Daughters of Ladies with Heart Disease

• By gracie62
• Posted July 22, 2009 at 2:37 pm
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Christa:
Welcome to WomenHeart! You will find a lot of women on this site diagnosed with heart disease at a young age. There are a few daughters who have posted too! I was 39 when I received my first stent. I was told by my surgeon (I had triple bypass at age 41) that my heart disease started forming in my teens and if I had ever smoked, I would not have survived what I have been through. You will find a lot of information on this site about lifestyle adjustments that can be made.

My daughters are not on here. My oldest is 22 and is married with a 2 year old. My other daughter, at 16, spends her time on Myspace - LOL! I know my daughters have been affected by my heart disease. I had my bypass surgery when my grandson was just 6 months old and had a heart attack 2 weeks later. It was hard on my daughter not knowing if I would be around to see Alex grow up. My 16 year old has her own health issues - rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, thyroid disease and others. It is hard for her to cope with her own issues and the fear of the possibility of me not being around as she matures into adulthood.

This is a good site for women coping with heart diease in general - in their own lives or in their families or other loved ones. These ladies are an unbeliveable source of information, support and inspiration.

Again, welcome to WomenHeart!

Dianna

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• By christalynn11
• Posted July 22, 2009 at 2:43 pm
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I can relate to your comment about your daughter being scared that you would not be around to see your grandchild grow. I admit I think of this often - I'm not married yet nor do I have children, and the idea of not having my mom walking down the aisle with me at my wedding brings tears to my eyes as I write this. Ditto with her being there when I have children as well. She mentioned things all the time about hoping she will be here but as she gets progressively worse sometimes I just don't know what will happen.

I love to crochet and so do many of my girlfriends. I'm attempting to get in contact with WomenHeart for more information and items in order to begin making HeartScarves. I'm hoping to begin a local chapter of young women willing to create, donate and support this cause in my area.

Thanks for the reply - As much as I love the sillyness of my own Facebook account, I'm here in hopes I can connect and find some common ground with others who has either personally been through this or have a close relative or friend who has.

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• By Winglover
• Posted July 22, 2009 at 4:50 pm
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Welcome!
I am a daughter of heart disease also. A whole family of it as a matter of fact. I lost my Mom at age 61, Dad at 68 , and my brother at the age of 22. Most of my adult life I have spent worrying that I would also have the same fate. Doctors wrote me off that I was crazy for thinking that. I have been spared, but my 16 year son was diagnosed last year with Dilated Cardiomyopathy. It was because of him that I sought out this site for information. I can relate to your fears regarding your Mom. You have found a wonderful site here. You should find what you're looking for here!
God Bless,
Lisa

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• By Ecksunbeam
• Posted July 23, 2009 at 8:15 am
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Dear Christalynn,

I am a mother with heart disease of a 30-year-old daughter. When you voice your concerns, I suspect you are also voicing her concerns.

First, it's important to know exactly the kind of heart disease your mother has, what the treatments are and, in that regard, you might be able to support her in getting the proper medical care or encouraging her in making necessary lifestyle changes. At one point, my daughter and her boyfriend bought me a membership to a gym (in addition to physical therapy) when it was questionable whether I would regain my ability to walk. I found that to be extremely considerate, loving and helpful.

My best advice to you regarding your mom, however, is that you just love her in the best way you know how. Love is the mosting healing medicine in the universe. Take her out to breakfast or a movie from time to time. You might be surprised--we don't expect all that much. I don't think it's the length of time we live that is nearly as important and the quality of life we live. If you have not been particulary demonstative about it up to this point, it helps to make a conscientious effort to be more affectionate and let the people you love KNOW that you love them. At your age, it's important for you to move on into your own adult life. I just suggest you don't leave your mom out of the equation.

As for you--educate yourself so you do not find yourself in the same predicament in the future. In just the past 10 years tremendous advancements have been made in reseach and treatment of heart disease in women. Study the risk factors, and avoid them like the plague. One good result of my heart disease is that it has encouraged my own daughter to not smoke, eat very healthy, and to become involved in athletic events. I believe that much of the heart disease prevalent in my generation is just plain ignorance. The information for preventing or recognizing it was just not out there. Such is no longer the case.

And--you might want to refer your mom to this site--take a little of the worry and pressure off you :--)

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

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