Monday, February 22, 2010
No Distance Too Far
Saturday night Jason and I attended the 2010 Hearts At Play which is the annual benefit for The Children's Heart Foundation. One of the speakers was Nels Matson who was born with CHD and had open heart surgery at the age of 2. Over the last few years he has put himself through a variety of physical tests to raise money and awarness of CHD. I posted in the late fall his story on running a marathon for the cause. Well he is about to endure the greatest feat of all...riding his bike across the country for CHD. His goal is to ride 100 miles from the east to west coast over 50 days this summer. Truly amazing. Listening to him declare this goal with so much confidence and without hesitation was so amazing. If more people took a chance at their ideas or goals, think of where the world could be. By the time he starts peddling on day one, he will be a true hero to the 1 in 100 children born with CHD. I wish Nels all the best and I hope I can provide some support (no matter how small) in his journey. He does have blog so I encourage everyone to follow him! The human spirit is really amazing! Stories like this make me strive to be a better person.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Today marks 12 weeks and will be the last big milestone for awhile. All the doctors said I would be back to normal 9-12 weeks after surgery, so I have officially crossed the finish line. It is a bittersweet moment. I am thankful all continues to go well and my body is receptive to the new heart part. At the same time I am bit nervous to have this in my past. Sounds weird, I know. Why on earth would I be nervous about being able to move on? Am I crazy? Perhaps. For 26 years I had this unknown about my condition and questioned if I was truly okay. Then a random day in 2009 I was told it was time to get it fixed. Twelve weeks later, I am back to normal...really normal...for the first time in my life. My heart is healed and working better than it ever did. It is amazing but at the same time extremely hard to let go of 26 years of worrying. My entire life (up until now) the warning sign I was told to look out for was blue fingernails. I got so wrapped up in blue fingernails that subconsciously I would look at my fingers hundreds of times a day. I had this habit ever since I can remember. Now days, I don't have to worry about blue fingernails, yet I catch myself still checking them. I get upset with myself because why can't I break this habit and let the past go. But it is terribly hard to do. My heart and it's congenital defect will always be on my mind - everyday. BUT I am learning not to dwell on the past because it is fixed. I can focus on living life and not wondering if I am okay - because I am, finally.
With a new heart part came a new me. I feel that I am kinder and more thoughtful of everything around me. I am trying to do better at showing it. Especially the ones closest to my heart. They were there for me during the hardest time in my life, the least I can do is show them my appreciation. I also have this huge urge to give back - pay it forward in a sense. I am trying to get involved in local congenital heart defect organizations to offer my time and support. 1 in 100 children are born with CHD and it is the most common birth defect. There is so much that can be done to support such a worthy cause that I hope I can be of some assistance. My hope is that my story helps others going through the same thing and gives a positive outlook on the entire experience.
I also hope others learn to love their heart just a bit more. Congenital defects cannot be avoided, but heart disease can in most ways. That lazy year on the couch or that constant drive-thru for fast food is really not worth it. Do something every day to benefit your heart. It needs love too.
So 12 weeks is here and will be gone very shortly. I am doing great - better than ever - and I am so blessed. There is a reason this all happened so I am bound to do my part to make it worthwhile.
Where to now? Right now at this moment I am going to celebrate with Jason. Tomorrow, I will wake up thankful for another day and see where life takes me. I have no idea what is in store for the future but I am excited for the adventure!
Don't worry, I will keep you all posted.
Lots of Love! And! Love your heart!
With a new heart part came a new me. I feel that I am kinder and more thoughtful of everything around me. I am trying to do better at showing it. Especially the ones closest to my heart. They were there for me during the hardest time in my life, the least I can do is show them my appreciation. I also have this huge urge to give back - pay it forward in a sense. I am trying to get involved in local congenital heart defect organizations to offer my time and support. 1 in 100 children are born with CHD and it is the most common birth defect. There is so much that can be done to support such a worthy cause that I hope I can be of some assistance. My hope is that my story helps others going through the same thing and gives a positive outlook on the entire experience.
I also hope others learn to love their heart just a bit more. Congenital defects cannot be avoided, but heart disease can in most ways. That lazy year on the couch or that constant drive-thru for fast food is really not worth it. Do something every day to benefit your heart. It needs love too.
So 12 weeks is here and will be gone very shortly. I am doing great - better than ever - and I am so blessed. There is a reason this all happened so I am bound to do my part to make it worthwhile.
Where to now? Right now at this moment I am going to celebrate with Jason. Tomorrow, I will wake up thankful for another day and see where life takes me. I have no idea what is in store for the future but I am excited for the adventure!
Don't worry, I will keep you all posted.
Lots of Love! And! Love your heart!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
9 Week Follow Up!
I know it is 7 days into 2010 but Happy New Year!! I hope everyone is still maintaining their New Year's Resolution! Don't quit them just yet!
Yesterday I had a follow up appointment with Dr. Hijazi and I am glad to say all is going well with my ticker! I had another Echo and EKG and all came back fine. It is so neat to see my new valve just working away and keeping my heart strong. Dr. Hijazi said the size of the right ventricle is half what is was before the surgery and no last effects of the previous dilation! Woohoo! I am also under no restrictions and can go back to my normal life. That was the best news ever and the moment I spent 9 weeks waiting to hear. It was great to see Dr. Hijazi but I am so excited I do not have to return to Rush for another 6 months.
As soon as Jason and I got home from my appointment, I got ready for my first bootcamp class in more than 9 weeks. Dr. Hijazi said I was free to go - so why not jump back in with both feet? I was so nervous to go back! I didn't know how my body would hold up. As soon as I walked through the door I was welcomed back with open arms from my classmates. They are such amazing people and have been the best support system I could ask for. They even saved my old spot for me! The class was cardio with weights. Before I had my surgery, I was up to 15 to 20 pound dumbbells, but for this class 8 pounds was about all I could handle. I felt like such a wimp! But I sorta knew that I was starting over again. I made it through the entire class with no problems and it felt so good! The only thing I didn't do were pushups or exercises twisting my chest - still a little sore to do those things right now. But I did other exercises to make up for it. It was the best 45 minutes and I felt like I accomplished so much!
I really cannot believe in 9 weeks I went from open heart surgery to bootcamp class. So many people have been amazed by my progress but I didn't do anything astonishing. I just followed the doctors orders and didn't give in to the process. With that said, I am proud of myself for getting through this and being able to look back and see what an awesome journey it was. I truly hope my story helps others going through the same experiences. 2009 was an eventful year but I am so grateful for the entire ride and all of the amazing things that came with the happy and (of course) challenging moments.
The beginning of 2009 I wanted to get healthy and fit. The end of 2009 I wanted to survive open heart surgery. Now that all of that has been accomplished, I want 2010 to be full of giving back and paying it forward.
Yesterday I had a follow up appointment with Dr. Hijazi and I am glad to say all is going well with my ticker! I had another Echo and EKG and all came back fine. It is so neat to see my new valve just working away and keeping my heart strong. Dr. Hijazi said the size of the right ventricle is half what is was before the surgery and no last effects of the previous dilation! Woohoo! I am also under no restrictions and can go back to my normal life. That was the best news ever and the moment I spent 9 weeks waiting to hear. It was great to see Dr. Hijazi but I am so excited I do not have to return to Rush for another 6 months.
As soon as Jason and I got home from my appointment, I got ready for my first bootcamp class in more than 9 weeks. Dr. Hijazi said I was free to go - so why not jump back in with both feet? I was so nervous to go back! I didn't know how my body would hold up. As soon as I walked through the door I was welcomed back with open arms from my classmates. They are such amazing people and have been the best support system I could ask for. They even saved my old spot for me! The class was cardio with weights. Before I had my surgery, I was up to 15 to 20 pound dumbbells, but for this class 8 pounds was about all I could handle. I felt like such a wimp! But I sorta knew that I was starting over again. I made it through the entire class with no problems and it felt so good! The only thing I didn't do were pushups or exercises twisting my chest - still a little sore to do those things right now. But I did other exercises to make up for it. It was the best 45 minutes and I felt like I accomplished so much!
I really cannot believe in 9 weeks I went from open heart surgery to bootcamp class. So many people have been amazed by my progress but I didn't do anything astonishing. I just followed the doctors orders and didn't give in to the process. With that said, I am proud of myself for getting through this and being able to look back and see what an awesome journey it was. I truly hope my story helps others going through the same experiences. 2009 was an eventful year but I am so grateful for the entire ride and all of the amazing things that came with the happy and (of course) challenging moments.
The beginning of 2009 I wanted to get healthy and fit. The end of 2009 I wanted to survive open heart surgery. Now that all of that has been accomplished, I want 2010 to be full of giving back and paying it forward.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
