​Veronica Lenihan

Veronica is a mum of 3 girls in Kirikiriroa Hamilton. She works for the Waikato Bay of Plently Football Federation and when possible enjoys an active lifestyle. 
Veronica was first diagnosed with Tracheal stenosis in 2021 during her third pregnancy, having her first laser balloon dilation while 27 weeks pregnant and with the airway obstructed to 80% closed. She has gone on to have a further 5 dilations, all at Waikato Hospital. 

Veronica also has inflammatory arthritis so the link to autoimmune disorders is being explored.   

​Veronica is looking forward to sharing her experience navigating the healthcare system as a patient with Tracheal stenosis and also a more recent experience of awake serial interalesional steroid injections

Lived Experience – Tracheal Stenosis

Loren and Veronica are both patients of the ENT team at Waikato Hospital. Their session is focused on their experience with Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: the challenges of the condition, support systems in place, current research, patient advocacy, as well as surgical and non-surgical approaches.