Heart Disease
After surviving a rare coronary artery dissection and massive heart attack while nine months pregnant, Nefertari has devoted her life to uplifting other heart patients and promoting heart health awareness.
See all posts »Being a Mother with a Semi Broken Heart
On a normal day I would need the energy of six college athletes just to keep up with all of the activities and chores needed to maintain my lifestyle as a mother of five children. However, I don't have that energy--it's just little old me and my semi broken heart.
I say this because my seven year-old told me that it was okay that I don't move around a lot; that she still loves me anyway. Kids are so honest. I needed that reality check. I didn't really know what my kids thought of the "new me." I knew my two oldest remembered the vibrant-full of energy "old me," but the younger children were very little when I had a heart attack.
That comment promoted a family meeting. I explained to my very conservative minded 7 year-old that I had a boo-boo in my heart which is why I can't do as much as other mommies can.
She looked at me with her large bright brown eyes and said "Mom, I know that. I read your blog. I was just saying that you could still put on something pretty sometimes even though your work from your bed."
I know that I shouldn't feel that I must fit into a certain mold in order to keep up with the image of the everyday soccer mom. As a mom with heart disease, I keep a clear understanding of my reality. I very often hear, "Wow, you look great. You don't even look like you have heart disease!" Well, I do. My slow movements and need to sit often are because I have a weak heart and the last thing I need is to worry about how others may think of me!
Having a disability is not my fault and I must not be hard on myself when I am unable to do what most expect from a mother of five children. I do my best, I take my time and accept my life for what it is.
I may not look the "part," (whatever "the part" looks like) but I live with a semi-broken heart. It beats too rapidly at times, my lungs fill up with fluid often and I even swell sometimes beyond recognition. However, I don't let that stop me. I am a mother of five living with heart disease and I do it with pride!!!
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