Heart Education

This week a dear friend of mine lost the battle with her heart. It is with a heavy heart that I have decided to start using this blog to educate people on the importance of a heart healthy lifestyle. Please know that I do this because I care for each of you and want you to get the most out of your life.

I am currently reading a book entitled, "The Great American Heart Hoax" that was written by a cardiologist, Dr. Ozner. He wrote something that stopped me in my tracks. Before you read it, can I ask you, are you taking any heart meds? Any blood pressure meds? Cholesterol meds? Pain meds?

A study published by Harvard-based researchers in the New England

Journal of Medecine concluded that lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, etc.)

are capable of reducing cardiovascular disease risk by more than 80% -

a figure that trumps even statin drugs (Lipitor, etc.) known to reduce

the relative risk of cardiovascular disease risk by only 30-35%. Heart

disease symptoms are equally affected; the Lifestyle Heart Trial

conducted by Dr. Dean Ornish found a 91% reduction in the

frequency of chest pain through lifestyle changes alone.

This really helps motivate me to take control of my diet and exercise. If you are thinking that you don't have heart problems and don't think this applies to you, let me plead with you to not only consider that you might be at risk for DEVELOPING heart problems or perhaps any other ailments in your life. So often we are looking for a pill or easy solution when what we really need to do is buckle down and change our lives. I realize life changes are difficult and sometimes happen slowly, but it is amazing what you can accomplish one day at a time, especially with prayer for strength.

Loss of my heart failure friends has led me to often ask God why He chose to heal me. I imagine that I will never know the answer to that question, but I will continue to make the most of the life I have left. Also, I believe a huge factor in my healing was the ability to make lifestyle changes. Thanks to my husband, parents, family, and friends we immediately began eating low-sodium, exercising each day, eliminating stress, taking my meds regularly, monitoring my vitals each day, and seeing all my doctors regularly. It's a tall order, but again, with daily prayer and determination, God will help you make those changes... and I'll be happy to do what I can to encourage you as well. Make a change in your life and make it better. There is no time like today.

Happy Happy Happy

All my life I have been told to be happy and have fun. Always wear a smile, you might brighten some one's day. That each day is what you make of it, so be positive.

Well, there are days when you just don't feel like it, right?

Many of you know that I have been attending a support group at the hospital for people with heart pumps or heart transplants. These people have become my dear friends who understand what we are going through and are trying to make it through themselves. One of our group members (at 24 years old) passed away this week, one had to get a breathing tube put in, one went blind in one eye from an infection that is also in her heart, one is receiving multiple units of blood because he is bleeding internally, and several of our support persons are sick and discouraged (not to mention that I had to have a tooth pulled yesterday as well). And it is just one of those weeks where everyone is being hit hard and feeling discouraged.

Because of all of these hardships, I have been repeating over and over to myself that THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE, I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. And you know what, as soon as I do, it reminds me of all the blessings that are all around us. For instance, my friend that went blind in one eye was very discouraged, but because of her eye problem, they caught the infection in her heart. See, some times we don't see God working behind the scenes because we are discouraged by what is in front of us.

Therefore, my heart is actually uplifted amidst the storm because I know I have a peace that will carry me through all the storms. Some times, I just need reminding that He is still watching over us and has our best interests at heart.

Official Results

Sorry that it has been a little while since I have updated the blog. There have been several weeks of complications with my sternum from the surgery in September to remove my heart pump. It has landed me three surgeries in the past few months, several antibiotics with a corresponding severe reaction to each, two wounds that we are now dressing every day, and too many nights in the hospital.

Despite all this, I am so thankful to announce that my 6-month post-explant scan of my heart showed my ejection fraction at 40%. (Normal hearts function at 60% and heart failure is defined as anything less than 40%.) So, what I am saying is, I AM OFFICIALLY OUT OF HEART FAILURE!!!! Of course, I will always be treated as a heart failure patient and have to take the heart drugs. And also, my doctors will always be wary of how long I will stay at 40%. But as for me, I am just so thankful that God chose to bless me with this healing. Every day is such a blessing for me.

This weekend at church, a friend was singing about prayer and he pointed out that they had been praying for me for months, and I was so thankful that some times we can actually see how God answers our prayers. And I believe my healing is a direct result of that prayer. So thank you to each person who has prayed for my health; you are a part of the miracle!!