My name is Heather Clack and here is my story. I was diagnosed with ppcm feb.24,2000. I gave birth to my 4th son feb.20, 2000. I had an easy uneventful labor. 12 hrs later I had my tubes tied. when I woke up from surgery I was told that when they intubated.

Me, I had a bronchial spasm. I gave them a scare but seemed fine. The next day I went home from the hospital. that night I woke up around 2 am and could not breathe right. It just felt like I could breathe in, I just couldn't breathe out. I remember my stomach felt like it was heaving. We went to the hospital where I went through an ekg, and some other tests and was diagnosed with pnemonia and asthma. They admitted me and I spent 3 days there.

I was mad, I thought it was their fault, etc. I just didn't feel right though, I felt like I was dying. Well, I went home and that same night I woke up not being able to breathe, but now my asthma puffer thing was not helping. So off to the hospital again. This time my doctor ordered an echo and then I felt like my whole world turned upside down. My lung doctor came in with a real upbeat attitude saying we know what's wrong, now we can treat it.

I was admitted into to the cardiology floor and then my cardiologist came in and gave me the low down. My ef was 30-35% he told me basically I'd either get better on medications or ultimately need a heart transplant. From that point on I don't remember a whole lot. All I could think is that I am only 27 years old...this does not happen to people my age. I was so scared and depressed. I was afraid everytime I fell asleep I would not wake up. For 3 months I took my pulse at least 5 times an hour. I started immediately on 25mg of Coreg, Prinival, Lasix and potassium. I remember I lost 18 lbs overnight on Lasix!! My husband was so wonderful during this life changing time. He always believed I would get better. When I told him 25-50% of women die within 5 years of diagnosis he would point out that 75% did not! Within 3 months, my heart went back to normal size and function. 4 months after diagnoses my doctor cut my meds in half.

October of 2000 I went off all meds and did a repeat echo in Jan of 2001 and my ef was 73%!!!! I found alot of strenghth from Kim's PPCM support group. When you look up stuff about PPCM on the internet it is scary, so to read stories like mine where people who actually have PPCM and got better felt like an answer to my prayers. Having PPCM has changed my life for the better and the worse. I appreciate my family and myself in a different way. I also deal with anxiety and a fear of death that I did not have before. Ultimately, if God gives you lemons, you have to turn around and make lemon-ade. ClackFamily@cs.com