Paula Andrade
I was born in
When I was 30 years old I had an arterial blood clot in my leg. It was assumed that this clot was a result of my heart problem. As a result I am on medication for life to prevent blood clots in the future. At age 35 I had a pulmonary valve replacement.
I am married and have 2 perfectly health children, who keep me constantly busy. I work as a Registered Nurse - at Hospital for Sick Children's for 11 years, and presently as a disability management nurse for an insurance company. I have begun work on my Masters degree in nursing.
I have never considered my heart disease a disability and have always attempted to do everything I wanted. However, since my pulmonary valve replacement I have never fully recovered to my previous activity level so I have had to make adjustments to my life. From this point of I have been restricted by shortness of breath and chest pain on activity.
Sometimes I worry about my next surgery, since the pulmonary valve will eventually have to be replaced. I am not concerned how I will deal with it, as I have always had a very positive attitude to life, but I do worry about my children and how difficult it would be to see there mother ill.
If there is one thing I can say to people with congenital heart problems and their families it to always reach and try for everything you want don't let your heart problem be a barrier to learning and succeeding.
