Heart Stories

The more stories we share, the greater awareness we can spread. This is why I have opened my blog to receive Heart Stories from survivors. My hope and their’s with sharing these stories is not just to leave you moved by the struggles they faced and the triumphs they made but to also give you knowledge. Most cardiac events can be prevented and early diagnosis can save lives.

Your knowledge is power – know your numbers, know the signs and symptoms, be your health advocate.

Heart Stories - Jen Woleslagle-Stone's PPCM Story - Jen and her children

Jen Woleslagle-Stone

After a difficult first pregnancy, Jen had concerns going into her second. She tried everything in her power to make this pregnancy less stressful. Little did she know how much worse this pregnancy would be and the heart issues she would face for the rest of her life. Here is Jen’s story.

Heart Stories - Jessica Grib's PPCM Story - Jessica's family

Jessica Grib

Surviving peripartum cardiomyopathy and experiencing a near-death experience has inspired Jessica Grib to become an advocate for all pregnant women. She is a strong supporter of heart health awareness and hopes to prevent other women from enduring the trauma she faced. Here is Jessica’s story.

Heart Stories - Jamie Onofrio's PPCM Story - Jamie's family

Jamie Onofrio

In the middle of a pandemic, Jamie Onofrio learned the news she never expected to hear as a young newlywed and new mom – she was in heart failure. Luckily, Jamie found a medical professional familiar with PPCM who help saved her life. Jamie’s wish is for all moms to have the opportunity to get early, proper treatment for peripartum cardiomyopathy. Here is Jamie’s story.

Heart Stories - Miranda Marquez's PPCM Story - Family Picture

Miranda Marquez

Miranda Marquez knew something was wrong during her pregnancy but the medical staff did not pay attention to her symptoms. The lack of knowledge about peripartum cardiomyopathy, especially its resemblance to third-trimester pregnancy symptoms, can cost mothers their lives. Here is Miranda’s story.

Heart Stories - Taylor Hughes - Taylor with her children

Taylor Hughes

Like many who face this condition, Taylor Hughes had never heard of peripartum cardiomyopathy – pregnancy-induced heart failure. She thought her only concern going into her second pregnancy was the well being of her son. Unfortunately, shortly after his birth, she was fighting for her life. Here is Taylor’s story.

Heart Stories - Nicolette Somers - Nicolette with her family

Nicolette Somers

Nicolette Somers is one strong momma. Nicolette was overjoyed with the arrival of her first child but soon after his birth, she started experiencing strange symptoms. While she should have been celebrating all of her new baby’s first holidays, Nicolette was alone in a hospital having tests ran on her heart. Ultimately, she would have to face a major life-altering procedure in the middle of a pandemic. Here is Nicolette’s story.

Heart Stories - Tamar Gevorkian - Tamar in nursing school

Tamar Gevorkian

A nursing student born with a congenital heart disease, Tamar Gevorkian has been a fighter her entire life. After a life-threatening issue with her heart five years ago, Tamar thought her worries were over. Little did she know, it was going to get a lot worse before it got better. In the middle of a pandemic, she was fighting for her life again, this time with double organ failure. Here is Tamar’s story.

Heart Stories - Kristy Miller - Kristy with her son

Kristy Miller

When Kristy Miller had dreamed about bringing her newborn son home from the hospital, she hadn’t expected them both to be wearing heart monitors. After her peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnosis and a lengthy hospital stay that included her being placed in a medically induced coma, this is where Kristy found herself. Here is Kristy’s story.

Heart Stories - Bridgette McElwee - Bridgette and daughter

Bridgette McElwee

Bridgette McElwee had trouble breathing throughout her pregnancy. When she asked her doctor about it, she was diagnosed with sinus infections. Unfortunately, Bridgette was actually in heart failure due to peripartum cardiomyopathy. Here is her story.

Kyla Davis Pt. 1

Kyla thought she knew what to expect during her third pregnancy. Unfortunately, a heart condition she had never heard of would come crashing into her life shortly after her son’s birth. Check out part one of Kyla’s amazing story.

Kyla Davis Pt. 2

Earlier this week we met Kyla Davis. After giving birth to her son she started experiencing strange symptoms and soon discovered she was in heart failure due to peripartum cardiomyopathy. You can read the entire first half of her story at Heart Stories – Kyla Davis Pt.1. In part 2 we will explore Kyla’s life post-LVAD surgery.

Heart Stories - Kelsi Crews - Main Image

Kelsi Crews

Kelsi Crews hadn’t expected to get pregnant at nineteen but she was prepared to take on the responsibility of motherhood. What she hadn’t counted on was a heart failure diagnosis soon after her son’s birth. From lazy summers on the river to a mechanical heart and newborn, Kelsi had to grow up fast and fight for her life. Here is Kelsi’s story.

Joana Marie S. Egido Blog Image

Joana Marie S. Egido

Exhausted and unable to properly breathe, Joana Marie S. Egido wouldn’t have made it without her village coming together to care for her. Although she survived the night, Joana had many more challenges ahead as she faced a peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnosis in a Third World country. Here is Joana’s story.

Starlyn Lanier

Starlyn, a young mother at just nineteen years old, knew her chest pains and shortness of breath were not right but found her concerns dismissed due to her young age. Luckily, one nurse listened and pushed to find the cause. Here is Starlyn’s story.

Lindsay Staloff-Peterson Pt. 1

Lindsay Staloff-Peterson has looked death in the face and said no thank you not once, not twice, but on three separate occasions. Now, Lindsay is on a mission to save other women from her fate and the preventable consequences that come with a peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnosis. Here is part one of Lindsay’s story.

Lindsay Staloff-Peterson Pt. 2

Part 2 of Lindsay’s story follows her journey from PPCM diagnosis to the creation of the PPCMFund. If you haven’t read part 1 of Lindsay’s story, make sure to check it to learn about her entire journey.

Kayla Hightower

Dangerously high blood pressure during her pregnancy led to Kayla having to give birth four weeks early. Despite her son being born healthy, her problems were far from over. Soon after his birth, Kayla had to be transferred to the ICU as her journey with peripartum cardiomyopathy began. Here is Kayla’s story.

We are always looking for new Heart Stories to share on This Mommy’s Heart. Visit Share Your Heart Story for more details.