Many of you ask from time to time how everything is with Madeline and me and our health journies.
I realized it has been a long time since I've given an update on myself and my health stuff (probably because it’s not my favorite thing to do!) but you all have been so sweet to pray and check in on us and I did want to share a bit as I haven't really updated on my heart since this post.
As of summer 2023, I am now seeing doctors at what we feel is the best hospital in the nation. We have been 100% thrilled with my care there and are very thankful for their thoroughness and kind, professional care. The current plan is that I visit there regularly until it is determined that I need surgery. (open heart surgery) The doctors are hesitant to give a number since so little of my 33 years are recorded/monitored (since I had no idea there was anything wrong with my heart prior to Maddy's birth) but they have loosely floated the number 3-5years. (I’m hoping it’s more like 30 years!) When I am there each time, I get ekgs, echocardiograms, etc. In November 2023 I had my first stress test and everyone was really impressed with how well I did on that, considering how bad my valve is. I am confidant that my exercise played a big part in those good results. (In the 14 previous months, I did not miss a single day of walking 1+ mile a day)
I’ve continued my walking (after a break in December 2023 due to my appendectomy) and then started working with another doctor in January to help with some other random non-heart related health stuff. (Headaches, sleep issues, and weight gain) Since my heart issues were discovered in 2021, I have totally changed my perspective on how I view my health. I used to blow things off and just “power through” things, but now I pay attention if even the slightest thing seems “off”. Last year, I just wasn’t feeling my best and had that feeling that something wasn’t quite right with my basic health, aside from heart stuff. I had a ton of blood work done and based off information and results from a few of those levels being not great, (nothing crazy, just a few little things) my doctor started me on a batch of supplements and vitamins. I also cut out gluten and sugar, as well as implementing a number of other smaller personal changes, based off her recommendations. By May I had lost 14 pounds but more than that, my sleep issues were gone, inflammation was way down, and I haven’t had a single headache since. I also feel so much better just overall. It is incredible to know that not only is my heart is in current stable shape (for as bad as the valve is) but I also can feel energized and have amazing quality of life. After some of what I’ve gone through, I will definitely never take health for granted again, and I am super grateful to have had an amazing year of energy and vitality!
Madeline is fit as a fiddle and doing great. You would never know she was once a preemie. She is almost caught up to Elliot in size and is one of the spunkiest three year olds I know. Considering that neither of her brothers are even close to what I would call “laid back”, we have quite the little energetic little pack of “three musketeers.” They keeping me hopping and are such fun kids!
Her eating struggles have all resolved, with time allowing her swallowing/digestive system to heal and develop. She eats pretty much anything these days, in large quantities. :)
(took this picture of the kids the other night because seriously they are just the cutest and I want to freeze every minute of them being little!)
John and the boys continue to be in fabulous health and spirits and I really feel like we are living the dream. Nearly every day I look at my little family and can’t believe how absolutely blessed we are. This is truly a beautiful life we get to live!
Thankyou all again for your prayers and support. We are truly so grateful!
Have a wonderful week!
-Chels
So happy for you and your beautiful family! I really believe our 30s are the “golden years” (though all the years are good) - so much joy and peace in the little-kid years! Hope you all have a lovely end of fall, and very happy Thanksgiving and Christmas with your families.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that your health is stable. As a 33-year-old with adult congenital heart disease, I can fully relate to that strange feeling of "what's normal for me isn't normal for everyone, so I can't assume that it's okay just because I'm used to it". But cardiology is an amazing science and heart surgery, major as it is, is surprisingly safe! And the younger you are, the faster you're likely to recover.
ReplyDeleteNot sure of your exact heart problem, but when my daughter was pregnant with her second child, she was diagnosed with a valve problem. It was my valve prolapse, and it was so severe that our heart was starting to enlarge. She was a marathon runner and had absolutely no symptoms. as soon as she was six weeks after delivery, she went to John Hopkins and had open heart surgery. They were able to repair the valve so she did not have to have an artificial one. She is doing great and actually just had her third baby, no problems at all .
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