Welcome to my Website! Thank you for coming.
MY STORY
In 1960 I was diagnosed with a heart condition. Because technology was not available, the doctors could not diagnose the exact defect. The cardiologist recommended surgery but wanted my parents to take me home to let me grow and age a bit. At three-months-old, dark blue from lack of oxygen, and non-stop crying caused my cardiologist and surgeon to perform my first Blalock-Taussig Shunt. They were so convinced that I would not live through the surgery, they let my parents carry me to the corridor of the operating room. Can you imagine?
The doctors had told my parents, “She probably won’t live to be a month old.” God had already laid out a plan for my life. At the age of 4 yrs old another Blalock Shunt was "installed". God blessed our family. Pink again and active. Cardiologist, Dr. Robert Ziegler, explained that I would need more surgery by the time I was ten-years-old. Year after year and examination after examination all went well. I did not have my third surgery, a Central Shunt with a Bi-Directional Glen until age 32.
By then I had graduated high school, attended college, held several normal jobs (from ice cream scooping to accounts receivable for Pepsi) and was married to a dear gentleman who wanted to marry me even though we had no idea what the future would be. Through the process of adoption, God sent us a beautiful daughter, who is precious and the joy of our lives. She married an older gentleman by which we also inherited three grown grandchildren and five (soon to be six) great-grandchildren. We love them all so much! (see picture below) I currently run a non-profit in Atlanta for teens and adults with CHD, volunteer for the Kids at Heart program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, speak to groups about CHD. I also wrote a book about growing up Congenital Heart, which you can review on the "Resources" page off this Website. Yep! God has plans for me, alright! I have been so blessed!
May the Lord richly bless your family also!
You are not alone!
Please see our resource page for a list of helpful Websites!
Left to right: Tom (my husband), Kim (me), Stephanie (my daughter) and Jim (her husband).
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