Tag: Congenital Heart Defect

Wonder Woman & The Waiting Game
Health and Wellness

Wonder Woman & The Waiting Game

Gena ElamLeave a comment

It has been quite the ride for me over the last seven months. At the moment, I am in a state of waiting. This is a state of impatience at nauseam that is both mind-boggling and heart wrenching. Over the last few days I have had some tests done at the cardiologist. I am praying and pleading for the outcome I want. God - waiting working

Today I am hoping to hear back from my doctor with those test results. It is a fine, tightrope of a line that I find myself on. One result will mean another open heart surgery, and probably soon. The other will send me back to the drawing board where I have been for the last 10 months. I am more fearful of the latter. Isn’t that something… Continue reading “Wonder Woman & The Waiting Game” →

What If…
Christian · Health and Wellness · Spiritual

What If…

Gena Elam2 Comments

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

– Joshua 1:9

It’s been a while since I have had much to say.  This blog was created as a place so I could share my story with other congenital heart patients.  Being one of the oldest living patients with my condition, I tend to be some what of a rarity.  Sometimes it’s really cool.  Other times it can be quite intimidating. 2016 has actual knocked me on my strong little bum more than once.  The beauty is, this little lady never stays down very long.

I do have to say the last two months however, have opened my eyes to an entirely new world.  Our world, this big fantastic place full of so much wonder, seems to be in so much turmoil.  It’s actually very heartbreaking.  When you realize how short and precious life really is, it should be about finding your joy.  What makes you laugh out loud, love wildly and want to dance in the rain with you hands in the air? We are all human.  We all bleed red and we all return to ash when we go.  So why do we spend centuries fighting, hating and arguing? I think in part it has to do with fear.  We are all afraid of something. Of dying, or not finding our love, our happiness or of being heard.   Continue reading “What If…” →

fitness · Health and Wellness

Pumped Full of Joy

Gena Elam2 Comments

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” – 1 Peter 1:8

Can I tell you that lately I have been feeling amazing?!!  Really!  I feel the best I have in my entire life.  I have been in the gym like a BEAST.  Like a real girl, with a whole heart!  God is so good.  Joy is pumping in my veins and my spirit like a rush of adrenaline right before you drop in a roller coaster ride.  I am on fire and I can’t say enough happy things. Continue reading “Pumped Full of Joy” →

Christian · Health and Wellness · Spiritual · Surgery Specific

Tears In My Eyes

Gena Elam6 Comments

Verse of the Day:
“…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

This last month and a half has kicked me in the gut.  Period.  But the last week has really been the most daunting, yet beautiful.  Funny how that works out sometimes.   The week following Easter I am finding joy in all my sorrow.

For those of you closest to me you know I have been dealing with a personal battle, one that I won’t share… but now I am facing another physical battle.  I went to the cardiologist last week… these dang appointments… I should just stop going.  I have been saying it for years.  Haha! I went because I feel like crap again… well I mean my heart feels like someone is squeezing all the juice out of it every 10 it 15 minutes.  And then I am fine… and then it happens again…  This my dear friends is called a PVC, or my pacemaker is pacing my ventricle.  I only have one so it’s that one… LOL! Basically it feels awful and I want to rip the thing right out of my body, but I can’t because my atrium no longer beats at all without it… I mean at all… nothin’… GREAT!! Continue reading “Tears In My Eyes” →

Christian · Health and Wellness · Random

Aches and Pains

Gena Elam5 Comments

Verse of the Day:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5

Today has been a tough day. I am exhausted, my body is sore and I can’t seem to shake this dizziness and headache. No to mention an out of control cough and chest pain I can’t seem to kick, and this weird heart beat… Blah, blah, blah… poor me, right?! That’s what I think! I mean working moms probably feel this way everyday… jeez, get over it already!

Continue reading “Aches and Pains” →

Health and Wellness · Spiritual · Surgery Specific

Dear Diary – I am getting a shiny new valve

Gena Elam7 Comments

Verse of the Day:
“Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desire, but rather for the will of God.” – 1 Peter 4:1-2

This post is an entry from my diary. It is ramblings of how I was feeling 24 hours before my heart surgery and the weeks following. I am sharing this because I have been emailed by several people recently who are facing similar surgeries. It is not an easy path. It is very scary to say the least. I hope it helps  someone by hearing my point of view. May God bless those going through tough times.

Continue reading “Dear Diary – I am getting a shiny new valve” →

Health and Wellness

Open Heart Surgery – The Fontan Procedure

Gena Elam4 Comments

Verse of the Day

Isaiah 40:31
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

My story begins at birth. Due to the fact that I was born with my heart defect in 1978 there wasn’t a whole lot of options back then other than wait and see what happens. I had blue lips, fingers, and toes and I was underweight all my life. I was sick, but I felt ok. Normal for me, though, I couldn’t play as much as my friends because I would get tired easily and that frustrated me but for the most part I had a great childhood. Well, minus all the heart caths and checkups that is. I started to get really sick around 10 and 11 years old. My energy level was decreasing and my heart size was increasing. So in 1991 the doctors told my parents that I need to have heart surgery to live. It was that simple. The Fontan procedure wasn’t being done in Houston at the time and the best place to have it done was The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. So that’s where we went. I went up in 1991 for a review, checkup, and meet and greet with the doctors. The next summer on June 26, 1992 I had my very first open heart surgery. Continue reading “Open Heart Surgery – The Fontan Procedure” →