Your Dreams Can Happen: Believe It! [Strength and Spirit Series]

By Yacxara, as part of our Strength and Spirit Series

We heart kids � and adults � may be born with certain challenges, but we really aren�t that different than anyone else. We all want to grow up and go to school, go to college, get married and have kids. We don�t always know if that will happen, but we should know that it can happen … never think it can�t.

My name is Yacxara; I�m 31 years old and am from Corpus Christi, Texas. I was born a twin prematurely at 7 months, weighing only 4 lbs. My brother was born super healthy. Besides the heart condition, I was also born with bilateral cleft lip and palate.

I was born with tetralogy of fallot and had a couple shunts put in when I was a baby and had the hole repaired as well. But my pulmonary artery didn�t fully develop, so I had it replaced when I was 5 years old and that lasted me for 19 years. So, at age 24 I had it replaced again, and I�m now going on seven years since my last heart surgery.

I�ve had a total of five heart surgeries since birth. I did have some complications after my surgery when I was 5, as my pulmonary artery was the size of an adult�s. We were all thinking I would grow into it, and I eventually did, but it was so heavy it collapsed my left lung, and 75 percent of it had to be removed.

I had a lot of lung issues after that, including multiple cases of bronchitis or pneumonia, especially throughout the winter.�My oxygen levels were also quite low; my breathing issues were treated like asthma symptoms because of my limited lung capacity.�I couldn�t do much � no PE class in school, no sports, no running � but I rode roller coasters (ha ha)!�

I basically grew up in and out of hospitals for the multiple surgeries to address everything I was born with. School and my education were all that was mine, and no one could tell me that I couldn�t do it. I finished high school in 2007 and went on to get my B.A.�in theology and biblical studies in 2011, and I got my master�s in family ministry in December 2018.

Since my last surgery, the pulmonary artery replacement, my lungs are like I have two again! My oxygen level is amazing. I had a baby boy�two years ago and carried him to 37 weeks with no complications. My heart is strong and healthy, and I can do so much more with more lung capacity.

I usually get my heart checked once a year; but I got it checked every six months before, during and after my pregnancy. I have never taken medication for my heart.

So, my life is my message. For all of you heart moms and dads: Your kids will have a normal life. It�s their normal! You just love them and support them. Don�t let their heart condition define them; they are capable of so much more than you think.

And for the heart kids, if you have any questions, I�ll be happy to help answer them anytime. I know everyone�s heart issue is unique, but please know that you�re not alone. To all of my fellow heart warriors: Keep pressing on, life is worth living!