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I was a fighter from day one. I was born with a heart condition. I was what doctors call a blue baby, born with a heart on the opposite side and upside down. My arteries and valves were closing. The doctors at the hospital said I would not live.
 Then a young doctor just out of med school gave my parents hope. His name was Dr. Henry Heins. I was then transferred to Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.
There I had my first operation. The surgeon went in, opening arteries and valves. I had a happy childhood. My parents never stopped me from doing what I wanted and treated me like you would any other child. I took up ballet and tap.
At the age of 5, my heart had grown and the valves and arteries where closing again. So, another operation for me. So back to Childrens Hospital. I never remember being frightened. I guess if you're born with something you know no different. Just went in and had my operation.
At Childrens again, I was like any normal American little girl. The only diffrence was that I had two scars on my back and had to take meds every morning. At the age of 13, again I started turning a little blue and had to have my 3rd operation, this time at UCLA. Dr Lax operated and put a pigs valve in.
For 22 years, I had no problems. I lived a very happy life. Graduated from High Scool and College, got married and moved up north to Monterey. At 35, I started getting ill doctors did not know what was wrong, turned out that I had a bacterial infection growing on my heart. At UCLA, Dr. Lax performed a operation to remove my pigs valve and replace with a mechanical valve.
Today, 5 years later, I am healthy with no complications. I have sinced moved to Palm Desert and live a very happy single life. I have learned to live life to the fullest, never put off what you can do today becouse you never know what tommorrow might bring. I take each day as it comes. My life has not been a easy one, but I have taken it in stride.
I just celebrated my 42nd Birthday and each day I am happy to be alive. Dr Henry Heins passed away 15 years ago, I would like to thank him for looking over me in the heavens above.
I would also like to thank the team at Childrens Hospital. The staff at UCLA, Dr. Child, Dr.Lax, Pam Miner and Linda Houser in saving my life. A special thanks goes to my parents, in never giving up and always being there for me.
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