CHD is my life; it is all I’ve ever known. I was born into this; I didn’t have a choice or say in the matter. I had to fight many times to live, but I survived; I’m here. From the time I wake up in the morning till the time I go to bed I have little reminders that I have a CHD, that each day I’m ever so blessed and grateful to be alive. These reminders also keep fear with me, fear of the unknown and worry, things that are so hard to push completely out of my mind.
When I wake, as I get dressed I always see those scars on my chest. During breakfast I take medication that helps my heart continue to be strong. While walking I sometimes have to stop, I get out of breathe, I think about it. When I get stressed, I get muscle spasms around my heart (was dignosised with these last year), it reminds me. Through out the day I get tired easily, again I think about it. At 7 O’clock on the dot every day my cell phone alarm goes off, time for my most important heart med, my beta-blocker. Before bed, I automatically take two baby aspirin with a snack, I have a quick of it. When I change into PJ’s, those scars make another appearance. As I lay in bed my chest can hurt, my heart is adjusting, it’s beating slow. I pray, I close my eyes, I never forget. My heart reminds me every day of my life, it affects my life, and it will always be a part of my life.
This CHD has lead to my anxiety disorder, has helped in my stubbornness, has helped me be blunt about things, has given me nightmares, has given me a hidden anger, and has helped me in my very emotional personality. All these negatives of me have been affected by my CHD and are now forever part of my life, BUT…
Though my CHD is a big part of me life and it affects every part of it in some way, I try not to let it define me or hold me back from achieving my dreams. This CHD, though has affected me in negative way throughout my life, it has also affected me in many positive ways too...
My CHD has taught me to be more understanding of people around me. It has taught me to not take life for granted and to love the people you care about with all your heart. It has taught me that family and close friends are the most important things in life. It has taught me to enjoy the simple things in life and to enjoy the small positives of everyday. It brought me together with so many wonderful and amazing people. It has given me a motivation to help others and to always have faith. Lastly, my CHD has affected my personality in the best way possible as it has helped shape my loving, caring, kind, sweet, inspirational, brave, and strong character.
My CHD will never go away, but I will make the very best of it (like I have been) and keep living my life to the fullest!!
With LOTS of Hope, Love, and Faith,
♥
A wonderful photographer photographed me in April of this year for her CHD Awareness Calendar that she was doing. This is her first year doing something like this, but I must say the calendar turned out amazing and she is an awesome photographer!!! Her name is Kimberly Coombs and her regular website is: 
