Living with CHD, From the beginning

Hi, my name is Chloe Franks, I am 20 years old, I work as a Childcare worker, I love to Dance, Horse ride, go to the swimming pool (and try not to drown..) and do more, all of which, from the age of 3 and a half I was told I should never do.

I was always told, when growing up not to do any exercise, other that walking short distances when needed. I have never participated in any Sports day activities other than watching from the side line.

The reason being, I have a CHD. One of which I was born this. It wasn’t until I was 13 weeks old that my mum was told I had a heart murmur. My mum knew something wasn’t quite right with my heart murmur. After years of my mum being told to stop being silly by the hospital nearby, she went on to Oxford Children’s Hospital when I was 3 and a half years old. I was took to the hospital and given an EKG on a Thursday, and nothing of significance showed, then, the next day, a man came to mums door saying that I had an appointment in Oxford Hospital on Tuesday, and giving mum a bottle of Propananol with instructions for giving me it. We went to the appointment and that Thursday I Had surgery to correct a Sub-aortic Stenosis.

This Operation was only a temporary Measure as I was to grow and the Surgery would need to be corrected, so on the 27th October 2003 just 4 days before my 12th Birthday, I underwent a Ross Procedure.

The Ross Procedure is a type of specialized aortic valve surgery where the patient’s diseased aortic valve is replaced with his or her own pulmonary valve. The pulmonary valve is then replaced with cryopreserved cadaveric pulmonary valve. In children and young adults, or older particularly active patients, this procedure offers several advantages over traditional aortic valve replacement with manufactured prostheses.

So, now I am 20, well alive and kicking, I am awaiting word for my 3rd operation, but I still have about 2 years to wait.

I always wake up in the morning and forget that I am different to other people, it’s only when I look down and see my scar or as I used to call it, my zip, that I remember what I’ve been through. This is not a life I would wish for anyone, but this is who I am. Yes, I get fed up having restrictions, but the restrictions don’t last forever, I was always told never to exercise and now I walk up the mountains, I’m trying to pluck up the courage to learn to swim, I’m horse riding, I’m dancing, and I’m working. I can honestly say that I am Happy with who I am today, and this goes with an ABSOLUTE MASSIVE THANKS to my mum Tasha, and my dad Mick, for all my Sisters and my brothers for supporting me, a special thanks to my best friend Cat who has been through the most of it with me and who gives me the kick up the backside I need to see the light sometimes.
If you want to become and organ donor go to: www.organdonation.nhs.uk.

Az – Chloe has also started her own facebook page for people who suffer with CHD which you can find here : Heart to Heart