Fontan With a Future
My life, like the lives of so many people living with congenital heart defects, is a medical miracle. For decades, Fontan and single ventricle patients were consigned to permanent sickness and disability. But today, thanks to advances in medicine and surgery, patients like me can not only enjoy life, but hope for the future! This podcast is created by a person with congenital heart defects for the CHD community and anyone interested in stories of medicine, perseverance, and hope. Join me, Taylor, as I share about life with a single ventricle, my journey through medical training, and important information all heart warriors should know.
Episodes
16 episodes
Lessons from the Heart: Alex's Surrogacy Journey
Join me this episode as I speak with Alex about starting a family through surrogacy. She shares about life with CHD, the decision-making process surrounding carrying a pregnancy, and the experience of having two beautiful children with the help...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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48:25
Lessons from the Heart: Tyler's Athletic Pursuit
Join me as I interview Tyler, a fellow heart warrior, about his experience playing sports, receiving a pacemaker, and healing from vocal cord damage. He shares tips and tricks about how his family empowered him to be a competitive athlete and h...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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34:35
Lessons from the Heart: Lorrie's Road to Transplant
Join me as I chat with Lorrie about her experience with CHD and receiving a heart transplant. She shares about adapting to life in college with heart failure, undergoing transplant evaluation, recovering from transplant surgery, and living with...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:02:42
Lessons from the Heart: My Mother's Story
Join me as I interview my own mother about her experience as a heart mom. She shares about her pregnancy with me, receiving my cardiac diagnosis, and living at the hospital during my surgeries. She also discusses what it was like raising me and...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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45:20
Lessons from the Heart: Meagan Houpt's Exercise Journey
Join me as I kick off this season with fellow heart warrior Meagan Houpt and learn about her journey with exercise. From struggling to walk half a mile to completing intense workouts on a daily basis, Meagan shares how small goals can make a hu...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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42:48
Fontan 101: Mental Health
Did you know that Fontan patients have a 7 fold higher burden of anxiety, depression, and PTSD? In this episode, join me as I discuss mental health in the Fontan population, fostering resilience in the face of chronic illness, and importa...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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37:52
Fontan 101: Pregnancy
Did you know there are many Fontan patients who have safely carried and delivered healthy children? In this episode, join me as I discuss the physiological changes associated with pregnancy, risk and considerations of pregnancy in the Fontan pa...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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31:16
Fontan 101: Liver Changes
Did you know Fontan patients can have changes in their liver as soon as 5 years after their Fontan surgeries? In this episode, join me as I discuss Fontan Associated Liver Disease (FALD), different methods of liver testing, and current strategi...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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26:04
Fontan 101: Exercise
Did you know that you can increase your venous return and improve your circulation by building lower body strength? In this episode, join me as I discuss the importance of exercise for Fontan patients, the changes that occur in Fontan circulati...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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26:58
Fontan 101: Nutrition
Did you know the foods you eat on a regular basis can impact your health and heart down the road? In this episode, join me as I discuss nutritional research, heart health, and ways to prevent disease as individuals living with Fontan circulatio...
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26:11
Fontan 101: Hydration
Did you know you can increase the effectiveness of your cardiovascular system just by drinking more fluid? In this episode, join me as I discuss the mechanics of Fontan circulation and why staying hydrated can make all the difference.
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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16:33
How is CHD Managed over a Lifetime?
Over 1 million children and 1.5 million adults are living with CHD in the US. In this episode, join me and I discuss annual cardiology appointments, cardiac imaging, blood work, and medications prescribed to keep individuals with CHD as healthy...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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21:33
How is CHD Treated?
Over the past several decades, there have been incredible advances in how we approach and treat CHD. In this episode, join me as I talk about various cardiac interventions, the Fontan procedure, and new treatments options under investigation.&n...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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19:59
How is CHD Diagnosed?
With so many advances in imaging, we are able to detect many cases of CHD before birth. In this episode, join me as I explore fetal cardiac development, ways to diagnose CHD, and limitations in our approach to prenatal detection.
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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20:22