Introducing...

I have decided to start this blog as a way to share my story, as well as provide hope/inspiration for anyone whose life has been effected by a congenital heart defect. Below is my story in a nutshell (also posted in the Mended Little Hearts National blog). Enjoy! :)

My name is Nicole Sanchez  and I was born on January 4^th, 1983 with tricuspid atresia. With TA also comes normally related great arteries with a small ventricular septal defect and rudimentary right ventricle. Basically this means that I was born without a tricuspid valve, and because the valve did not form, neither did my right ventrical. I had two closed-heart surgeries as a baby including a BT shunt placement. In November of 1988, I had open-heart surgery, a Fontan procedure.

 

Since my Fontan, I have been fortunate enough to not need any more surgeries. I do see a cardiologist every year for an EKG and Echo, and there’s the occasional heart monitor or stress test, but so far, so good…Not to say there haven’t been a couple of tiny bumps in the road, but at the end of the day I have led a relatively normal life. I grew up with two brothers (one older, one younger- both heart healthy), went to public school, had a job since I was 14, traveled with friends and studied abroad during college, and have even walked in a half marathon through the streets of San Francisco.  My mother once told me that when I was a baby in the hospital, she would tell me “one day we will be dancing at your wedding”; In August of 2008 her promise was fulfilled as I married my husband Jose. Having children was always a question mark, but in December of 2010 I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy (and hope to have at least one more!).

Mended Little Hearts came into my life this past March when I received an email from Andrea Himmelberger telling me a group was starting up in the Bay Area. I have always wanted to give back to the CHD community, to give hope to parents of children going through the same things I have. I am so grateful to MLH for giving me this opportunity. Although I am just 29, I feel like my CHD journey has already come full circle. I’ve survived, I’ve thrived, and now I am ready to share my experiences with all of you.  I have already met so many wonderful people, and am so excited for what the future holds for me, the Silicon Valley group, and for Mended Little Hearts everywhere.