I thought I was alone until I found this web site. I knew there were people out there but to finally feel connected to people experiencing my every day life is refreshing!!! I will start by sharing my story.

I was 28 weeks (6 months) pregnant with my third child and doing well until I started having high blood pressure. I just turned 30 and otherwise healthy my Doctors couldn't figure out why I was experiencing high blood pressure. So to be on the safe side they checked me in to the Neonatal Hospital in town and believed they would keep me on bed rest until July close to my due date. As a mother of two that was hard to deal with in itself not knowing what was to come.

After about a week laying low in the hospital I sat up one afternoon to feel a pop in my chest. After that there was pain worse then child birth!! After several hours of different tests on me and the Baby a CT was ordered. I soon learned that I had an aortic aneurysm that had ruptured. My family was told they had to deliver the 12 week early baby and perform a hystectomy(to avoid bleeding out) and then the open heart surgery to try to save my life.

My poor husband!!! I in my heavily medicated state was more upset about t the hysterectomy then losing my life! I was only 30 and wanted 5 kids. I remember asking and praying for them to please save my baby and they did just that!!! We both survived and I believe he is what pulled me through. He was born 2lbs 7oz. and spent a little over 2 months in the NICU. I only missed 2 days of that. Even in the ICU they wheeled me to see him I don't remember it but I have pictures to prove it!!!

It has been a year and a half and I am doing great. I was left with dissections that run from my carotid arteries, my right subclavaien and down through my renal ateries. I am controlled through lots of medication and constant scans. I am to have low stress and limited lifting. I have been advised on the signs and symptoms of stroke due to my dissections in the carotid arteries. I know how important every day is now and try not to take for granted anything. I don't know how long I have but I have been given an extra year filled with amazing days watching my children en grow.

I have an 8 year old son, Seamus, a 5 year old daughter Fionn and my miracle 1 year old Nevan. They give me the drive to push through each day and survive!!! Just finding this site gives me great inner joy We are survivors for a reason!!

On the day when you least expect it you will be blessed by the guidance of an angel and touched by God's love.

Contact Jill