Lung Foundation Australia first met Zali when she was 20 and had been recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), an increased pressure within the blood vessels of the lungs.
The diagnosis meant Zali needed a pump constantly connected to her chest, administering medication to ensure oxygen flowed around her body, it was not the life the dancing and travel loving 18-year-old had imagined.
“Being attached to something constantly was quite hard and took a while to get used to,” she says.
“It was a challenging time, and the day-to-day management of the condition is extensive and exhausting.”
At the time we spoke to 20-year-old Zali in 2021, she remained positive despite her diagnosis and looked towards a future where she could return to her love of dance and travelling the world.
How life can change
The now 23 year old, can say firmly that past-Zali knew a bright life lay ahead for them.
Since we first met Zali, she’s moved back to Townsville and hit some major life milestones including getting engaged, marrying her now husband, buying their first home and adopting 2 cats.
“It has been a whirlwind few years,” Zali, now an interior designer, says, “But I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
“The diagnosis completely flipped my life on its head,” she says. “I went from being a young, care-free 18-year-old, to dealing with something that most people will never experience in their whole life.
“It forced me to grow up and I do feel like I missed out on a lot of normal things that 18-year-olds get to experience.”
Zali, who has lived with IPAH for just over 5 years, says she has adjusted to it being her “normal”.
It’s not just been big life changes for Zali since we last spoke. The way she manages and treats her IPAH has undergone massive changes too.
“I’m no longer connected to my pump and a new medication became available that means I substituted the pump for 2 extra tablets a day – a trade I would make every time,” she explains.
“Because I’m not connected to the pump I’ve got more freedom. I can swim again, it is easier to travel. I even went overseas for my honeymoon with my husband which was something I never thought would be possible.”
The couple have another trip planned and Zali thinks every day about how lucky she is to be able to do this.
And it’s not only travelling that Zali can indulge in as a hobby. She’s also an avid reader and runner.
“I try to run three times a week or 10km a week – whichever happens quicker. I’m training for a 5km race in August and only race against myself as it is obviously a lot harder than more for me to run.
“I’ve also started dancing again taking latin classes and it is my favourite part of my week.”
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Zali is cautious to make sure people don’t think she is “magically cured” because she is able to do “normal” activities like running.
“I think people assume that IPAH is something that goes away and it doesn’t, nor does it get easier either. Just because I look healthy doesn’t mean I am.
“I get tired more easily, I can’t walk as fast or as far as others and even a slight incline in the footpath, for example, can make it 10 times harder for me to breathe.”
“But I want to stay positive and make the most of the life I have doing things that I love.”
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