Ricky Saxena On Receiving A Terminal Diagnosis At 22

Ricky Saxena was a 22 year-old senior in the optical engineering program at the University of Arizona when he suddenly collapsed during labs, just weeks away from graduation. Ricky was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered his oxygen levels were dangerously low and his heart was enlarged by six times the normal size. Testing eventually revealed that Ricky suffers from pulmonary hypertension.The disease is rare, with only 500-1000 new cases diagnosed annually in the US. It's 3 times more frequent in women, and most prevalent in those aged 75-79. Ricky was a fit, young man preparing to take on the world after graduation. It was like a scene from Grey's Anatomy when a team of doctors gravely informed Ricky and his family that he suffers from an incurable disease that is destroying his ability to breathe.Ricky knows that he's not a statistic and doesn't live his life based on dire stories and statistics on the internet. Still, they are dire. Ricky was horrified when he first Googled pulmonary hypertension. While Ricky has a deeper appreciation for life and his amazing family, friends and partner, he battles grief (his own and sorrow over theirs), and feelings of helplessness amidst intense physical pain.Ricky and I met because were seated next to each other on a plane. With 8.3 billion people on the planet, I believe that our paths were meant to cross. Ricky's voice should be widely heard. Ricky explained that there is just so much he wants to say. He wants to show people that he's more than a terminal diagnosis, and inspire people to face their own challenges with a strong mindset. Follow Ricky on Instagram and TikTok at @rsaxdaily. Ricky reminds us of the miracle of breath, and the gift of a functioning body.As you'll see, Ricky lives a full life, working in his chosen field, cherishing each moment with his loved ones, never taking a single one for granted. I'm grateful for our friendship and the opportunity to share his story.