hygiene. For the month of February, I will be sharing my oral health journey with Sunstar GUM! Check out our Instagram to follow our journey!

Sunstar GUM is recommended by dental professionals around the world and available from selected Checkers, Clicks, Dis-Chem, Pick n Pay, SPAR as well as dentists and pharmacies.
February 4, 2020
It’s all in the Genes…

I have had my fair share of Dr visits throughout my teenage life, but walking into the Vitalab Office to meet with a fertility Dr, was very new territory. Realisation set in, in that moment for me. We were on the road to starting a family.

After many discussions and research with my long time GP, I booked to see Dr Gobertz. I cannot express how incredibly amazing this Dr was. From the moment we walked in, it was an instant warmth of a bubble that he creates for you.

The conversation started with us telling Dr G about my chronic illness and how our next best option would be surrogacy, but M and I had a dark cloud hanging over us being, what are the chances that our child would inherit my bad gene being Pulmonary Hypertension?

Luckily for us technology has advanced in wonderful ways where were can do certain tests to see if we can pick up the bad gene and have it taken out. Amazing right..? but in the back of our minds, wouldn’t that be interfering with Mother Nature?

My husband’s motto in life is that you shouldn’t mess with 2 things: Mother Nature and Mother-in-laws. So when we asked Dr G that exact question of whether or not it’s the right thing to have an embryo altered, I couldn’t help but feel that I was blindsiding her and that she would punish us one way or another.

It Get’s Technical…

Dr G talked us through the next step, being genetic testing and referred us to a Genetic Counsellor. Our appointment ended with a big hug for now from Dr G.

I was feeling optimistic.

Fast forward to 2 weeks later, we finally met with the genetic counsellor. It was insightful, fascinating and emotional. It really felt like a couples counselling session because even though the questions were simple, I couldn’t help but feel immense guilt wash over me. I laughed and cried all at once. All I kept wondering was that I know Im the bad gene here, why do we need to do a test to prove it?

It was alot of information to take in so the video below will give you a great understanding of where we at in terms of ‘X’ and ‘Y’ genes. You can learn more here.

As I am the only one in my entire family that has Pulmonary Hypertension, it is very difficult to determine whether our child would be a carrier of the disease or if it will be inherited as I have been diagnosed with the disease at a young age with no other history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUQ2-n3h5LM

More than 80% of baby’s that are born with a bad gene, are born to parents with no family history of any illness. As I am the affected ‘mother’ the risk increases in a very big way!

Our genetic counsellor went on to tell us that she had been researching statistics and found that the pick-up rate of gene changes in individuals without a family history and PH is unfortunately lower than those with a family history. If we were to go forward with the genetic testing the test would only have a 25% chance of picking up a gene. Only 25%.

This test covers the most common genetic causes of PAH. Pathogenic variants in BMPR2 account for up to 75% of familial PAH cases and 25% of simplex PAH cases (i.e., a single occurrence of PAH in a family). The remaining genes on this test panel account for a rare or unknown proportion of PAH. Adding preliminary evidence genes will not increase the clinical sensitivity of the test at this time.

In all honesty, I did’nt register the statistical number when she said the words. I didnt process that there was only a 25% chance that they would find the gene. Looking back now, I cant help but knock myself on the head telling myself that “Well.. duh Nicole, of course it would be low, because if it was higher, that would mean that there would be cure for Pulmonary Hypertension.” I was floating in my happy bubble, cant you tell…

Percentage Talk

Suretha, the Genetic Counsellor went on to say that chances of our baby being a carrier would be 50-65% which she explained that , yes, it’s a high percentage but a carrier of an illness can stay dormant forever BUT, in other cases, the child can be a carrier and years later the illness comes out far worse than the affected ‘mother’- My bubble started to deflate.

With kind eyes, Suretha asked if we would still like to do the genetic testing. I glanced at my husband for re-assurance and said of course we would. He smiled so sweetly and said ok. My little bubble of happiness burst right there and then. I realised what was happening. My husband knew all this time what the words meant the minute she said them. He knew that she was telling us that the chances of us having a healthy baby was minimal.

The test in itself is a simple saliva test, that get’s packed neatly in a box and shipped to the USA. Costing +-R3000, this test could determine the outcome good or bad for many couples planning for a future family. For us, it seemed our future of having a family was slipping further and further away.

We walked out of the building hand in hand. No words shared between us until we reached the car. I felt like a failure as a partner, a wife and as a friend. We sat for a while and my husband went on to say: “Whatever happens, whether good or bad, the results will help another family” Tears filled my eyes and I just hugged him.

Both feeling utterly defeated, all we can do is wait to see what the results bring us.

For me, all optimism is gone.

December 11, 2019
Mother Nature Did Me Dirty…

There I sit, in a room filled with expecting parents. I sit quietly on my own, notepad and referral documents in hand, just watching.

Glancing across the room, I see a couple holding hands, grinning so loving to each other while the expecting mother rubs her swollen belly. To the left of the couple, sit’s a father and son anxiously waiting for mom to return from blood tests. I can’t help but wonder if everything is ok? I close my eyes for a brief moment to send guardian angels thier way.

Deep in thought a little while later, my focus shifts to the far side of the waiting room. There sits a teenage girl, not more than 15 years old, 12 weeks pregnant. I knew she was that far along because I overheard the father of the teenage girl repeat those 3 words in sheer rage to the petrified teenage boy sitting next to his daughter. The boy took the girls hand, looked at her with just love in his eyes and said : “It will be ok”.

“Nicole Coutinho, please come through.”

It’s a vicious circle…

Gynae appointments are never fun. Ask any woman if they enjoy going to the gyane and thier answer would be, 9 out of 10 times, that they hate it with every being in thier body! It’s awkward and uncomfortable but so very neccessary.

So there I sit, meeting a brand new gynae, telling him all about my sexual health and all the inbetween. I then get to the real reason behind my visit. I go on to ask him the difficult question; “Is there a chance for a Pulmonary Hypertension patient to have a safe pregnancy?” Dr H finished writing his sentence, closed my file looked me straight in the eyes and said: “Mother Nature did you dirty, my dear”.

It wasn’t a sentence that was new to me at all. Almost every single Dr I crossed paths with told me just that. A PH patient cannot fall pregnant, it’s absolutely forbidden. Touché Mother Nature- touché

I just was hopefull that after 10 years, the medical world would have advanced in some way or another. Perhaps I was too eager. 10 years isnt enough time for a medical breakthrough like that. Mother nature did me dirty.

Dr H and I went on to talk about other options and where the right place would be to start. Surrogacy is the next best thing for any person that suffers from a life threatening illness, especially Pulmonary Hypertension. The appointment was insightful and dreadful at the same time because somehow, this appointment felt much more important than the others.

All hope gone…

The drive back home was occupied by thoughts of the emotion that I witnessed in the waiting room before my appointment. A beautiful couple on thier way to starting a family, a father and son worried about the unknown health status of the expecting mother and the teenages that had unprotected sex which led them to an “oops”. I couldnt help but feel anger towards the teenagers situation. Why is it that couple’s that really want children have so much difficulty falling pregnant, while teens or as a matter of fact, ill suited folk go about having, “oop’s” left right and centre. I can’t help but think how unfair it is sometimes, but there has to be a reason right? RIGHT?!

I arrive home to an excited husband, eager to know how the appointment went. I think my husband was as hopefull as I was that MAYBE, just maybe there was a chance. He always see’s things in life as half full and my heart just broke when I uttered the words, we cant fall pregnant, to him that evening.

It really hit home this time. We both looked at each other and cried, hugged and walked to seperate rooms to process what was happening. I felt immense guilt in that moment because it was my fault. I’m the one who is sick and can’t carry our child. Im the one who is stopping us from having a family. I’m the chink in the chain and there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.

Light at the end of the tunnel…

Our home was filled with a range of emotions. Discussions consisting of wether we wanted to go through with surrogacy and if we were strong enough for it.

M was anti surrogacy at the time. He saw it as us missing out on the bonding time, the growing belly, the morning sickness, the cradling of the unborn child. We would be missing out on the whole experience of being pregnant. I agreed that we were missing out on alot but at the end, we would still get a baby that was ours. That’s the goal.

I called Vitalab and asked if there was someone that we could speak to prior to seeing a Dr to just talk about Surrogacy.

We met with a young woman named Brownyn, who is an egg donor herself and gave 3 children to 3 different families. We were in awe.

I sat there admiring how this woman gave so much joy to so many people and how I hoped that I would be able to give that same joy to the person sitting next to me in that room. The appointment ended and we walked out hand in hand.

Giddy with excitment and somewhat nervous, I looked over to my husband for a sign.

There it was. The spark was back in his eyes and in that moment, it was all I needed. We were ready for whatever was coming our way.

We were ready.

October 4, 2019
The “B” Word…

The infamous “B” word, or rather, the sentence that we all love to hate…

“So when are you guys having a BABY?”

Isn’t it funny how this is the question on everyone’s lips literally right after you get back from honeymoon, or at most family functions you go to or even worse when you attend a babyshower you get a random hand touching your stomach saying “When is your one coming?”

Now, please dont take my tone to be angry or irritable, as I too find myself being the culprit of asking that exact question, but I have come to realise that it is such an impersonal question to ask.

How do you know if that exact person you’re asking isnt suffering from Infertility, endometriosis or an underlying medical problem? But in the same breath, I ask myself, why are woman not being more open about it?

Instead of saying: “Maybe next year” or “No No, not anytime soon, we still young”. We should say: “We actually going through some personal stuff and are taking it as it comes” – I honestly think people will understand and drop the subject until you yourself want to talk about it.

Now I get that by saying that, it just opens up the conversation to the questioner asking more questions that you not neccessarily ready to talk about openly.

I’ve been there. I get it. It’s a Catch 22…

So this is where I step into the picture…

There has been a major baby boom within our family and friends. Babies from my side and my husbands side of the family and close friends and you can’t help but feel almost “pressured” into starting your own family.

It’s no secret that with an underlying medical problem, family and friends tread lightly around the “B” word with me. From the day I was diagnosed, Dr’s have warned me to be careful not to fall pregnant, due to the high mortality risk for women with this disease. Pregnancy affects nearly every organ, but perhaps one of it’s most dangerous aspects is the increase in blood volume within the cardiovascular system, which could be fatal for someone with pulmonary hypertension. I was also warned that many medications to help treat pulmonary hypertension can cause terrible birth defects. Pretty rough right?

Honestly back then, I didnt give it much thought. Well, of course I wanted to have children one day but now as an adult, the words ” You can’t fall pregnant“, takes on a whole new meaning for me.

It’s like I’m mourning the loss of the family and life that I thought I would have. It means I will never know what it feels like to be pregnant and to watch my belly grow. To have those “movie type’ moments where my husband cradles and kisses my belly housing our little bundle of joy. I will never know that feeling of complete and utter joy of being pregnant.

Sadness washes over me at the thought of what I would be missing out on, but it’s not to say that I will never have the chance to be called a mother.

So the next time someone asks me that infamous question with the “B” word, I’ll smile and answer: “As you know, it’s not easy for us and It’s really high risk for me, but we happy to say that we are looking into surrogacy”

August 27, 2019
Pulmonary Hypertension Invisible Illness. For me it isn’t…

November marks the month of bringing this illness to life. Letting it be the star of the show, showing people just how ‘great’ Pulmonary Hypertension is.

Pulmonary hypertension might be an invisible illness, but it isn’t invisible to me. Lately I’ve been reminded of how serious my illness really is. This year alone we have lost about 6 patients, that I know of, to Pulmonary Hypertension. Some that are part of the South African PH Association that I got meet in person and others that I discovered on social media. It’s gut wrenching to see that message that we have lost yet another person to PH. A little part of me dies inside. Every. Single. Time.

I see myself as lucky though. I’m one of those few patients that has actually gotten better in terms of medication. From taking 8 pills a day now down to 2. It’s truly amazing but it’s not to say I didn’t fight my way to get here. It was hard but I’m grateful that I can live a ‘normal’ life.

I feel frustrated at times by the changes in my body. Even after 12 years, there has been ‘new-limitations’ to deal with. Something as simple as storing linen on the top shelf has gotten me a little out of breath to say the least it’s so discouraging.

Even though my disease is invisible, I feel how it isolates me from friends and family. Many times I have declined invitations to parties because of the smoke and the fact that there will be a lot of people around. ‘Perks’ about having this illness is that it comes with PTSD and anxiety. I had suffered a syncopal episode at a function and since then I have developed a serious fear that it will happen every time. I’ve also watched a lot of people in my life become fair-weather friends after my diagnosis too. All part of the package though right?

Every day, I am reminded of what it means to live with pulmonary hypertension, and the physical limitations it has placed on my body. Some days are better than others, but living with a progressive and incurable heart-lung disease is still a heavy burden.

Even if you can’t see it, I know what it feels like to live with pulmonary hypertension. I’ve felt it every single day for the past 12 years.

Let us be more aware and help those that suffer from invisible diseases!

November 8, 2018
Longevity Event – All About Healthy Living with MNI

Last week I attend my first Longevity Event and it was so amazing! Here is the details of what went down!

The exclusive readers event was held at the gorgeous Munro Boutique Hotel in Houghton. Longevity and MNI (Medical Nutritional Institute) were the hosts for the day, sharing healthy lifestyle tips and prevention’s. The MNI Healthy Lifestyle Team of experts shared key information to preventing Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of risk factors that together increase the risk of serious conditions such as diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, liver disease and even certain types of cancer. Our modern lifestyle puts the entire family at risk of MetS, which is becoming increasingly common in younger people.

The Munro Boutique Hotel

Arriving at the gorgeous Hotel, I couldn’t stop myself from taking pictures of this beautiful place! It was the perfect setting for the MNI workshop allowing guests to roam freely and chat to the medical experts that were coming around introducing themselves to their guests.

We were warmly welcomed to the beautiful outside area of the hotel to indulge in some healthy breakfast goodies before the start of the workshop!

Caught in the Act! Picture taken by the Lovely Joy Gracious

How gorgeous is this setting?!

Ultimate Freshness! Getting Healthy with MNI

Breakfast Served!

Enjoying the beauty of The Munro Boutique Hotel before the start of the Workshop

Healthy Living

Before the start of the workshop, we had the option of doing a free health screening which was discussed in the workshop to see our health status in real time!

What followed was an interactive discussion and information a a group of MNI’s finest medical experts in their field.The panel of experts included:

Valerie Thomas– a registered nurse with a special interest in preventative wellness. She is the manager of the MNI Academy. The focus of the Academy is to promote the value of primary healthcare that shifts the focus from reactive to proactive intervention. Valerie was very real in the sense of telling it like it is and no beating around the bush and because of it, she captivated us with her witty humor and impressive knowledge on MetS. She was just brilliant!

Engela Palmer is a biokineticist. The primary function of a biokineticist it to improve physical functioning and healthcare through exercise. After being the senior bio at DBC SA and Physical Fitness, Engela joined the Medical Nutritional Institute where she is the product specialist manager. Engela made sure we got our exercise in on that morning by making us do easy exercise in our very seat.

Nicola Grant is a registered dietician who incorporates the principles of food science with integrative medicine. In addition to her thriving practice. Nicola spoke about the importance of a healthy balanced diet and benefits thereof.

The workshop was so informative and really gave me some perspective in the matter of leading a healthier lifestyle. Dealing with an already existing heart/lung condition, I know that I have higher risk of getting MetS. The workshop gave me insightful knowledge on what to look out for and what to do to prevent it.

Leading a healthy lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight especially in this fast paced world we live in today. It does take time, but it’s do-able, with the help of MNI. Check out their website here and fill out the free evaluation forms to see if your health is in check!

For more info contact the MNI team here.

Want to join the next Longevity event? Buy your tickets here!

October 17, 2017
#WorldPHDay

Every year on May 5, pulmonary hypertension organizations and groups around the world participate in World Pulmonary Hypertension Day activities to raise awareness of this rare and often-misdiagnosed disease and to celebrate the lives of the global PH community.

This year, phaware global association (www.phaware.global) has developed an amazing app called PHaware 365. The will allow those who have been affected by PH or who have a loved one that has been affected, to show your support and raise awareness!

World PH Day brings global attention to the importance of improving the quality of life and life expectancy of the more than 25 million people living with PH worldwide.

I urge you all to get involved and show your support for Pulmonary Hypertension patients. It unfortunate that many patients are often misdiagnosed which in turn, leaves patients with a very short life expectancy if untreated.

Download phaware’s free app now: www.phaware.global/phaware365
Show the world you are #phaware of this rare, chronic lung disease. Snap a selfie. Decorate your photos. Customize with PH facts. Add awareness stickers. Share your #WorldPHDay event photos across social media and on the phaware365 Global Selfie Stream.

Save. Tag. Share.
#WorldPHDay
Step 1: SNAP a Selfie during events around the globe.
Step 2: DECORATE your photos using the phaware365 app – available on the App Store, Google Play or at www.phaware.global/phaware365.
Step 3: POST your photos across social media. Be sure to tag them with #WorldPHDay & #phaware. Challenge your friends and family to participate!
Create global pulmonary hypertension awareness through engagement and innovation to forge a new course to a cure. With your help, we can all make a difference.

Please do share your photos to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association of South Africa Facebook page and don’t forget to #WorldPHDay

Save

May 2, 2017
Tea Meditation Experience…

This year I’m all about finding my Zen and in order to do that I have taken up all things Zen’y. From purchasing motivational books to doing yoga classes after work to searching for meditation retreats and finding Tea Meditation ones!

I was intrigued when I stumbled upon the advert about the tea meditation and wanted to see what it was about. So with excitement I called my bestie to ask if she would tag along. I booked and paid and we were set for Sunday meditation.

Based in Parkmore Sandton- The Nan Hua Meditation Centre is set perfectly within the quiet suburbs allowing to enjoy nature at its best! Upon arrival we were greeted with love and warmth and escorted to our table. The Tea Meditation itself was set outside under an enormous tree with beautiful music playing in the background to calm. The setting was perfect and allowed us to really connect with all things that surrounded us. It was strange because even though there was hustle and bustle on the street, not once did I feel my concentration get lost over the noise of the outside world.

Our Tea Meditation set up

The Gong

As the tables slowly filled up, we enjoyed the tranquility of the space and just sat there quietly taking it all in. The Tea Meditation started at 9am sharp with no one allowed in as it would disrupt the session.

The Tea Meditation session was conducted by a Buddist Monk- The Master that only spoke in Mandarin- Don’t worry, there was a lovely gentlemen that translated everything in English for us as he spoke us through the session. That in it’s self was so awesome. Learning about different cultures only enriches the mind, body and soul.

The Master started the session and we were asked to be in complete silence through out. With beautiful music playing in the background, we were asked to get seated comfortably in our chairs and to close our eyes for a 30 minute meditation. Honestly for me it flew by! It felt like 10 minutes had passed until we opened our eyes to see a beautiful display of teapots, cups and boards.

The Gong sounded and The Master called upon the Tea Practitioners to start the Tea Meditation. They all gracefully filled the tables one by one and proceeded with the art of tea making. As we sat in silence watching the Tea practitioner go through the process of showing us the dried tea leaves, allowing us to smell the aroma of the tea and eventually tasting the tea after it had brewed.

The process of the tea making took about 35 minutes in total. The Master had explained that the reason why the tea making is long is so that by focusing your mind and energy on the task of making the tea, it allows your mind to be focused on only that and to allow you to have complete peace of mind- a time out, if we could call it that. We were all captivated my the easy flow of the tea practitioner and the elegance she displayed throughout the process.

Our lovely Tea Practitioner- Lida

Once all the tea had been sipped away, the Tea Meditation had come to an end and the tables were cleared. I was a bit sad that it had concluded so quickly but to my surprise we had one more thing to do. All the Tea Practitioners had been dismissed all for 2 which asked us to make a big circle around them. They then went on to tell us that we would practice Thai Chi to conclude our day before the feedback session. I was thrilled about this as I have been wanting to do Thai Chi for so long! (I told you I was all about being Zen’y!)

Thai Chi is amazing and I would definitely take it up! It was the perfect end to an amazing experience.

The Master

The Meditation came to and end and we were all welcomed to have some drinks and snacks and to sit around for the feedback session. It was really beautiful to see how the experience had moved people in many different ways. People young and old, stood up and shared their experience with the Master. There was one person in particular that stood out for me that had said, this experience for her had really opened her eyes to how fast paced our life is and that by a simple task as making tea could ground a person so much. She continued on to say that every weekend she and her grandchild sit around the kitchen table and have tea together and that by doing so she is taking time out and sharing a special moment with her grandchild- with tears in her eyes she said, in that moment when I look at my grandchild, that is when I realize that nothing matters in life other then special moments like those, and she thanked the class.

The Tea Meditation not only taught me to enjoy the simple things in life but to be present in the moment fully. To be fully aware of all my surroundings and thoughts and to love fully and completely. Life is too short not too.

The Tea Meditation experience was wonderful and I would urge you all to experience it! They are introducing more classes this year that i will definitely be taking part and will share my experience when I do.

For more info on retreats and meditation classes, read here.

March 9, 2017