My 30th: Part 1 – Boston

I pretty much started focusing on my 30th birthday right after I got sick.

Pre-heart condition, I always pictured spending my 30th around friends while having my own version of Brent's beer-tasting party. But that all changed. I quickly developed a "bucket-list mentality" and knew the best thing for me was to just get away.

Brent left the location completely up to me. I think that's why it took me 5 months to finalize it. I told Brent we were definitely going to the west coast – the debate being between Portland or Seattle. Then one day I changed my mind and never looked back.

Boston and Cape Cod were what I needed.

DAY 1

In Boston, we stayed at the Marriott Courtyard in Chinatown. We did this because we had Marriott points. Even if it wasn't free though, it was a great hotel and walking distance to a lot of things – including several subway stations.

Once unpacked, the first thing we did was leave Boston and take the red line over to Cambridge to see Harvard. Brent and I are a sucker for a college campus – the older the better, so this destination was a given. The campus was beautiful, and we loved the Cambridge Square area.

We ate burgers at Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage, which was feature on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. (Wherever Brent and I go, we always go to at least one DDD restaurant). I had The People's Republic of Cambridge:

Then we went to a Red Sox game. I know it's blasphemy, but I'm not a baseball fan. That said, I love baseball stadiums. And going to Fenway during their 100th anniversary was a once in a lifetime experience.

Our hotel was across the street from Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. We stopped there for a night cap (aka: try all their beers. The pumpkin was the winner.

DAY 2

I know it's an old person thing, but I love a good tour – and since today was my birthday, Brent couldn't deny me. If you're not in a city for long – it's the best way to see all the sights. We did the Hop On, Hop Off Trolley Tour, and it was worth the $34.95. As suggested, we did the entire tour once and then hopped off the second time at the stops that intrigued us.

We went to Charleston to see the U.S.S. Constution:

The Holocaust Memorial:

Back to Cambridge to see MIT:

Enjoyed cupcakes in Antique Row:

Had several beers at the Cheers bar:

 Saw the shortest suspension bridge:

And hung out with the duck statues in the Public Gardens:

The tour also included a free harbor cruise:

That night, Brent and I had dinner at Giacomos. I found this Italian restaurant on Yelp – with more than 700 reviews – it maintained a 4.5 star rating. How can you say no to that? Brent declared the cesaer salad as the best he's ever had. The crab cakes with corn salsa were fabulous, as was my lobster ravioli was cream sauce. I'm drooling was thinking about that meal.

This is the part of the story where I played "good wife" and we went to a sports bar to watch the rest of the Kansas State game. As a Kansas grad and someone who finds football boring, this was my least favorite part of the trip. Since KSU beat Oklahoma though, this is one of Brent's favorite parts of the trip. Sigh.

Day 3

We were in our rented Jetta by 10 and ready to start the next leg of our journey...Plymouth.

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.