By David Coy
Sunrise
Is it possible to live every day walking with grief for a significant portion if not most or all of your life? ES is identified as a rare disease. It is said to be an advanced form of pulmonary artery hypertension. This is a birth defect that changes the way blood flows through the heart. The body does not get enough oxygen. People with ES often have a ventricular septal defect or a ‘hole in the heart.’ The arteries narrow that carry blood to the heart this in turn increases blood pressure, and the heart has to work harder to bring blood to the lungs and thereby can cause lung damage. Further this disease results in shunting of blood from the left side of the heart to the right which progresses significantly over time developing into pulmonary vascular disease. ES most often occurs in people who are born with a heart defect that does not get repaired in childhood. In addition to symptoms complications can arise, such as increased bleeding, easy bruising, heavy bleeding (during menstruation, coughing up blood, heart failure, increased risk of infections in the heart and lungs, and stroke. (clevelandclinic.org; rarediseases.org; hopkinsmedicine.org; webmd.com; rarediseases.info.nih.gov)
This disease was first identified with Dr. Victor Eisenmenger in 1897. Obviously this disease can be very debilitating and deadly, and people are regularly under strict physician’s care. We who know someone with this disease should support them in every way possible especially and including prayer, much prayer. Further we should understand they will have good days and bad days and sometimes more bad than good. Burdens are to be shared. If we can assist and support you in any way in your journey with grief please allow us.
