I Have A CHD

I have never really talked about this much, probably because Natalie's CHD is so severe.  

I was born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD).  My mother said when I breathed, my chest would sink in and then come back up.  She said it was horrible to watch.  I was luckily though, the doctors gave me a shot of medicine that was able to close the hole about 90% or so.  I live a normal life.  I played sports growing up and have had two amazing children.  

I do remember going to a cardiologist when I was young for EKGs and Echos.  I also had to take antibiotics before the dentist up until a couple of years ago, when new research showed I did not even need that any more.  

Most recently, I went to a cardiologist a few years ago before I ran my half marathon to be sure I was okay. He said I was doing amazing and did not even need to come back for another 10 years.  

I never really talk about myself and honestly, it was not until recently did I realize that I actually had a CHD.  When I was a kid, I do not think they talked much about CHDs.  But time has changed and with the improvement of medicine and technology, it is much easier to diagnosis a baby born with a CHD.  CHD is still the number one birth defect though.  Let's get out there and make people aware of CHDs and new mother's aware so they can get their baby's screened before leaving the hospital.