My Little Life-Changing Miracles
I hadn't felt quite right since I had my first daughter, Emma, in May 2003. But as any mom with a newborn knows, there is just no time for you. At about 16 weeks into my second pregnancy, I told my ob-gyn, Dr. Robert L. Thompson, that I hadn't been feeling right. My blood pressure was high and my heart rate was through the roof. The medication I was taking to control the fast heart rate wasn't working. Dr. Thompson recommended me to a cardiologist, Dr. Fred Sherman.
November 4, 2004 was the day that changed my life forever. I went to see Dr. Sherman. First, a nurse named Debbie conducted an exam. Then Dr. Sherman came in to perform an echo. It was getting late, and no one else was in the office but my 1-year-old daughter and me. I felt bad the staff stayed late for me. But I remember watching their faces as they did the echo; they look amazed.
To the right: Olivia Robison, Caleb Horner, Alia Robison, Chloe Horner, Brian Horner, and Emma Robison
Dr. Sherman told me I had Pregnancy-Induced Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Basically, my heart muscle was so weak that it was only functioning at about 30 percent. It is life threatening and even more dangerous during pregnancy. He told me not to worry, and that we would figure it out. And that is exactly what he did.
With the help of Dr. Sherman and the amazing doctors of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) group, I faced no complications, and Olivia was born a healthy, full-term baby In January of 2005. Dr. Sherman warned about how dangerous it would be to conceive again. Pregnancy with my heart condition is very dangerous. I followed up with my cardiologist every three months and was doing well again. Then, when Emma, my first child, was 4 and Olivia was about 2, I found out I was expecting again. My husband, Brian, and I were terrified.
I immediately made an appointment with MFM for an ultrasound. When the nurse said that both heartbeats looked good, I thought she meant mine and the baby's. But then she said, “Would you like to see them?” I was wondering about the “them” as the nurse turned the screen to me and said, “There's baby ‘A’ and baby ‘B.’” I rushed over to Dr. Sherman’s office. He thought I was just visiting until I showed him the ultrasound. He simply told me that we would get through this, too. And we did.
With very close monitoring from all the doctors at MFM, especially Dr. Daftary, Dr. Jeyabalan, Dr. Simhan, and Dr. Caritis, my twins, Caleb and Chloe, were born seven weeks early and remained in Magee’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) only a few weeks.
When I look at my children, I thank God every day that these doctors were placed in my life. I have four amazing children, and quite honestly, I wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for Magee. Dr. Sherman and all the MFM doctors truly made me feel like I was their only patient. They went above and beyond the call of duty and I can't thank them enough. Thanks to all the doctors who helped save my life-changing miracles.
Our Commitment: Women & Heart Disease, Pregnancy Complications
Opportunities for Giving
|
