Written by Kristina O’Connell, Chief Marketing Officer, Thrive
Kristina (right), and her sister, Sharron (left)
Sharron was a strong, young athlete. She noticed that her heartbeat would sometimes become irregular, but life moved forward, and so did Sharron. Years passed, and after two decades of trying to have a child, Sharron was dealing with another health challenge: a climbing blood pressure, in need of monitoring and medication.
A pivotal moment came when Sharron went to the hospital for a routine heart procedure. Her doctors made a shocking discovery: Sharron’s heart had a significant Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) and a large aneurysm with over 40 holes on the front of her heart. The surgeon described it as a “swiss cheese” heart. The very next day, she underwent open heart surgery, which changed the course of her future.
I remember the day my sister called me with news. We had just lost both of our parents within six months—both to heart issues. Our mother endured multiple open-heart surgeries, including a valve replacement, and eventually was told she needed a heart transplant to survive. She opted not to receive the transplant and only made it to 59 years old. Six months after her passing, our father died of a massive coronary. I was naturally anxious about the call.
Three months after her surgery, Sharron became pregnant at 40 years old. Her body, previously unable to sustain a pregnancy, was finally ready. The care she received did not just repair her heart; it reset her body and made her dream of motherhood possible. Since then, Sharron has welcomed two beautiful, healthy daughters into her life.
Between Sharron’s two daughters and my three, our family has grown to include five amazing children who, unfortunately, will never meet their grandparents. This shared loss serves as a powerful reminder for both Sharron and me to carefully monitor our heart health, determined to be present for our kids in ways our parents could not be for us.
We approach the age at which our mother passed away, and it has inspired introspection about our lifestyles and the vulnerability of life itself.
Sharron’s journey is a testament to resilience, the advances in medical science, and the enduring power of hope. Through our challenges and triumphs, our family draws strength and inspiration, cherishing each day with our children and holding dear the lessons of our shared past.
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week is February 7-14.
Approximately 2.4 million children and adults are thought to be living in the U.S. with congenital heart disease. Despite major advances in care, complex congenital heart defects remain associated with significant risk, and some forms still carry increased mortality during the first year of life.
The American Heart Association works with the Children’s Heart Foundation to co-fund the Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards program. This program is a collaborative investment of funds by the two organizations for medical professionals to better understand and treat congenital heart defects.