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My Story [ Edit ]
My Story ... WOW, where do I begin? I am The Youngest of 3 Children ~~ My Twin Brother & Sister & then came Me ... The Baby (LOL). I was born in a time where we were not privy to the marvels of Modern Day Science as we are today. When a woman is carrying a baby these days, there are SO many different devices, machines and testing that can determine whether a Baby is developing in a Healthy Manner while in The Womb. While I was in My Mother's Womb, this was not the case. It was not until I was born that my parents were delivered the Devastating news that their Baby Girl's Heart was "Sick". Being that I was So Very Young and Weak, Surgery was not even an Option. My parents would only find out later that The Doctors did not expect for me to Survive as My Heart Affliction was not the only issue affecting My Health. There was also a large sac of fluid forming at the base of my skull and growing very rapidly. This Ailment was later identified as Hydrocephalus (Fluid On The Brain). These VERY Compassionate Doctors who were Excellent at what they do had somehow managed to stabilize M y Heart (for the time being anyway) during my long hospital stay and determined that the fluid rapidly forming on my brain was a more urgent issue that needed to be dealt with as Brain Damage was a VERY REAL Reality. It was decided that I would undergo Surgery and that a device called a VP Shunt would be placed (the bulb of the device at the top back portion of My Skull & the tubing that drains the fluid extending down my right side where the fluid would drain). There was a long and scary Recovery Time for me as it was told to me but the Shunt was in working condition. Unfortunately, the issue with My Heart would not and could not be ignored any longer. Postponing The Surgery was no longer an Option. I underwent Open~Heart Surgery shortly thereafter. Suffice it to say, my hospital stay was lengthy. My learning to walk was definitely impacted by Both Surgeries and I was Delayed in Many other Capacities as well. Once I began to get a little older and would notice the scar in the Center of My Chest, I of course grew Curious and asked My Mother about it. I could see that just the memories of what she had gone through was still weighing on her and it was like I was reopening old wounds that had not quite healed. I did not want to hurt her and therefore would not push her. Little by little over the years she began to open up. She used to joke that I spent so much time in Hospitals that she had no opportunity to spoil me because the nurses had already taken over that job ... LOL. I can remember as far back as Elementary School being teased about being "chubby". Please understand that I was not an obese child like the poor children that can sometimes be seen on the Talk Shows. But I was definitely overweight.. Let's fast forward to High School where I remained overweight but actually maintained it well with my being VERY tall and being very active in Physical Education and Softball. However, I must admit that once I reached my Mid to Late 20's, I definitely noticed the weight coming on. To make matters worse, although I was still able to utilize my legs to get around, I opted for transportation instead. My Early and Mid 30's saw my mobility declining and along with my legs becoming weaker, the chest pains and shortness of breath became a real problem for me. I've developed Hypertension and have been told that I am Pre~Diabetic (which is how I lost my mother ~~ to a massive stroke). Oh, & don't let me forget to mention that I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnea in January, 2007 and have been on CPAP Therapy ever since. I lost my only brother to this disease at the EARLY age of 30 and am still very traumatized by that. He was nowhere as heavy as I am, with no heart ailment like me and yet we still lost him. I could have just died ... but I did not die. I know that he is watching over me and that he will indeed see me through this procedure. My Faith is So Very Strong and I am Very Content with this decision. Exactly what will happen while on This Journey is uncertain. However, what I am certain of is God did not see me through All of my VERY serious ailments as a child, nor has he continued to watch over me EVERY MOMENT of my existence for me to give up now . As long as God does not give up on me, you can be damned sure I will not give up on me. Life is SO VERY SWEET and I intend to have my fill of it. After all, it's Calorie Free, Fat Free, Sugar Free and it is just DELICIOUS !!! Thank You For Listening, My OH Family. I TRULY appreciate each and everyone of you. Together we will stand Strong.
