Heart To Heart With Anna

As I sit back and reflect on Heart to Heart with Anna in the year 2023, I want you to celebrate with me, Anna Jaworski, as we mark a milestone of connection and growth within the congenital heart defect community. From the early days on Voice America to our move to Blog Talk Radio and beyond, we've weathered sponsorship storms and emerged stronger, bringing hope and vital information to those touched by CHD. Join me for an intimate retrospective on our top episodes of the past year, recognizing stories that have resonated and sparked conversations, powered by the voices that have made this journey unforgettable.Stepping into the future, I'm excited to open the doors to compassionate individuals eager to make a difference. Your unique skills can shine in various volunteer roles, from scripting heartfelt narratives to amplifying our reach on social media. Our collective efforts support Hearts Unite the Globe, ensuring that no one walks their CHD path alone. I have a particular fondness for LinkedIn as

Imagine living in a family where sudden deaths were a tragic norm. That's the reality heart mom Jackie Renford faced before the fateful identification of Long Q-T Syndrome, a genetic heart condition, in her family. Her misdiagnosis and the subsequent loss of her son and daughter have inspired her to become an advocate for early detection and treatment of this life-threatening condition. Journey with us as she shares her family's heart-wrenching story and opens up about the ongoing battle with Long Q-T Syndrome.Jackie's experiences with Long QT Syndrome open up a world that is often misunderstood. How do you navigate through life when you and multiple family members are affected by a genetic heart condition? Jackie gives us a first-hand account of the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of Long Q-T Syndrome, as well as the emotional toll it takes. She emphasizes the importance of regular medical check-ups, cautious medication use, and a proper diagnosis. Find out how her family is rallying around

How does a young child learn to fight, to survive, and even thrive when they're born battling a congenital heart defect? Join us as we journey through the inspiring life stories of Emily Falcon and Mabel, two extraordinary women who refused to let their heart conditions define them. Emily, born with the rare ALCAPA--Anomalous Origin of the Left Coronary Artery arising from the Pulmonary Artery, takes us through her harrowing experiences with two open-heart surgeries, and how these experiences have shaped her into the woman she is today. Have you ever wondered how the body adapts itself to survive a chronic illness? Emily provides a firsthand account of her body's fight for survival, and the challenges she faced, leading to her penning down a memoir about living with chronic illness. Listen to her describe the difficulties she faced in expressing her emotions, the support she found in her friendship with Mabel, and their collective efforts to raise awareness of those with congenital heart defects. Di

Have you ever considered how your lifestyle choices could be affecting your health? Ever wondered about the benefits of essential oils or how to improve your gut health? Then you're in the right place. In a riveting discourse with renowned Valerie Chavez, MD, and Ryan Hunter, we delve into the heart of Functional Medicine. Together, we unravel the mysteries behind this unique approach that goes beyond surface symptoms to identify the root causes of illness.Harness the power of essential oils and understand the importance of sourcing from reputable sources in our exploration of this therapeutic world. Ryan Hunter unveils the secrets of these potent substances, their historical use, benefits in stress relief, sleep induction, inflammation reduction, and more. Imagine enhancing your mental and emotional well-being with the simple application or inhalation of these oils. Intriguing, isn't it? As we wrap up, we shed light on the often overlooked sensitivities and allergies many have towards certain foods

Have you ever wondered about the strength that it takes to parent a heart warrior child? What does the journey of raising a child with a congenital heart defect look like? Meet Alison and Brian Blankenship, parents to two children, one of whom is a heart warrior named Ian. Ian was born with a critical congenital heart defect, and his parents are here to share their intimate story of resilience.This compelling episode takes you through the emotional journey of the Blankenships, right from the moment they first received Ian's diagnosis. They bravely face the challenges of countless medical procedures, and share the different milestones they have celebrated, each one a testament to Ian's resilience. There's also a deep dive into the strong bonds they've forged within the CHD community, a source of support that has proven invaluable over the years. The couple touch on the unique grief and isolation that comes with having a child with a heart defect and stress the importance of self-care in the

Meet Cody Watkins, a beacon of resilience and health, who brushed against mortality when he discovered a congenital heart problem lurking beneath his ripped physique. Unaware of the ticking time bomb in his chest for 30 years, Cody offers a riveting recount of his journey within the world of bodybuilding, his shocking discovery, and how he's courageously navigating life post-heart surgery. Cody's story takes an unexpected turn when during a regular training session, his valve ruptures. The wake-up call led him to the emergency room where the reality of his condition hit home. Cody discusses the symptoms leading up to his heart failure, his diagnosis, and the urgent call to action around heart health awareness. Our conversation also touches on his album ‘Home Tonight Forever’, with proceeds dedicated to aiding those affected by congenital heart disease.Brace yourselves as Cody talks about his astonishing recovery - from reversing heart failure to shrinking his heart back to a normal size within a yea

As a heart mom myself, I know firsthand the unique challenges that come with raising a child with both a congenital heart defect and autism. That's why I invited Melanie Letzer and Kelly Blumenthal to join me for a candid conversation about their experiences navigating this complex journey. Together, we discuss the importance of trusting your instincts, seeking early intervention, and finding the right support system for your family.In this heartfelt episode, we explore the challenges of getting a diagnosis and the critical role of having an IEP in place to support our children. We share our experiences with ABA therapy during the pandemic and how it has helped us better understand our children's behavior. We also discuss the importance of connecting with other parents for emotional and practical support, and how tenacity and a willingness to try different approaches are essential when it comes to finding the right program for your child.Our journey as parents has shown us the power of advocacy with

What if you could find a space to share your story, ask questions, and connect with others living with congenital heart conditions? Join me as I chat with Leigh Kamping-Carder, founder and writer of "The Heart Dialogues," a free newsletter that does just that. We discuss Leigh's own experience of living with tricuspid atresia, a single-ventricle defect, and her journey navigating two different approaches to cardiology - one in Canada and one in the US.In our conversation, we explore the medical trauma that comes with surviving open-heart procedures and the importance of addressing and normalizing this often unspoken aspect of living with a heart condition. Leigh shares her unique perspective on the differences in care she experienced as an adult with a cardiac condition in Canada and the United States, and the potential benefits of a more laid-back approach to care. Discover the choices patients can make when considering their health care and the impact of different philosophies of care.Lastly,

What was it like to give birth to a baby with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) in the 1990s? How would it feel like to watch that miracle child grow up to become a mother herself? What is it like to then see your daughter's daughter for the first time? Answers to those questions and many more will be answered in this Mother's Day Special Heart to Heart with Anna episode. Meg Didier is a 30-year-old hHLHS survivor and a mother. After we finished recording her episode, “HLHS Survivor and Mother” earlier this year, I said it would be so wonderful to have her back on the show with her own mother for May 2023, especially in celebration of Mothers’ Day and she agreed.Patty Hansen and I “met” online over two decades ago, when the Internet was young. We met via a listserv and shared inspiring stories about our heart warriors, questions we had, and shared concerns. We prayed for one another, gave helpful advice, and encouraged one another. When I decided to put together an anthology of stories by women

What is myocardial bridging? Why might someone with myocardial bridging have a heart attack? What is The Heart Chamber?Boots Knighton is a 45-year-old myocardial bridging survivor from Victor, Idaho, and an avid mountain biker. She suffered a heart attack while biking when she was in her 40s. To correct the myocardial bridging, she underwent open-heart surgery in 2021. Her experiences have inspired her to start a podcast, called “The Heart Chamber,” and she is also working on a book. In this episode, we'll learn about how Boots' condition was diagnosed, why she started a podcast, and how she's also writing a book.Links mentioned in this episode:The Facebook group that saved Boots' life:https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyocardialBridgeBoots' podcast, The Heart Chamber:www.theheartchamberpodcast.com@theheartchamberpodcastBoots' blog:https://suzannebootsknighton.substack.com/Just a quick shout-out to all of the amazing supporters who like, share, and comment on our program via Facebo

Dana Henning is mother to Evan Henning, who is a 12-year-old Heart Warrior born with a critical congenital heart defect. Evan has has multiple procedures and open-heart surgeries. His life is very full of therapy appointments, homeschool activities, and extra-curricular activities such as Special Olympics and track.Dana is musically gifted. She is a former music teacher and choir director. These days she homeschools Evan and works as the Mended Little Hearts Austin Coordinator. She also works with the Parent Faculty Advisory Counsel at Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, Texas. She serves on the Cardiac Patient & Family Partners team and her family is a member of the Dell Children’s Trust.In this episode, Dana talks to Anna about what Mended Little Hearts does for the congenital heart defect community, how she is involved, and some of the activities the Austin Mended Little Hearts organization participates in. Of special note is an event occurring at an ice skating rink in Cedar Park in April 2023.Links m

Today's episode features Vicky Gooden, the author of My Wonder Line and the winner of the 2022 Baby Hearts Press People’s Choice Award. In this episode, we will hear about how Vicky came to write her book, what it meant to her to win the BHP People’s Choice Award, and what the future holds for this very special author and her book.Vicky Gooden is a senior consumer marketing professional with a career spanning over 18 years. She spent 15 years in the creative entertainment industries, working with record labels and broadcast television. She headed up United Kingdom and international marketing teams. Now Vicky is a freelance marketing consultant working with small businesses in industries, including interior design and healthcare.A full-time mother, Vicky, understands the rigors of motherhood. She is a blogger and encourages other bloggers, as well. In the congenital heart defect community, she is probably best known for the book she wrote, My Wonder Line which is a children’s picture book about a little g

Welcome to the 4th and final Medical Monday mini-series episode of Heart to Heart with Anna for Heart Month, February 2023.How can you do heart surgery through a hole in the groin? It seems like magic, but is it? What is a Maze Procedure? Why might someone need a pacemaker, even if they've had an ablation? How can heart valves be replaced via catheterization?Tune in to hear certified, registered nurse anesthetist, Frank Jaworski, explain how these heart surgeries can occur, what kinds of problems doctors face when doing these procedures, and why anyone would want to have a procedure done this way rather than through open-heart surgery.If you enjoyed this episode, you might enjoy the other Medical Monday episodes for Heart Month, February 2023:A Parent Heart-Lung Machine: The Ultimate Gift https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/12289338Medical Monday #2: Monkey Lungs!https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/12242283HeartWorks Update 2023https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/12191542Just a quick shout-out to all of the amazi

This is the final Heart Dad Sunday mini-series episode for Heart Month, February 2023. Frank Jaworski, Anna Jaworski's husband, and Heart Dad to a single ventricle heart warrior is back as the Guest Host. In this episode he interviews Dan Rodenbaugh.Dan is father to Caylee Rodenbaugh, who was born on June 26, 2009, at St. Luke’s hospital in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Caylee is his fourth daughter, but the first one with a heart condition.Dan Rodenbaugh is 52 years of age and he’s been happily married to Marie for 27 years. He was born with a heart defect and was treated at Children’s Mercy Hospital until he was 18 years old.He had a heart murmur which led to the discovery of his heart condition. Regardless, he did sports, including football, although he tired easier than other athletes his age.In this episode, Frank talks to Dan about growing up with a congenital heart defect, what it was like to find out that his daughter also had a congenital heart defect, and what advice he has for his daughters and othe

This is our final episode for our Saturday Success Stories mini-series for Heart Month, February 2023, and it's hard to imagine any greater success story than the 40 Heart Warriors who have come together to create an amazing anthology called The Heart of a Heart Warrior: Congenital Heart Defect Stories of Hope. This is the book that these Heart Warriors and their families and friends would have loved to have read to help them better understand what it means to live a life with a broken heart.Co-editors, Anna Jaworski and Megan Tones, open this podcast by talking about what the process of putting together a book like this has been like. They then take turns, just as they do in the book, with conducting mini-interviews with a handful of Heart Warrior contributors in the 2nd and 3rd segments. You'll hear about new projects these authors are working on, how their lives have changed over the years since this project first came to be, or why they chose the topic they did. Anna hopes even more of the Heart

With congenital heart defects being the #1 birth defect around the globe, there are many people touched by this condition. At least 1% of the population is born with a heart defect. Many of them will be innocent murmurs that will close up on their own. But some people have more serious heart conditions.In this special mini-series episode for Heart Month 2023, Anna asks her Listeners to identify some famous movies which depict someone with a congenital heart condition (CHC). Since congenital heart conditions are ubiquitous, it's interesting to see how people with these conditions are portrayed in the movies and what role the CHC plays in the movie's plot. Do you think the movies we chose did a good job of showing the world what it's like to have a CHC? Send us an email to Anna@hearttoheartwithanna.com to let us know what you think!Other Links To CHD in Society episodes you may enjoy:CHDs in Society #3: The Musicians https://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/12273541CHDs in Society #2: The Athletes https:

Welcome to the 4th CHD Spotlight episode for Heart Month 2023. Our Expert Guest is HUG MAB member, Chris Donald. Chris Donald is a pediatric cardiology nurse and she was born with a complex congenital heart defect. Chris Donald also serves on the Hearts Unite the Globe Medical Board.Today's CHD Spotlight is on a type of heart defect commonly referred to as “TGA” or “TGV” -- transposition of the great arteries or transposition of the great vessels -- which are synonyms. We'll also learn about the difference between L-TGA and D-TGA, as well as, what cc-TGA means.The other Heart to Heart with Anna episode featuring Chris Donald, RN:Heart Warrior Doctor-Nurse Team: Treating Pediatric Cardiology Patientshttps://www.buzzsprout.com/62761/3725774Just a quick shout-out to all of the amazing supporters who like, share, and comment on our program via Facebook and Instagram. Thank you all!Support the showAnna's Buzzsprout Affiliate LinkBaby Blue Sound CollectiveSocial Media Pages:Apple PodcastsFacebookInst

Here is another episode in our Wednesday Writer Chat series of “Heart to Heart with Anna.” This is a special mini-series produced for Heart Month, February 2023.Today’s show is Beauty Queen Author and our Guest is Faith Brackett. We’ll start today’s program by learning a bit about Faith and her health condition in Segment 1. In the second segment, we’ll talk about how Faith came to write a book and in the final segment, we’ll talk about how Tablet Talk and how Faith and her sister are working to help other children in the hospital.Faith Brackett was born in the mid-1990s with HLHS. She has had 8 open-heart surgeries and was the first child to undergo what is now known as the bi-ventricle repair. She also received a valve-in-valve tricuspid replacement via the cath lab. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in K-8 Elementary Education and a minor in Psychology. Faith has worn many hats, including educator, advocating for people with CHD, serving with CHD organizations, member of the Ultimate International Miss Organizat

How can one mom make a difference when it comes to children born with special needs? What kind of comfort and support is available to children living with a range of illnesses and disabilities? How can you get involved in helping our most vulnerable children feel supported?Lilac Lumpkin is a mom to angel Heart Warrior Jaxon, who was born with HLHS. Jaxon loved many things in his life: pizza, superheroes, mac & cheese, and his mom. He never complained and never gave up. Jaxon lived to 5 years of age - 3 years longer than the doctors expected. To honor his life, Lilac started promoting a charity "Warrior Pets and More" which provides comfort and support to children living with special needs and raises awareness for a range of illnesses and disabilities. The charity provides children with their own “Warrior Pet,” a customized stuffed animal embroidered with the child’s name and inspirational messages and shares the child’s story on their Facebook page. Every year for Jaxon’s birthday, Lilac and her

This is the 3rd episode in our Medical Monday mini-series for Heart Month, February 2023.  What pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon seemed "too Hollywood"? Why? What is cross circulation and what was this experimental technique the predecessor of?  This Medical Monday episode deals with an amazing experimental surgical technique developed by Dr. C. Walton Lillehei. Frank and Anna Jaworski talk about what they learned about this procedure in the book King of Hearts by Rhode Island writer, G. Wayne Miller. Dr. C. Walton Lillehei used cross circulation on 45 patients in the 1950s to operate on children with congenital heart defects. These children would have died without some form of surgical intervention. Not all of his surgeries were successful using this experimental technique, but it is amazing how many of his patients did survive! This technique was used on the first successful surgery to correct ventricular septal defect, atrioventricular canal defect, and tetralogy of Fallot. Thanks to the work d