In December of 2016 I was diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy, heart failure that is related to pregnancy. You can read about what led to my diagnosis in my blog post Empty Arms and a Broken Heart. I was terrified after my diagnosis and I went in search of information and support. That’s how I found the Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) Survivor Support Facebook Group. In that group I shared my story and started talking to other PPCM survivors. I’d found the support that I had been in search of since being diagnosed. Of course I have the support of my family and friends, but having others who had a similar story and could give me advice and hope from their own experiences was what I needed.
When we PCSed to North Carolina I posted in the group that I was looking for a good cardiologist and that’s when I was sent a link to the PPCM Survivors in North Carolina Facebook Group. They welcomed me in and gave me recommendations and information I needed. This past weekend I got to meet some of these awesome ladies. We met up a park in NC for a picnic lunch. We fellowshipped and shared our stories. The most heartbreaking commonality among us is that our concerns were not always taken seriously by our healthcare providers. One Heart Sister shared that she had been categorized as a complainer. I was given medication for my cough and told that my fatigue and trouble breathing was just a common symptom of pregnancy. Sadly, this is what happens to many mothers because like me before my diagnosis they have never heard of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM) and some of the symptoms of PPCM do mirror symptoms of pregnancy. 
There were many times during this event that I had to hold back tears because I remembered how alone I felt after my diagnosis and here I was with a group of survivors. In addition to meeting up with these Heart Sisters I was at this event with my post PPCM baby after learning at diagnosis that I would most likely not be able to have another baby. Hearing that I may not be able to have more children a month after losing my newborn was extra devastating, but I gained hope, awareness and a sisterhood like no other from these groups of PPCM survivors.
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