Your Dreams Can Happen: Believe It! [Strength and Spirit Series]

By Yacxara, as part of our Strength and Spirit Series

We heart kids — and adults — may be born with certain challenges, but we really aren’t that different than anyone else. We all want to grow up and go to school, go to college, get married and have kids. We don’t always know if that will happen, but we should know that it can happen … never think it can’t.

My name is Yacxara; I’m 31 years old and am from Corpus Christi, Texas. I was born a twin prematurely at 7 months, weighing only 4 lbs. My brother was born super healthy. Besides the heart condition, I was also born with bilateral cleft lip and palate.

I was born with tetralogy of fallot and had a couple shunts put in when I was a baby and had the hole repaired as well. But my pulmonary artery didn’t fully develop, so I had it replaced when I was 5 years old and that lasted me for 19 years. So, at age 24 I had it replaced again, and I’m now going on seven years since my last heart surgery.

I’ve had a total of five heart surgeries since birth. I did have some complications after my surgery when I was 5, as my pulmonary artery was the size of an adult’s. We were all thinking I would grow into it, and I eventually did, but it was so heavy it collapsed my left lung, and 75 percent of it had to be removed.

I had a lot of lung issues after that, including multiple cases of bronchitis or pneumonia, especially throughout the winter. My oxygen levels were also quite low; my breathing issues were treated like asthma symptoms because of my limited lung capacity. I couldn’t do much — no PE class in school, no sports, no running — but I rode roller coasters (ha ha)! 

I basically grew up in and out of hospitals for the multiple surgeries to address everything I was born with. School and my education were all that was mine, and no one could tell me that I couldn’t do it. I finished high school in 2007 and went on to get my B.A. in theology and biblical studies in 2011, and I got my master’s in family ministry in December 2018.

Since my last surgery, the pulmonary artery replacement, my lungs are like I have two again! My oxygen level is amazing. I had a baby boy two years ago and carried him to 37 weeks with no complications. My heart is strong and healthy, and I can do so much more with more lung capacity.

I usually get my heart checked once a year; but I got it checked every six months before, during and after my pregnancy. I have never taken medication for my heart.

So, my life is my message. For all of you heart moms and dads: Your kids will have a normal life. It’s their normal! You just love them and support them. Don’t let their heart condition define them; they are capable of so much more than you think.

And for the heart kids, if you have any questions, I’ll be happy to help answer them anytime. I know everyone’s heart issue is unique, but please know that you’re not alone. To all of my fellow heart warriors: Keep pressing on, life is worth living!