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I was born in August
1967 at the Mater Mothers Hospital Brisbane,
weighing 8lb 8oz. Having been a Caesarean; I
kept mum and myself in the Mater for 10 days. It
was discovered at 8 weeks old that I had a
Cardiac Bruit during a Orthopaedic Consultation,
finally flying home to Weipa 3 months later. Mum
and I had our first experience with TPCH when I
had my 1st Cardiac Catheters in July 1968 where
it was found that I had a large Hypertensive
VSD, by this time mum was expecting my sibling
and my Cardiologist had now put me on Lanoxin
with the plan for full corrective surgery at
around 4 to 5 years old. I had my 2nd Cardiac
Catheters in April 1970 it was found that my
condition had now become a VSD with Eisenmengers
Syndrome, the idea of surgery was now out of the
equation and conservative treatment recommended.
My GP who I have known for over 20 years keeps a
close eye on me.
I
have been told that it was hard for me to put on
any significant weight for the 1st few years of
my life, even though I had no problems with
feeding. By the time I started primary school I
was taken off Lanoxin and my yearly check ups
were changed to every 2 years. I have been
through two Directors of Cardiology at TPCH and
now see a Cardiologist through the private
system, with my reviews every 18 – 24 months.
Generally overall, I haven’t had major problems.
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The hardest part
during my primary school years was having to sit
in the hot sun all day, as I wasn’t allowed to
participate in inter school sports or cross
country runs; I did however get involved with
sport during lunch time participating at my own
level, even though I wasn’t that good at it.
When I finished primary school at the end of
1979, dad moved the family back to Brisbane for
me to attend high school, from year 7 I attended
all of my five school camps. After leaving
school at the end of year 11, I went and did an
Associate Diploma. This year I started a Diploma
in Business, part time. Some of the things that
I have always enjoyed are boating, fishing,
camping, swimming, indoor cricket and the
occasional game of golf.
My
sister understands and respects that I have a
heart condition and doesn’t treat me any
differently, she always asks how I got on after
I have been for my Cardiac Reviews. Thankfully I
had my Grandmother living in Brisbane during my
childhood years, so my reviews were planned
around our Christmas holiday trip to Brisbane.
Until very recently, it has only been very good
and my best childhood friend that knew I had a
heart condition. |
