Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

NewWhat does caregiving look like when you’re living nearly 9,000 miles apart? Fortunately, our guests have the answer! In this episode of The Mighty Podcast, host Ashley is joined by Dani — who lives with symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — and her daughter Kassidy. Together, the trio discusses Dani’s life from symptom onset to [...]

Kara Felton was sitting on a bench at the playground, watching her son, Julian, play. Upon spotting a free patch of wood chips, 3-year-old Julian decided to explore. This, however, was unacceptable to another 3-year-old playing nearby. Little did Julian know, this other kid had claimed that foot-wide section of wood chips for himself, and [...]

It was the Fourth of July and we were celebrating in style: food, firecrackers — fierce Texas heat. We swam, and drank, and roasted s’mores on the fire pit. The kids ate popsicles. The men smoked cigars and tended to the bar-b-que. I hid my six-week postpartum body behind a mu-mu, making my husband the [...]

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what exactly are those words? What’s the worth of something that’s carefully curated, filtered and posed? I’ll tell you. I’m a recovering pretend-post addict, after all. Our most recent family photos were met with many words of praise: “Your children are beautiful!” “You look so [...]

I am a heart mom, and our family is full of stories. Stories of joy and of a journey with unexpected hurdles and the glorious victories that come with having a child born with a rare and serious heart condition. Our world is complicated, but beautiful. It is hospital grays and multi-colored rainbows, equipment and [...]

Today was a hard day. I am so glad to be home. So glad to have this sweet boy snuggled in my lap again, sleeping next to me in bed. Yet, when I look at him, there is a flash – just a nanosecond – where I think of his death. My heart shudders, and [...]