Every morning, I wake up to the sound of my boys laughing and the bustling energy of our home. It’s a chaotic melody that I wouldn’t trade for the world. As a single mom of two and a caregiver to my 95-year-old father, my days are full of work, the kids’ school activities and keeping pace with my busy household. But just a few years ago, I wasn’t sure I’d live to see these moments.
I was born with an enlarged heart and congestive heart failure (CHF)—a chronic condition that makes the heart less efficient at pumping blood, which eventually can lead to an accumulation of fluids in the body, including the lungs. I likely inherited the condition from my mother, who also had heart problems and died at a young age. Her health struggles have motivated me to do everything I can to take care of my own health.
Because of my genetic condition, doctors warned me early in life that having children would be a risk to my health and encouraged me to stop jogging—something that I’ve loved to do my entire life. Defying the odds, I had my first son, Evan, at 17, and second son, Leo, at 25, and continued to run as far as my feet would take me.
Throughout my life I thought I was healthy, and even when I started to experience occasional seizures, I brushed it off and continued to live my normal life. However, when my health took a turn for the worse—it deteriorated really quickly.
While training for a 5K on the treadmill in 2018, I suddenly felt nauseous and lost my eyesight—I thought I was just having another seizure. The next day, despite a drooping face and slurred speech, I kept our routine as normal as possible, dropping my sons off at school before heading to the doctor, where I was told I had suffered a stroke.
This was just the beginning of a series of worsening health challenges. The next year, I received a pacemaker in the hopes of supporting my weak heart, but my condition continued to deteriorate.
I experienced two heart attacks in 2019, spurred on, I was told, by my running training, which—while healthy for most people—complicated my condition. My health got so bad I found it difficult to breathe and nearly impossible to walk upstairs. People in my life called me “a walking zombie,” and I eventually had to stop working.
My healthcare providers repeatedly expressed concern and strongly recommended a left ventricular assist device (LVAD)—also called a heart pump—but I was resistant to the idea. Despite the benefits to my health, the restrictions seemed overwhelming—limits to the sports I could play and not being able to swim, my favorite activity.
Eventually, I realized that it wasn’t only my heart that was quickly deteriorating—my quality of life was, too. After having a conversation with another woman about her experience with an LVAD and hearing how she was able to go back to living her full life, I finally came around to the idea.
I was implanted with my LVAD in August 2020. The LVAD, which I lovingly refer to as “my daughter,” has literally become a part of my life and who I am. “She’s” given me back my strength and the ability to embrace life again, allowing me to cherish every moment with my loved ones.
The decision to get the LVAD was not easy. In fact, it was really scary. I was afraid of potential complications and unsure about what the future might hold—but the support of my family and friends gave me the courage to go through with it.
The day I received an LVAD marked a turning point in my life. The device, which helps my heart pump blood, provided me with immediate relief. After my heart began to get stronger, I prioritized all aspects of my health including achieving a healthy weight and exercising.
I began to take part in activities I thought were left in the past. I not only returned to the gym, but I found new ways to stay active like Zumba classes, circuit training and light jogs. However, my favorite activity of all is enjoying time with Evan, Leo, my dad, Gene, my sister, Priscilla and my niece, Meredith.
I love my daughter, and the life she’s enabled. I’ve learned to look forward and focus on all that I can do with and for my family. I feel like I can do anything that a person without an LVAD can—even ride the roller coasters at Six Flags!
Looking ahead, I have many milestones I’m excited about. I want to go back to school, live a healthy life and get on the transplant list to eventually get a new heart. I dream of running a marathon after a transplant. I eagerly look forward to events like visiting Disney—I’m a huge Mickey fan!—celebrating my father’s centennial and going bowling for my upcoming 40th birthday.
As my children grow up and step out into the world, they carry with them the strength and love we’ve nurtured through these trials. They may no longer be toddlers needing constant care, but our experiences have deepened our mutual support and understanding of each other.
We cherish our time together—whether bowling, racing go-karts, or cheering and wearing matching jerseys at sporting events—and dad, in his golden years, still tries to take care of me as I look out for him. Our journey has made us stronger and more connected, and I look forward to all the future moments we’ll share.
Joanne Matos is a mother of two sons and a caretaker for her elderly father. Despite being born with an enlarged heart and facing numerous health challenges, she enjoys an active life thanks to her Abbott heart pump.
All views expressed are the author’s own.
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