Heart to Heart with Anna Anna Jaworski

Have you ever wondered about the strength that it takes to parent a heart warrior child? What does the journey of raising a child with a congenital heart defect look like? Meet Alison and Brian Blankenship, parents to two children, one of whom is a heart warrior named Ian. Ian was born with a critical congenital heart defect, and his parents are here to share their intimate story of resilience.

This compelling episode takes you through the emotional journey of the Blankenships, right from the moment they first received Ian's diagnosis. They bravely face the challenges of countless medical procedures, and share the different milestones they have celebrated, each one a testament to Ian's resilience. There's also a deep dive into the strong bonds they've forged within the CHD community, a source of support that has proven invaluable over the years. The couple touch on the unique grief and isolation that comes with having a child with a heart defect and stress the importance of self-care in their fight against the odds. 

But that's not all. We also explore their experiences with A Kid Again, an organization that offers much-needed respite to families with children who have chronic illnesses. They share how A Kid Again differs from Make-a-Wish, the empathy it has nurtured in their daughter Haley, and the benefits they've reaped as a family. Through this enlightening episode, we hope to give you a glimpse of what it truly means to be a heart warrior family, and inspire you to find strength amidst adversity. Join us and discover an inspiring narrative of courage and love.
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Meet Cody Watkins, a beacon of resilience and health, who brushed against mortality when he discovered a congenital heart problem lurking beneath his ripped physique. Unaware of the ticking time bomb in his chest for 30 years, Cody offers a riveting recount of his journey within the world of bodybuilding, his shocking discovery, and how he's courageously navigating life post-heart surgery. 

Cody's story takes an unexpected turn when during a regular training session, his valve ruptures. The wake-up call led him to the emergency room where the reality of his condition hit home. Cody discusses the symptoms leading up to his heart failure, his diagnosis, and the urgent call to action around heart health awareness. Our conversation also touches on his album ‘Home Tonight Forever’, with proceeds dedicated to aiding those affected by congenital heart disease.

Brace yourselves as Cody talks about his astonishing recovery - from reversing heart failure to shrinking his heart back to a normal size within a year. We discuss the adjustments to his diet, the role of supplements, and his determination to participate in a bodybuilding show, all while healing. With a fresh lease on life, Cody's journey is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and an unyielding desire to inspire others walking a similar path. Join us as we delve into Cody's extraordinary journey and the valuable lessons he's gathered from his heart condition.
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As a heart mom myself, I know firsthand the unique challenges that come with raising a child with both a congenital heart defect and autism. That's why I invited Melanie Letzer and Kelly Blumenthal to join me for a candid conversation about their experiences navigating this complex journey. Together, we discuss the importance of trusting your instincts, seeking early intervention, and finding the right support system for your family.

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the challenges of getting a diagnosis and the critical role of having an IEP in place to support our children. We share our experiences with ABA therapy during the pandemic and how it has helped us better understand our children's behavior. We also discuss the importance of connecting with other parents for emotional and practical support, and how tenacity and a willingness to try different approaches are essential when it comes to finding the right program for your child.

Our journey as parents has shown us the power of advocacy within the congenital heart community. Throughout this episode, we emphasize the need for early intervention, support, and utilizing trusted medical resources to provide the best help for our children. By sharing our experiences, we hope to inspire and empower you to become an advocate for the congenital heart community, and ensure that our neurologically and cardiac-challenged children receive the care and attention they deserve.
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What if you could find a space to share your story, ask questions, and connect with others living with congenital heart conditions? Join me as I chat with Leigh Kamping-Carder, founder and writer of "The Heart Dialogues," a free newsletter that does just that. We discuss Leigh's own experience of living with tricuspid atresia, a single-ventricle defect, and her journey navigating two different approaches to cardiology - one in Canada and one in the US.

In our conversation, we explore the medical trauma that comes with surviving open-heart procedures and the importance of addressing and normalizing this often unspoken aspect of living with a heart condition. Leigh shares her unique perspective on the differences in care she experienced as an adult with a cardiac condition in Canada and the United States, and the potential benefits of a more laid-back approach to care. Discover the choices patients can make when considering their health care and the impact of different philosophies of care.

Lastly, we talk about the importance of writing and reading for those with congenital heart conditions and how Leigh's journalism background has played a vital role in creating "The Heart Dialogues." Listen in for Leigh's advice on carving out time to write and her understanding that her life and health are finite, fueling her mission to help others. Don't miss this heartfelt conversation with Leigh Kamping-Carder, and be sure to check out "The Heart Dialogues" for more candid conversations and support within the congenital heart community.

To read Leigh's newsletter or to contact her:
The Heart Dialogues newsletter: theheartdialogues.substack.com
Leigh's Twitter handle: @Leigh_KC twitter.com/Leigh_KC

To reach Anna, visit: https://heartsunitetheglobe.org or email her at Anna@hearttoheartwithAnna.com
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What was it like to give birth to a baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in the 1990s? How would it feel like to watch that miracle child grow up to become a mother herself? What is it like to then see your daughter's daughter for the first time? Answers to those questions and many more will be answered in this Mother's Day Special Heart to Heart with Anna episode. 

Meg Didier is a 30-year-old hHLHS survivor and a mother. After we finished recording her episode, “HLHS Survivor and Mother” earlier this year, I said it would be so wonderful to have her back on the show with her own mother for May 2023, especially in celebration of Mothers’ Day and she agreed.
Patty Hansen and I “met” online over two decades ago, when the Internet was young. We met via a listserv and shared inspiring stories about our heart warriors, questions we had, and shared concerns. We prayed for one another, gave helpful advice, and encouraged one another. When I decided to put together an anthology of stories by women around the world affected by congenital heart defects, Patty contributed an essay entitled ‘Finding the Good,’ which you can read starting on page 179 of “The Heart of a Mother.” This is my first time to actually speak with Patty!
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What is myocardial bridging? Why might someone with myocardial bridging have a heart attack? What is The Heart Chamber?

Boots Knighton is a 45-year-old myocardial bridging survivor from Victor, Idaho, and an avid mountain biker. She suffered a heart attack while biking when she was in her 40s. To correct the myocardial bridging, she underwent open-heart surgery in 2021. Her experiences have inspired her to start a podcast, called “The Heart Chamber,” and she is also working on a book. 

In this episode, we'll learn about how Boots' condition was diagnosed, why she started a podcast, and how she's also writing a book.

Links mentioned in this episode:

The Facebook group that saved Boots' life:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyocardialBridge

Boots' podcast, The Heart Chamber:
www.theheartchamberpodcast.com
@theheartchamberpodcast

Boots' blog:
https://suzannebootsknighton.substack.com/
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