Friday, July 21, 2017

Changes Coming

I'm going to re-do my blog so the layout and designs might change a lot until I get it how I want it! If you see any weird things on the blog design, that's why :)

Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Update!

Hi everyone! It has been a long time since I last posted and so much has happened since then. I have been getting a lot of emails and comments, asking if the stem cells have helped me. I want to apologize for not responding to you all yet. I am working on an update and will try and respond to you very soon!

I haven't responded to your emails and comments yet because I've been very sick. In March, I had sepsis from my port. I was admitted to the hospital on March 15th and was put in ICU. I was in kidney failure and on dialysis, had pulmonary embolisms in both lungs, pneumonia in both lungs, liver failure, heart failure, spleen problems, and they found a mass in my heart. The mass was infection and it had also wrapped itself around my tricuspid heart valve. After over 2 weeks in one hospital, they moved me next door to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital because I had to have open heart surgery once I was stable enough to survive the surgery. During the open heart surgery, they removed the mass of infection and tried to save my tricuspid heart valve. The mass had wrapped around that valve. After putting me off and on bypass 3 times, my heart surgeon realized that he couldn't fix the valve. So he removed it and then replaced it with a mechanical valve. It's not something they want to do on a 24 year old, but I needed it to save my life. I've had 3 other heart surgeries after my open heart surgery and had pacemaker put in because the open heart surgery was so extensive and damaged part of my heart. I'm now 100% dependent on the pacemaker. My port was also removed immediately when I was admitted to the hospital and was put in ICU.
I was in Mercy hospital for over 2 weeks and then was in the Heart Hospital for over 3 weeks, so I was in the hospital for almost 6 weeks total. I came home April 21st! I was in ICU the whole time, even discharged from ICU which rarely happens!

I just got out of the hospital after a 2 week stay and another heart surgery where they discovered that my mechanical heart valve wasn't working because of a blood clot. I was in heart failure because of that. I got home a week ago today!

We are so grateful for all of you who have prayed for me. God listened and performed miracles that the doctors couldn't explain!

I can't wait to share with you all that God has done. Thank you for being patient with me! Thank you so much for your support and prayers! Please keep it up! I'm obviously still dealing with some issues and am recovering from all my surgeries. It's a long journey and recovery, but God is with me every step. Love you all!

Here are a few pictures.


Walking for one of the first times after my open heart surgery!




10 days after my open heart surgery they put in a pacemaker



My ICU room had lots of windows and great views



It's crazy that this is all inside me. You can even see my sternum wires under my skin.





This is from my recent 2 week hospitalization. This picture was after my most recent heart surgery (not open heart). I came home a week ago today! The bear is what they give you to hold against your sternum when you cough or sneeze or something.




Walking after surgery- chest tube and all!







Put on a little makeup for my going home celebration!