Heart to Heart

Hi everyone,

My name is Casey Ford and heart health has been on my mind lately. This July 24th will be my eighth anniversary since having open-heart surgery. Here's a little history.

I was born with two heart murmurs that the doctors said they would close up as I got older. I went through my life like a normal kid. I played, climbed trees, and rode my bike around. Every now and then I would notice that my heart would race in unusual circumstances such as reading or sitting in class. Times when I should have a normal resting heart rate.  I complained that I felt scared all the time when I wasn't sure what was happening to my body. As I got older I started to have headaches quite frequently and it was then that my mother decided to have my heart checked up on. I was 16 when I had my first ever EKG. My doctor indeed saw that one of my holes was not closed up yet. He suggested that we go through with a procedure that would plug up the hole to avoid having open-heart surgery done. 

Entering the Cath Lab was frightening but I knew the procedure had to be done. I was sedated and soon woke up in recovery. The first thing I saw was the worried look of my mother's face. She had the doctor come in to explain to me that the procedure had not been successful. He suggested the only alternative would be in fact open-heart surgery. He explained the pros and cons and I knew that it had to be done and better sooner than later. We scheduled my open heart that afternoon for July 24, 2003. 

It was nerve wrecking waiting for this type of procedure at such a tender age of 16 years old but knowing my life would be better I walked into the hospital with bravery. I somehow felt at peace as if I knew everything would be ok.  The nurse asked me if I would like a dose of medicine to calm my nerves. Not knowing the real affect of such medication I agreed and I soon felt woozy and silly.  They took me back to the operating room and turned on some cool rock music. That was the last thing I remember before waking up in recovery. 

Waking up to this procedure is not anything I would wish for my worst enemy. I woke up to a large staff of doctors and nurses leaning over my bedside with one lady saying my name over and over again trying to gain my attention. I was confused and had no idea what was happening to me but that I was in a substantial amount of pain and agony. They had to give me an antidote upon recovery because of the high dose of medication given to me for sedation caused me to stop breathing. I felt all the pain in my chest and wanted so badly to drink water to sooth the dryness in my throat. Soon they were able to give me more medication and I  began my recovery.  

I spent three days in the hospital after my surgery. I was bedridden for the first two days and soon had to get up and walk around. During my time in the hospital I had many visitors form friends, family, and even the other children in recovery. Every day a little girl came to my room to visit who was 5 years old. She has gone through over 7 open-heart surgeries and was scheduled for more as she was born with her heart completely upside down. A girl a little older than me came in to visit me who had the same surgery and told me her story. I was not alone with this type of birth defect and I felt lucky to have had such a successful surgery despite the anesthesia. It was at this point that I felt for these children and others who were suffering in the hospital with me. 

When I went home I started to eat healthy and gain my strength back. I resumed my active life style and soon felt better than before. I knew that this surgery had saved me from a life of pain and medication to keep my wounded heart beating. I know that because of my decision to go through with the procedure I am in much better condition and now I feel like I can do anything. I currently enjoy mountain biking, running, and dancing. I have a hard time wasting my life in front of the television and am always on the go. 

You may be wondering why I have decided to talk about my experience with open-heart surgery. The inspiration for this post is to help others with their difficulties with birth defects, surgeries, and any physical hardship they may be enduring. I have decided to embrace my hardships and change my habits in order to lead a healthy life style that allows me to live the life I want. I have found that eating healthy is the number one most affective way to enhance my goals. The foods that I choose to eat and the faith I have in God have brought me to an exciting time in my life that I am eager to share. Throughout this blog I will be posting health tips and ideas to keep you going in times that are difficult. 

Stay tuned for new ideas to help you promote a heart healthy lifestyle that will keep you up beat, rejuvenated and inspired!