Being told I was going to die by a stupid doctor who obviously had been reading old studies almost discouraged me. But, who is a doctor to tell me what Gods plans are for me?
I don't believe that God gave me an illness, I believe God gave me a mission.
Think about it. Before you were diagnosed, had you ever heard of PPCM? If you had, do you think that you would have mentioned the symptoms and condition relation to your physician and been diagnosed sooner, thus having a better prognosis?
Well, if you don't - that won't discourage me either.
I'm on a mission...
I want for the condition "Peripartum Cardiomyopathy" to be as well known as the condition "Gestational Diabeties" when it comes to pregnancy. I want the symptoms to be looked for by physicians, I want mommie's-to-be to know what to do in the even that they are abruptly smacked upside the head with shortness of breath and a cough - I don't want them to accept the words "oh, it's normal in pregnancy" or "you've just had a baby honey, fatigue, sweating and shortness of breath are normal"
Chances are if your body feels like something is wrong - something IS!
So while on my very first visit post diagnosis I was told to prepare to die, I prepared to do something else - educate!
I'm a stubborn woman. And I won't die until I have reached every woman I can possibly reach, so that I can inform them of this condition.
Many women with peripartum cardiomyopathy wish to "forget about it" or "not dwell on it" well, I choose to dwell on it, to talk about it as though I am proud of it, and to approach women because I care, and because it is important to me.
I truly believe that this condition is much more wide spread than what old research shows it to be... the women just aren't diagnosed, aren't treated, and eventually pass away...but because they have missed the 6 month time frame to be diagnosed, they are said to die of "natrual causes" or "heart related complications" I know that if more women could be reached, more people had the condition in their vocabulary, that more women would survive this reversable condition.

Here is what I am currently working on, in addition to the website in which you are viewing
*Peripartum Cardiomyopathy National Organization
I have already looked into, and began the process of a national PPCM organization. Eventually, you will be able to open current chapters in your area, giving you access to people on and off the internet to inform and support
*Car Decals and T-Shirts
No, I am not being ridiculous, how many times have you visited a website that you saw on someones bumper sticker? I do it often, and I want the conditin KNOWN!
*Letter Campaigning
Many of you are doing this with me. If you find a website on women, women's heath, parenting, etc, and you see nothing about PPCM listed - email them, offer the information, and try to get the word out on their website, I have gotten the www.ppcmsupport.net link listed on quite a few websites. In addition to websites, contact magazines, talk shows, hospitals, everyone you can think of, offer articles, stories and support this way
*Mint Green Ribbon
Yes, our own color, our own ribbon. Wear one while you run your errands, see how many people will ask you what your ribbon represents, you will be surprised at how many people you will reach this way. Read about it here.
*American Heart Association Literature
You would be surprised at how little information the AHA offers on this condition. I am currently working with an organization to get a peripartum cardiomyopathy pamphlet in print
*American Heart Association Advocate
I am also a volunteer for the American Heart Advocate, I write letters to congress, and help anyway I can. Other heart conditions in addition to PPCM affect people everywhere - I am fasinated with the heart - you can learn more about volunteering at: American Heart Association

My Mission does not have to be yours. Our purposes in life are much different in every aspect. Make your own mission, do your own thing, as long as it makes you feel good.