"Lauren’s Heart Journey"

“Hi! My name is Lauren. I’m 36 years old (I’ll be 37 on August 25!) and was born with CHDs called: Tricuspid Atresia, Hypoplastic Right Ventricle, a Large VSD, and multiple muscular ASD or simply put I have half a functioning heart. I wasn’t diagnosed until 11 weeks old and in heart failure. I’ve had 3 open hearts so far in my life: the PA Banding at 5 months old, the Fontan with Glenn at 27 months old, and the Fontan Revision with a Maze procedure, right atrium reduction, an artery repaired, and pacemaker implanted at age 34. I’ve also had multiple heart caths, a balloon atrial septostomy upon diagnosis, 2 cardiac ablations, hundreds of tests, hundreds of pokes, and so on. I also have a few other medical issues like Congenital Strabismus (I’ve had 3 eye surgeries), ARFID, IBS, Factor V Leiden, Gilbert’s Syndrome, scoliosis, Fontan Associated Liver Disease, PTSD, an anxiety disorder, etc. Living with half a heart definitely isn’t always easy especially the past few several years for me, but I continue to live as full of a life as I can despite whatever challenges my half a heart throws my way. I have so much to be grateful for, I take one day at a time, and enjoy the simple things in life. Growing up I played piano, did family theater, did Girls Scouts for 4yrs, played bowling from PreK-12 grade (earned my HS varsity letter in bowling), babysat a lot from ages 14-21, etc. I have a BA in psychology, I’m a homemaker, a huge CHD & mental health advocate, like to collect coins (including pressed pennies) & watching YouTube, enjoy a good comedy or romance film/show, I’m left handed, love soft blankets, never got any wisdom teeth, favorite color & animal since a kid is purple & elephants, kind of an introvert, enjoy couponing/bargain hunting, love to read & listen to music (fav is 80s & 90s), enjoy organizing, like to write & working on my memoir, still enjoy bowling & putt putt is fun, want to re-learn to play piano, love making people smile & laugh, enjoy learning about history (enjoy going to museums), been in the CHD community (my 2nd family) for over 16yrs now, & much more. I keep a hopeful heart always. Sending hugs and blessings to all!”