Life Needed to Change: Tina Brincko

May 12,2020

Hello, my name is Tina Brincko and I’m from Lake Mary, Florida. I have three amazing children and a loving husband. I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension in 2017. My journey with PH has been hard. I had never heard of PH when I was diagnosed, but I learned really fast!

I have been on four different medications for PH and failed two of them. With the pump, I kept getting infection after infection. Having the pump also caused me to miss out on one of the things I love to do most, which is swim. I have almost lost my life twice because of PH. I have been in the hospital more times than I can count. I have missed many holidays and special events, because I was in the hospital. Once I was discharged from the hospital, my whole family had to learn to care for me and administer my medications. My medication routine was daily, and I had to learn to stay on that routine.

I learned that life like I knew it needed to change, from my diet to my lifestyle. I had to learn to live an essential life again. I also had to learn to cook and prepare my meals differently, and learn to pick and choose where we could go for meals, because a lot of restaurants cook with so much salt.

At my lowest of lows, I didn’t feel like living life anymore. It wasn’t until I learned that my oldest daughter was pregnant with my first grandchild that I had a reason to want to live. I wanted to make sure that I was around for every birthday and holiday. My grandchild who wasn’t even born yet, gave me a reason to live and become healthier.

So I researched PH so that I had all the information to help me live my life. I have been to several different conferences and have learned so much about PH. I have met new friends with PH, who I’m still in contact with today. I have a wonderful support system, from my family members to people within the PH community. The Orlando PH group has provided me with so much information and support!

My wish is that one day in the near future there will be a cure for PH and other families don’t have to suffer like I have. One of my biggest fears is that my children will end up with PH and have to live the same life that I’m currently living. Having PH has changed my life, in good ways and bad. I have more scars than I can count, but my biggest blessing is that I am still here. I am able to watch my family grow, and enjoy holidays and birthdays with them because I finally know what was wrong with my body. Without a group of amazing doctors, hospitals, friends, and family I don’t know where I might be. Thank you for reading my story!

Tina received COVID-19 relief funds from the Team PHenomenal Hope Unmet Needs Patient Impact Fund. Learn more about how this fund supports PH patients at teamph.org/unmetneeds.

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