Hey All! If you’re new to the blog, thanks for stopping by!
This is by far one of my favorite blog posts to write and allow me to put my experience in writing. I have suffered most of my childhood with debilitating headaches, auras and there would be days where I would suffer without an end. I tried medications and had all different tests, but years went by and nothing had changed.
In May of 2016, it all changed. I was diagnosed with a PFO. For those who are unfamiliar with a PFO, it stands for Patent foramen ovale or much simpler a hole in the heart in the upper chambers. Every single baby is born with this hole, but in 25% of people it doesn’t close, causing risks such as strokes or in my case, major headaches. Many doctors cannot prove headaches to be a symptom of a PFO, but it seemed to be the one factor that triggered my body to know that something was wrong.
In July of 2016, a doctor took a chance in closing my PFO, knowing that closing it could only give me a better life. I would no longer risk the chance of a major cardiac event and it would be closed by a small umbrella device. The device was installed on the sixth and immediately the headaches went away. It was a miracle to go back to living a life like others my age. It felt like my prayers had been answered.
A little less than two years later I had come down with what felt like an awful upper respiratory infection. The pain in my chest was so bad that I couldn’t breathe. On a Friday in January I went to see my cardiologist where they took a routine echo and different tests and everything came up normal. A feeling of unease made my doctor send me for an X-ray because something just didn’t sit right.
On the Monday after, just three days after, the phone rang. The device had dislodged out of the heart and into a foreign section of my body. What a nightmare. I would arrive the next Morning at St. Francis Hospital in an early morning Snow Storm to have the device removed and a new one put in, except there was another plan for me that day. The device decided it didn’t want to come out and that a new one wouldn’t be able to stay in. After doctors deliberating while I was under they made an executive decision. They would do open heart surgery. When I woke I unexpectedly woke up to a new wound, some new pain and a whole different perspective on life.
The following days would be rough. I would need another surgery for a blood clot in my leg because of my young age. I would develop neuropathy in my right foot at this time as well. Something I still live with today.I would learn to walk on a walker and pick myself up. I would eat the worst hospital food ever, but be surrounded by an amazing team of doctors. I can’t say that things changing are easy at all. Both scars have begun to heal and I know that I have survived something I almost didn’t make it through. I now live with a device that is monitored and has made its home in a place where it wasn’t intended.Sometimes I have weird pains or struggle with different ailments. Maybe it’s the device or maybe it’s not, but my life still goes on despite the uncertainty.
Yes, this is not something that you ever expected in life, but I always carry this quote with me: “The strongest hearts have the most scars.” For me that means so much more both emotionally and physically. I know today that I have a heart of a warrior. I’d like to thank every doctor, every nurse (shout out to how amazing they all were), specialists, family member, friend or just an acquaintance that helped from that day on. My life wouldn’t be the same without you all.
If you made it to the end, I thank you for taking part and reading my story. Just know everyone’s story is different. This situation isn’t your everyday occurrence, but if one person can be inspired by this story and push them to get checked out if you just don’t feel right, then it’s all worth it. I know thatfor methis is just the beginning
Thank you again for listening to my story.
Xoxo,
Paige
P.S. -Some days scars are hard to look at, but don’t ever be ashamed of yourself and what journey in life they represent for you.
