SECOND ANNIVERSARY- JULY 27

ckgoduto
  • By ckgoduto
  • Posted July 21, 2008 at 7:53 pm · 25 replies
0 Recommendations

I am coming up to my second year anniversary of being diagnosed with profound cardiomyopathy. When you are first diagnosed you wonder how you will make it through and how much longer you will live. Doctors won't tell you the statistics but it is somewhat grim when you are first diagnosed with a class 3 heart failure. I used to carry the phone with me everywhere I went in the house just in case I had to call 911. I felt like I was a walking time bomb.

Then I got by Biventricular Pacemaker/Defibullator and my whole attitude changed. I am no longer out of breath and can do most of the things I used to do. It is a wonderful feeling.

I take one day at a time and thank God for each additional day I have.

Still living and loving it .........................

Christine

25 replies

Bronte
  • By Bronte
  • Posted July 21, 2008 at 8:17 pm

Christine,
I am so glad you are feeling better and thriving. You are an inspiration. I have CHF and know how the symptoms shortness of breathe ect changes you life. I have not had a pacemaker yet but may need one someday.

Deb

1spudcat
  • By 1spudcat
  • Posted July 21, 2008 at 10:37 pm

Wow Christine, I have followed your posts and you have been through so much! How great it is to hear that despite your profound cardiomyopathy and all the challenges it throws at you that your Biventricular Pacemaker/Defibullator has impacted your quality of life in such a positive and significant way. So glad your "still living and loving it". Your words inspire me. Thank you for sharing. Ruth

epperson405

I am so happy for you that you have found a way to love life and live it. Keep the faith and be happy! Everyday isn't going to be roses but we can make it be lots of buds. I was taught half is better than none. Be happy don't worry I love that song. God doesn't want us sitting around thinking of our illness or death he wants us to give it to Him and Live life and be happy. You have a good attitude so keep it up I am proud of you.
Love in Christ,
Margo

lkay
  • By lkay
  • Posted July 22, 2008 at 9:02 am

Christine,
You are such a positive poster on this site- I am so glad you are here to share your experiences and outlook.

Happy anniversary wishes to you,
Laura

eviefor3
  • By eviefor3
  • Posted July 22, 2008 at 9:04 am

christine,
the day that the docs tell you news like this is rather devastating isn't it? but you find a way to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and carry on. did they tell you how long "they.....the experts...the doctors" tell you how long you could be realistically expected to live with the condition? mine gave me 5 years....nice huh? i was diagnosed in march of 2003 with dilated cardiomyopathy,bradycardia,left bundle branch block and extremely low ef. i changed doctors......the next docs i went to put me in their heart failure clinic.......felt like that was a place that was just going to assist me in preparing to die (i am sure that that wasn't really it ,now, but at the time). i changed doctors again. in 2004 i got my first bi-vent as well. i'm not sure that it ever made me feel better physically, but mentally i have been in the clouds with it. what peace of mind it has brought to my life. at this point also, i feel that i have beaten the odds...in march it was 5 years....my goal now is 10.......but, i will LIVE every day so that if i don't make my 10 years, i would have not as many regrets. my family would have enjoyed my company and i would have done it my way, not the doctors.

so, congratulations on the 2 years and best wishes for many many more.
evie

Leenie
  • By Leenie
  • Posted July 22, 2008 at 11:07 am

Congratulation, on your 2 years and I also wish you many more. I alway carry my phone with me where ever I go. I suffered A SCA on 3-19 07, So I live with that fear all the time I also suffered a TBI because of lack on oxigin. See they don't have spell check on this. LOL. It help me to try and write notes to people. sorry for the spell!! Hang in there. Leenie

arizona1
  • By arizona1
  • Posted July 22, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Your life and anniversary are much to shout about.
You have made it!!!!

Kathi

ckgoduto
  • By ckgoduto
  • Posted July 23, 2008 at 12:18 am

Dear Evie,

Belated congratulations on your 5th anniversary. You sure do sound like me. I was getting the same statistics you got at the time diagnosis. I hope I can beat the odds too.

People take a look at me and can't believe that I have such a bad heart because I look perfectly okay. Since I was diagnosed as a Class 3 at first I was given the okay for a handicapped parking sticker, and that little card is really nice to have. My own family doesn't believe I'm as sick as the doctors say, and they don't realize that my life expectancy has been shortened.

One of your Heart Sisters,

Christine

Ecksunbeam

Way to go, Christine!

Sherrie

cookie57
  • By cookie57
  • Posted July 24, 2008 at 7:48 am

Congratulations. I am new to this site but I have read back on some of your posts. You certainly have been through the wringer but you still have such a positive and smiling way that brightens up my whole day. You truly are an inspiration to all. Thank you and I hope you enjoy many many more anniversaries.

Cookie

Rose
  • By Rose
  • Posted July 25, 2008 at 8:58 am

Happy anniversary, you are a remarkable woman and an inspiration to us all. I hope the 27th is a day of celebration for you.

Warm Regards,

Rose

ckgoduto
  • By ckgoduto
  • Posted July 25, 2008 at 7:49 pm

July 27th is also my daughter's birthday and it was my parents wedding annivesary date besides being my heart anniversary.

We will be taking my daughter and her baby to the "Bristol Renaissance Faire" in Kenosha, WI on Sunday. It's lots of fun for old and young. The employees are all dressed up in traditional renaissance era clothing. A lot of the people who attend also dress up. There are things like mudd fights, jousting, music, shopping and of course all the food in the world that anyone could possibly eat. The queen always appears in a parade and everyone hails the queen. All the employees talk with the renaissance accent which is kind of cute to hear.
Some people make it a tradition and go states that have the faires.

Whole trouble is it is always very "HOT" walking around all day in the steamy sun. There are no air conditioning buildings around. There are lots of "Privies" (outdoor Toilets) too.

Thanks ladies,


Christine

martzj
  • By martzj
  • Posted July 26, 2008 at 9:31 am

HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY CHRISTINE!!

Enjoy your day at the Faire! Isn't this a superb switch from what you were going through not that long ago.

Here's to the next year ER free!!! (smile) Stock up on Pedialyte and chicken soup, keep a nice little overnight bag packed and stashed somewhere hubby can find it easily and then forget about all that. You're good to go, go, go!!!

Take it slow and easy out there,
Jaynie

ckgoduto
  • By ckgoduto
  • Posted July 26, 2008 at 5:04 pm

Thanks Jaynie - there is no way I could ever drink that "pedialyte" It's horrid. Gave the ones I had to my daughter for her baby.

It's suppose to be hot, humid and rainy for our weather tomorrow. Well, we go back to Lake Geneva, Wi on Wednesday thru Fri. maybe we'll get some sun there. Already packed suntan lotion.

When we return I have a doctors appointment for Aug 4th at the neurologist. Sure hope he can tell me why I have so many aches and pains. I've always suspected fibromyalgia.

Regards,

Christine

gracie62
  • By gracie62
  • Posted July 27, 2008 at 12:48 am

Christine:

I waited to comment on your post because I wanted to be among the first on the actual day to wish you a happy anniversary, happy rebirthday (since you got the chance to fight it) and remind you I am always in your corner. You have gone through so much. You remain one of the women I look to on this site to remind me that if they can get through what they have, I can get through too. I wish you nothing but blessings, good health and love -

Always,
Dianna

ckgoduto
  • By ckgoduto
  • Posted July 27, 2008 at 2:04 am

Dear Dianna,

You are the big inspiration on this site, You've gone through so much in the 12 months.

Keep healthy,

Christine

lkay
  • By lkay
  • Posted July 27, 2008 at 8:45 am

Christine,

Happy, happy anniversary to you. You are an inspiration to us all.

Enjoy this and every day!
Laura

scarlettsmommy

Christine! I am so thrilled... Happy Anniversary!!

sue
  • By sue
  • Posted July 28, 2008 at 10:16 am

Christine,

Happy Anniversary to you!! You have come a long way and you keep going, and going, and going...

We went to the Sandwich IL antique fair yesterday. The heat got the best of me, but after a cold soda and a sandwich, and a huge cloud cover, I was able to stay another hour. Hubby wants to go to the WI fair at the end of Sept. I'll give it a try, s/b cooler weather.
We celebrated our 32nd anniversary last Thursday; (quietly) and we threw a (HS) graduation party for our daughter on the 19th.
Have fun in Lake Geneva, don't over do it. Plenty to drink and shade are key!!

Sue

madscientist

Amen Christine! God is good all the time and all the time God is good! My anniversary date of my stroke is January 2, this coming year will make 5 years since!

Add to the discussion

New user? Join here.
Forgot password?
Keep me signed in on this computer until I sign out

Search

Find information and discussion about health topics in 304,425 posts by members like yourself. Learn more...

Join

Join safe, secure groups sponsored by trusted organizations that care about your health. Learn more...

Connect

Connect with 80,784 members and make friends who share your interests, learn about conditions and treatments, find support and more. Learn more...

You