BACKGROUND

As many of you know, Jodie was born with congenital heart defects and had surgery at 10 days and 18 months old. She did ok throughout childhood, but had to be on some medications through high school, then another was added in college. Jodie went on to grad school, and unexpectedly required a valve replacement in 2007. It turned out she was in the early stages of heart failure, but only found out after the procedure. She needed to get a pacemaker since her heart stopped beating on its own, and then a few months later upgraded to a pacemaker/ defibrillator due to low heart function. In 2008, Jodie was told that she would eventually need a heart transplant, and that the doctor predicted it to be necessary within the next 5 years.

In the 12+ years since then, Jodie was upgraded to a bi-ventricular pacemaker/defibrillator which helped her feel better but didn't improve her numbers, had it replaced two more times due to the battery almost running out (normal process), was put on a new medication that helped her feel much better but still didn't improve the numbers. Then in April of 2019 things started to get interesting. Jodie went into an atrial flutter and after 3 weeks, had to be cardioverted (think being shocked with paddles, but more controlled and while under anesthesia) to get her rhythm back to normal. Then over the summer she started feeling more and more tired, and having slightly worse symptoms. Jodie had some tests in August that showed things were worse, and the doctor told us in October that we would need to check back in early 2020 to see how things are. After having those tests, its clear that Jodie needs to have a heart transplant.


WHY DID WE START THIS BLOG?

Jodie and Peter decided to keep this blog for a few reasons. First, as a way to keep our friends and family up to date. Second, as a way to share how we are doing and what we are going through (and potentially what we need). Third, as a way to document this journey.

We have learned that we want the people around us, and those who care about us, to know what is going on, but don't always have the energy to talk about it over and over. We will be sharing was is "on our hearts" as we go through this journey. We welcome you to check in as often as you like. Thoughts and prayers are much appreciated. You are always welcome to reach out individually, but please feel free to leave comments on our posts and we will try to respond to everyone when we can. We are also planning to use this platform to share news when we don't have time or energy to send to everyone.

Some of our posts may be more emotional, and some may be about more mundane things. Once we get to step 4, it could take anywhere between 1 day and a year or more to reach step 5. We have no way to know. As we are in that waiting period, we do know that one of the things that will be helpful to us will be to keep busy - board game nights, movies, etc. If you are nearby, please do reach out. While Jodie can't be doing anything too strenuous right now, we still want to connect with people. If things come up that we need or could use help on, we may post it here, or reach out specifically to those who have let us know they want to help.

Thank you for walking with us through this journey as we share what is on our hearts. Please check back for updates. We will add information as it becomes available and as we go through the process ahead.

God bless,
Jodie & Peter Elliott

Sunday, March 1, 2020

The rocky road that led to many blessings

We went to church with Peter's family this morning - Sarah, Mark, Leah and Mason, and Catherine and her boyfriend Travis.  The sermon theme was about suffering and tragedy - and finding the good news within it. The pastor did a good job at looking at this broadly, and giving enough so you could come to your own conclusions.  This made me think about how suffering, on different levels, has played out in my life.

I don't usually think of having to deal with my heart condition as suffering or tragedy, but some times it has been. One of the things that is hard about suffering is that it is often hard to discern the reason. Yet my 'suffering' had very much led to blessings in my life. Being somewhat restricted as a child and getting tired more easily made me fight for the ability to do things and appreciate them. As I got older, it brought me more empathy and a maturity that developed years earlier than it may have otherwise. When I was in grad school and went into heart failure, this felt like a tragedy. However, I can see now that I was meant to be a social worker, to help others with chronic conditions, and this tragedy changed my life trajectory and both put me where I needed to be and gave me the ability to slow down and really understand loss of health and changing plans. 

This trip has been helpful for a few reasons. First, I've loved meeting and cuddling Mason and seeing the Elliott clan.  The blessings of this family accepting and loving me as much as my own is indescribable. This trip has also really showed me how limited I am. I think even though I've known I need this transplant, in my regular life I've been making changes so day to day I don't feel the effects. While logically I knew, I don't think deep down I really let myself believe it in some ways. I feel like now I know. Traveling has really shown me how much my energy and ability is affected. I'm glad we were able to come on this trip, but I am also feeling ready to be home and be on the waitlist. Next time we travel I'm looking forward to it being easier. Overall I may not know what my life holds or what God has planned, but I believe that whatever suffering has happened and is to come will lead me right where I'm meant to be.

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