I was ten years old when my heart condition truly began to take effect in
my everyday life. I was getting tired faster, I had more energy than a boy my
age would normally have, and at times, my body would just pass out. Though I
was able to channel my energy and use it to my advantage, it never lasted more
than a couple hours. My parents thought it was just because I was growing, but
when they finally decided to take me to the doctor, their perspective changed.
My heart was bigger than it should have been for my age, and my body was not
functioning properly. My parents did not know what to do. Going to the doctor
was not something we did. However, they persisted and chose natural ways of
managing my health. My twin brother, Matt, did not have to suffer as I did. By
the time we got to high school, he could do anything he wanted and not worry
about passing out. Me, on the other hand, though I was playing soccer at the
top of my class, I had to be careful not to push myself more than I had too.
I loved soccer, it was a way for me to escape and not think about what was
going on inside my chest. Playing soccer helped tone down the majority of the
pain I would feel when I was sitting still. Sitting in class was difficult and
my teachers often sent me to the nurse’s office often. Few students in school
knew about my condition. My soccer team knew about it; this was the only way
they could stop me when they saw me at my limit.
I rarely went to parties because of my condition. My parents knew that
staying out late would only make it worse. If I were to do anything harmful to
myself, who knows how long I would have lasted.
It was not until I had graduated that I knew my condition needed care. When
I turned twenty-one, I convinced my parents to let me get a heart transplant. I
did not know what the side effects would be, but it was a risk I was willing to
take.
♥♥♥♥
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