May has been very busy! Mark and I traveled to St. Louis to visit his daughter, Elyse. Above is Elyse and I at a Cardinals game. Below that is Mark and Elyse at her place of employment – The Federal Reserve Bank. We really enjoyed seeing the life Elyse has built for herself in St. Louis! We plan to go back to visit again in September. Also this month, Ava has been finishing up her first year of high school. I am so proud of all of her hard work and accomplishments this year! And I had another round of cardiac tests this month.
My tests were all stable from six months ago which were stable from six months before that… All in all, my numbers have been stable for two years. I put together this (unscientific) graph that depicts my heart function over time to help you understand the journey. Especially to depict what being “stable” means at this point of heart failure. I have stabilized right above requiring hospitalization.
Given that I have been stable for two years, I asked to move my regular cardiac testing to every 12 months instead of 6 months. The right heart catheterization is invasive and I really dislike doing the cardiopulmonary stress test. Putting stress on my heart is hard on my body and my mind because I worry about getting shocked. My doctor agreed to the 12 month plan as long as I see him in six months and my labs look good at that time. I also had to promise to contact him if I started feeling worse.
I don’t plan on posting any updates for a while. Please assume that no news is good news. I will be just be waiting on the transplant list as a status 4 patient. Waiting until I get sicker so I can move up the list and finally get matched with a heart. And trying to figure out how to live my life to the fullest in this phase of heart failure. I see my heart failure doctor in September and hopefully no more invasive cardiac testing until next May! This fact makes me giddy.
I want to sign off with a note of gratitude. I have so much gratitude for my friends and family in my life who are willing to adapt and live life within my limitations. I am thankful for my heart failure doctor and all of the medical professionals that help me live my best life. And a special shout out to Mark who sees more of my struggles than anyone else. He listens to my rants when I am frustrated with my limitations. He gladly helps me with daily tasks without being asked. He holds my hand when I am sad to be missing out on life. He is flexible with my last minute plan changes when I am too tired. He is a rock when I am scared about the uncertainty of my future. I am lucky every day to have his love and support.
Heart Sick 
Tracy you are one courageous woman facing what you do face daily with all of its challenges. Know that you and your family continue to be in my prayers to get you through this journey. Love and prayers.
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