Long COVID survivor Olivia Lopez (center) with her parents, Sacramento and Laura Lopez. (Photo courtesy of Catia Lopez) Lea en español Olivia Lopez came home from school one day, walked into her mom’s office and announced: “I can’t smell.” It was November 2020, so then-13-year-old Olivia and her mom knew what this likely meant. A…
Heart transplant recipient Alicia Wilson (right) with her daughter, Shannon. (Photo courtesy of Alicia Wilson) In her late 40s, Alicia Wilson had a hectic schedule. She had a full-time job administering contracts, was a single mom of a busy high schooler, and had decided to take on the challenge of going back to school for…
Stroke survivor Saundra Minge. (Photo courtesy of Saundra Minge) Even though her neck was throbbing, Saundra Minge invited her 7-year-old nephew and 3-year-old niece over for a Labor Day swim. She chalked up the pain to sleeping funny and thought it would go away. For five hours, she played with the kids in the pool….
Congenital heart defect survivor Sadie Conway (right) with her twin sister, Skylar. (Photo courtesy of the Conway family) At their babies’ 20-week ultrasound, Bridget and Jerrid Conway were eager to catch another glimpse of their twin girls. In the exam room, the technician moved the wand over Bridget’s stomach. When she lingered over Twin A,…
Stroke survivor Trenden Johnston (far right) in 2019 with his siblings, from left: Kody Blough, Ava Orpen and Emma Johnston. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Blough) Ten days before his 13th birthday, Trenden Johnston spent the afternoon doing yardwork and bouncing on a trampoline. So when his mom left to pick up dinner, he went to…
Patricia Harden survived takotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome. (Photo courtesy of Patricia Harden) Life has not slowed for Patricia Harden of Oakland, California, since she sold her public relations company in 2020 or since retiring from her remaining consulting work the following year. Now 73, she’s serving on the board of nonprofits,…
Sophia Schilpp had a massive headache that led to a diagnosis of heart block and needing a pacemaker. (Photo courtesy of the Schlipp family) Kindergartener Sophia Schilpp came home from school gripping her temples. Her head was pounding, and the pain made her throw up. She snuggled on the couch with her favorite pineapple blanket,…
Congenital heart defect survivor Henry Johnson (center) and two of his care providers, Dr. Marko Vezmar (right) and nurse practitioner Jocelyn Berbee. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Johnson) Stephanie Johnson waited in her hospital room for her newborn son, Henry, to return from one last test. Her husband, Tyler, started bringing belongings to the car as…
Heart attack and stroke survivor Romi Singh. (Photo courtesy of Romi Singh) Since he was a teenager living in England, Romi Singh devoted his life to airplanes and flying. At 16, he became a glider pilot with the Royal Air Force Cadets. When his family moved to Canada, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets….
Heart disease survivor Ashley Breaux with her family. From left: daughter Charlotte Breaux-Purtle, partner Brandon Purtle, Ashley and daughter Claire Breaux. (Photo courtesy of Ashley Breaux) As a nurse practitioner who is passionate about helping patients make better lifestyle choices, Ashley Breaux admits she may be a bit more anxious about her own health than…