Health update...10 months later

Post-partum cardio myopathy is a disease that affects the heart’s left ventricular ejection fraction (basically you don't produce enough oxygen for your body, causing your heart to work overtime and become enlarged). While what causes PPCM is predicted to be hormone-related, what the actual trigger is, is unknown. What is known is that PPCM starts somewhere between the last month of pregnancy and the first five months post-partum. Somewhere between 1 in a 1,000-4,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with this heart disease.


I had my 9 month echo in September, and while I have a ways to go, I was really happy with my progress. My ejection fraction (EF) is at 30-35%. (A normal EF is between 50-60%. When I was first admitted onto the cardiac floor in January, my EF was 15%).

So, while I still have 15-20% to go, hitting 30 (or possibly above) is huge.

Some EF percentage milestone:
- At 30% of higher, the risk of cardiac arrest has lowered greatly and is now closer to that of a normal persons
- At 40% the pacemaker conversation goes away
- At 40%, while I wouldn't be fully recovered, I would have a normal life expectancy
- At 50%, I would be considered fully recovered (and would finally get doctor approval for cardiac activity)

On the scary flip side, a decrease in EF would be cause to skip the pacemaker and start talking heart transplant.

My next echo (and cardiology appointment) isn't until March. Dr. M is really happy with my progress and thinks all my new medications (and higher dosages) are doing the trick. After my appointment, Dr. M bumped me up to the highest beta blocker dosage possible. Medicine adjustments are hard, but I've gotten used to be exhausted that following week.

As for how I'm doing, I'm having a lot of good days now. Sadly, those good days are always followed by a bad day. I know it's because when my energy is high, I now get excited and want to do as much as possible. Dr. M refers to this as a "heart hangover."

I learned the hard way in August, that having a weakened heart also means having a weakened immune system. I was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia for 4 days, because my body couldn't break a 103 degree fever. I now have a pneumonia vaccine, so at least that illness is now crossed off my list for awhile.

This is the second time since May that I've gone to the ER with a scare. I must say I feel so medically saavy when I talk to the check-in attendant "I have PPCM with an EF of..." It always gets their attention, and there's no waiting room waiting for this girl.

Yep. I'm always looking on the bright side.

Photos!...And some excuses

Worst. Blogger. Ever.

In my defense I've had a lot going on. It's football season, so we're away on the weekends a lot now. Brent and I also celebrated my 30th in Boston and Cape Cod. Then several days later, my neighbor friend and I threw our 2nd annual block party. And that doesn't include the photo shoots for Audrey I was obsessing about planning. Then next weekend, I'm co-hosting a twins baby shower at my house. And in the last month I've also had another echo...oh, and the month prior I was admitted into the hospital for 4 days with pneumonia. So yeah, just a tad busy.

But more on all of that in future posts.

One of the things I'm most excited about are the family photos I just had done. Aside from the random, drunken Christmas Eve photos I have with my family (see, you thought I was exaggerating), we haven't had any done since Brent's and my wedding 5 years ago (holy cow, it's been 5 years!). And now that we have Audrey, it was definitely time.

My friend Brooke with Brooke German Photography took them, and I love them.

Four generations shot (one that isn't in the hospital!):

Those are just a few of my favorites, but it really was hard to pick.

And a month earlier than that, we did some 7 month photos with Top Spot Photography.

It's shaping up to be a picture-heavy fall, and I couldn't be happier about it.

6 months

I don't know how Audrey is 6 months, but she is. Time is flying. She's 18 lb. 8 oz. and 27.25" tall – 90th percentile in both. Yep, she's my big girl.  :)

Happy 4th!

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th!

Aside from the pinwheel, Audrey was definitely not a fan of the day. She spent most of her day napping or being cranky.
 

I'm still working on removing the wallpaper in the hall bath. What I thought would be an easy task, turned into 3 times the challenge (aka: 3 layers of wallpaper). I'm finally on the last layer though, so the end is in sight!

Audrey picture time!

I can't believe how big she's gotten. She's now rolling and grabbing and always wants to be doing something.

Brent, Audrey and I also went up to Omaha several weekends ago to meet our new nephew, Marcos. I can't wait until they start playing together!

Third times a charm (another health update)

I had my third-opinion appointment yesterday, and let's just say it was a major success. This was my first visit to a cardiologist where I didn't cry afterward and then mope around for the rest of the day.

Dr. M specializes in pregnancy and the heart. This includes women with my condition (post-partum/peri-partum cardio myopathy) as well as women with previous heart conditions who want to get pregnant and post-partum heart care. He was extremely informative, and Brent and I felt extremely at ease with him.

He also gave me the fabulous news that he thought I was doing great (even if my heart's ejection fraction is still extremely low). He said the fact that I was feeling good and being active, spoke volumes...and the best thing for PPCM is medical therapy and time.

Starting last night, my "medical therapy" changed. I'm on a new beta blocker (one that won't lower my blood pressure), this way I'll be able to steadily increase my dosage later on. My ace inhibitor has been doubled, and then I'm on a new medicine as well.

I'm excited for the change, and once again have optimism in my journey, which is definitely the best medicine.

Featured!

I'm so thankful to tell my PPCM story on my friend Amanda's blog today. When I originally wrote my my journey for this blog, I kept it simple and stuck with the facts of what was happening to me. I'm honored to be able to rewrite my story, and most importantly, educate others about this pregnancy-induced form of congestive heart failure.


In other exciting news, Audrey's nursery was featured on Baby Lifestyles earlier this month.