It all starts six years ago when I got married. After our honeymoon I went to the ER for possible heart failure. They found "nothing" wrong. Soon we found out I was pregnant. The pregnancy was hard the whole way through. At 20 weeks I knew something wasn't right, but my doctor just said it was "normal" I only gained 5lbs the first 20 weeks. After that I blew up like a balloon! I gained a total of 40lbs of water weight. At 32 1/2 I was admitted because my blood pressure was through the roof. I was in the hospital for three weeks and told I was fine to go home. I prayed the whole time. I didn't think I was going to make it. All the other doctors that saw me kept telling me that they would deliver me, but mine just didn't think I was that bad off or I was just complaining too much. I felt like a truck was on my chest and I would wake up in a panic feeling my heart beat out of my chest. After being home for a week I was sent back to the hospital to be induced. That was on a Thursday night and I had Ella via c-section on Saturday at 3:01am. I kept telling the tech I couldn't breathe. They put my oxgyen up and said that I was fine. After going into the recovery room I needed even more oxygen again. After going to bed that morning I woke with a cough, but couldn't get anything up. All things that I know now as congestive heart failure. I was good for the whole day until 6pm. I just got off the phone with my husband and told him to stay home since he just got off work and was with me all night long. I suddenly couldn't breathe again. I called the nurse and she just up my oxygen again. Soon the alarms were beeping and my oxygen level was going lower and lower. I saw my baby in the corner praying I could stay here on earth and be her mama. They started nebulizing me thinking that would help. I could feel myself drowning. I started to pull out my IV I knew that thing was killing me. Finally they figured out my heart was in trouble and rushed me to the heart hospital which was connected to the hospital I delivered at. They called my husband and told him to get there soon they weren't sure if I would make it. I stayed there over night when I got my dx my ef was 25% when leaving the hospital it was 35%. I was advised not to nurse my baby, but I refused not knowing how long I would have with her. I know now that I did recover more slowly because of my choice. I wouldn't change it for the world though. I was able to nurse her for 6 months before I had to get on the other meds. After I stopped breast feeding I was blessed to be able to find jobs where I could take her with. God had provided! She is the most wonderful little girl. I am so thankful I am her mama. My little prayer warrior prays every nigtht that God heals me so I can have a little bother for her and twin sisters. I pray right along with her! She has taught me so much. She gives me the courage to keep trying!
My Details
- Date Diagnosed: 11/03/2007
- Child: 1
- Initial EF: 25%
- Current EF: 50-55%
Story By Kayta Velasquez