28yrs Post Fontan Today!

Today marked 28 years since my "last planned" open heart, the Fontan. Despite the Fontan's life long challenges and the side effects it has, without it I would not be alive today. The Fontan was still "new" in the medical world when I had it (1971 is when Dr. Fontan came up with the surgery,…

Dad ~ 18 Months

Dad, Today marks 18 months since you passed. It has been 18 months since I last heard your voice. It has been 18 months of having a void in my life...a void that will always be there because you are no longer around, physically anyways. 18 months since my phone has gotten a text or…

I have a Facebook Group now!

Hello All! I decided to make a Facebook Group for anyone interested in following my life journey with CHD and would like to be able to interact with me on a more personal level then just reading my blog.  The Facebook group is called: Lauren B- Adult CHDer/Fontaner with Tricuspid Atresia, HRHS I apologize that…

Blog Post Topic Ideas? And a “Thank You”!

I would love to write another blog post, but I am not sure what about.  What would all of you like to see?  Let me know!  I can just write whatever is on my mind, but I thought I would ask if there is anything specific you all would like me to talk about.  :)…

30th Birthday!

   I turn 30 years old tomorrow (Aug 25)!  I really cannot believe how fast time goes by as it feels like just yesterday I was a kid.  In my 30 years (come tomorrow!) of life I have been through more than most people will ever go through in a lifetime (medically anyways).  I certainly…

Congenital Heart Walk and Doing a Q & A video… Need Some Questions

Hello Everyone! I mentioned back in my CHD journey post that I am one of the Co-Chairs of the Central Texas Congenital Heart Walk.  I wanted to share a bit about what the Congenital Heart Walk is and how I got involved. I moved to Texas (Central Texas area) in July 2014.  I have been…

Links to Places I have shared my CHD Journey with in the Past (Radio, TV, Newspaper, etc.)

Hello Everyone! I hope you all have been enjoying my blog so far.  Thank you to all my new blog followers!  Means a lot to me that so many are interested in my life. The past 9 years that I have been part of the Congenital Heart Defect/Disease (CHD) community on and off line I…

My CHD Journey… so far

*Last Updated: March 2018* Here is it!  What many have been waiting for... my Congenital Heart Defect/Disease (CHD) Journey thus far.  I added lots of pictures to break up the writing a bit, plus everyone loves pictures. Enjoy! I was born August 25, 1987, a supposedly healthy baby girl.  I was taken home and thrived. …

Quick Introduction Post

Hey All! I thought I would write a quick introduction post sharing the main characters (aka my family) in my life. But first!  If you would like to follow my blog, their is a subscribe button on my blog's right side bar up top that says "Follow "A Hopeful Heart" via email".  I plan on…

I am Back at it…Blogging Again!

Well, it has been three years since I last blogged, but here I am once again. Miss me?!?! Ha! Those select few of you who are Facebook friends with me have had the pleasure of seeing my deep thought posts without having to ever miss them... lucky you right?! Haha. I had stepped away from…