Amy Skrobis

 Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Support Network

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My name is amy..amyls. I was diagnosed with PPCM following a complicated pregnancy in July of 2000.

At 29 weeks, I began to have the beginning stages of Preeclamsia. I was already being seen 2 times a week for Non stress tests.(I had 3 previous losses, so they wanted to monitor me closely). At 31 weeks I was put on bedrest and only all go to the bathroom. I got worse...each time I went I had gained at least 5 pounds.(water). At my 35 week ck they told me....go to the hospital, that O was going to have the baby then! I went, he was born 2 and a half hours later, and the only reason they waited that long was I drank some orange juice for the NST. I had also gone into e-clamisa and my kidneys had shut down.

After the emergency c-sect they put me in isolation with a magnesium-sulfate drip. When my kidney continued to get worse. They were very concerned, Preeclamsia is supposed to get better after delivery this was definatley not happening. Nathan was beautiful and perfect despite being born 5 weeks early. He was 5 pounds 15 ounces and 18 inches long. Though with me in isolation I could only see Polaroid of him. 36 hours later I was back on the floor and continuing to get worse, my lungs were filling up with fluids, and my kidneys still hadn't kicked in. For a week I was tested for everything..from pnueomonia, to PE. I couldn't breath at all, I really thought I was going to die. Our priest even came and anointed me, because they had no idea if I was going to make it. My pulse ox was down to 80 , and about 7 DOC's were rushing in my room. I guess the rest is history. Finally on Saturday, my OB's partner insisted on Cardiology coming down(they were going to do it on Monday).

I was moved up to the cardiology unit, and they brought me a bassinet for Nathan whe he visited. I was the only one on the floor with "IT'S A BOY" on the door! Once on the floor I was told by my cardiologist that if the meds didn't start working within 24 hours, I would need a heart transplant(I'm finding out many of us were at that point.) My EF was 20%, and I was also in CHF.
I also had a stroke a week after having Nathan. Thankfully only a small part of my vision is affected.

Finally, after a total of 2 weeks, one one the L&D floor, and one cardiology I was finally discharged. With a handful of meds and my Life back! I had so many people praying for me it is unreal. I got cards in the hospital from people I didn't know! Although, I know the meds are a factor, I also feel God gave me my chance again. My husband Mark was also a major factor, he is truly a wonderful man. even though the hospital was 25 mins away he came 3 times a day. Once with my older boys, once with Nathan, and then himself.

I do also give God a lot of credit, though the meds help, I believe he had a lot to do with my getting better too. I never would have made it through w/ out my faith.

At 2.5 yrs my Ef dropped to 35-40%, but slowly it has gotten better.

Now almost 4.5 yrs later I am still on Toprol XL, enalapril, and coumadin. I am also on HCTZ (a water pill) and potassium.

My EF is about 45-50% now.

My boys are getting so big, and I am glad to be apart of their lives.
amy
amyls