blalock-taussig_shunt

Who is Eric Ankerud? Why would someone want to start a nonprofit organization to help the congenital heart defect community? What services does Heartfelt Dreams Foundation provide?

Eric Ankerud's wife, Lori, was born in 1958 with a serious heart defect called 'tetralogy of Fallot.' Lori was known as a "blue baby," and she had a ventricular septal defect or "hole in her heart. Her first open-heart surgery was a Blalock-Taussig shunt at the age of 2. At 3, her ventricular septal defect was closed and her pulmonary artery was repaired, which allowed her to have more normal blood flow to the lungs.

While Lori's early childhood was fraught with heart procedures and doctor's visits, it was also filled with the love of family and opportunities for her artistic abilities to blossom.

Lori and Eric married in 1985. They have two adult children. Although Lori has needed follow-up care including major heart reconstructive surgery, she has led a great quality of life. She and her husband felt inspired to start a nonprofit organization to help others in the CHD community.

In this episode of "Heart to Heart with Anna," Eric shares with Anna how his wife's congenital heart defect (CHD) journey has helped them to understand the needs of the CHD community and what their nonprofit is doing to help fill the needs they have witnessed over the course of their lives together.

To learn more about Eric and Lori's nonprofit organization, use this link: https://www.heartfeltdreamsfoundation.org/

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Born in 1960, Kimberly Russell was diagnosed as a "blue baby" and wasn't expected to survive infancy. Kimberly Russell's care for her complex heart was always just a step behind what was necessary to keep her alive. In 2020, Kimberly is preparing to celebrate her 60th birthday with a complex congenital heart defect and she wants to give back to the community which has honored her life. As an author, speaker, and ambassador for the CHD community, Kimberly is holding contests, raising awareness, and showing by example how to enjoy every day of one's life. To take part in Kim's contests in July 2020, visit her Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/Kimsheartbeat/

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Keith Flynn was born in 1975 and shortly after birth, he was diagnosed with Ventricular Septal Defect, Double Inlet Left Ventricle, Pulmonary Atresia, and Hypoplastic Right Ventricle. He had two Blalock-Taussig shunts at age 6 months and 5 years, and a modified Fontan procedure when he was 15. Despite experiencing atrial arrhythmias in early adulthood, Keith received limited cardiac care in his 20s and early 30s. 

In his 30s, Keith started experiencing syncopal (or fainting) episodes, and on one occasion was rescued by his wife after fainting while swimming. As a result of these episodes, Keith received a pacemaker and recording device and was treated with Sotalol, a beta-blocker. However, Keith had also begun to experience fluid retention related to heart failure, and doctors told him that he would need a heart and liver transplant. He is currently undergoing the required testing to be listed for both organs. 

Over the years, Keith worked for a variety of retail and restaurant businesses, before working his way up to managing and owning businesses. He also started doing stand up comedy. Most recently, he has worked in the health and disability rights fields and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He met his wife in 2003 and currently lives in Baltimore.

In this episode, Keith will share more about his life -- living with a congenital heart defect -- with Anna. He will also explain how he has come to need to be listed for two different organs. He will also share with Anna what he believes keeps him going, even when the going gets rough.

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Kathy Ware was born in 1974 with tricuspid atresia and pulmonary stenosis. Her first surgery occurred in her first year of life when she had a Potts shunt. At age 5, she had a central shunt inserted. In 1989 she had a Potts reconstruction and modified Blalock-Taussig shunt and then a classic Glenn procedure. All of these surgeries were done with the plan of having a Fontan Procedure, but she developed pulmonary stenosis and has never had the Fontan.

In this episode of Heart to Heart with Anna, Kathy Ware talks with Anna about what it was like to be diagnosed with a learning disability and how she overcame her issues to become a college professor. She gives advice to other heart families about dealing with congenital heart defects and learning disabilities. She also demonstrates through her own life how perseverance and determination can allow people to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

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