By Kelly Deeny

So, perhaps my heart’s not actually being torn in three places, but it’s the closest analogy I've got. On Sunday, June 9, there are three different events happening simultaneously and I haven’t decided which one(s) I’m attending.

The past two years I’ve been honored to participate in the Delaware Valley Congenital Heart Walk in support of the Adult Congenital Heart Association. I am proud to help bring consciousness to a cause that matters to me and to an organization that does tremendous work for those of us whose lives have been changed due to congenital heart defects. This year, the Delaware Valley Congenital Heart Walk is taking place on Sunday, June 9, and I’m not sure I’ll be present.

By Kelly Deeny

Perhaps you recall my mentioning that I hate exercise. Because I do. It’s effort. It’s work and all of my work ethic is focused on my career.

Having said that, I’ve found one form of fitness that I deem to be acceptable and even fun. I know, my family and friends probably rolled their eyes on that one but it’s possible. I…love…Zumba! Primarily because even though I’m moving for the full 45 minutes with sweat dripping off my body, I am having a good time. I am dancing, stretching and surrounded by others who are enjoying the class as much as I am.

By Kelly Deeny

Thirty-six, single and a congenital heart patient—I highly doubt that childbirth is likely in my lifetime. At least this go-round.

I love kids, don't get me wrong. They gravitate to me and I to them. I adore my sisters' children and find myself smiling at every little one I meet. My maternal instinct kicked in when I was still a child and hasn't dwindled in all these years. But even if I never give birth I will be proud and honored to remain Aunt Kelly...or one day adopt.

By Kelly Deeny

It warms my heart to know how many amazing friends I have! Each one brings something much needed into my life. The number of people I call “friend” is significant but their effect on my being is even greater. I could write for pages on just how remarkable each and every friend is to me but today’s blog post is dedicated to three of them in particular.

By Kelly Deeny

Actually, it's not just on my sleeve. It's prominently featured, like in the men made of tin and iron. It glows from within, guiding me along my journey. Sometimes it leads the way and other times I veer off-course so as to protect it from harm.

By Kelly Deeny

Choosing a doctor is as important to me as choosing a boyfriend. Stay with me on this...

With a boyfriend, I look for someone who’s thoughtful, open-minded and understanding. Someone who can see through my “I’m fine” responses and get to the heart of the situation. My doctor, no matter the specialty, must do the same.

By Kelly Deeny

With every irregular beat of my heart I am surrounded by love. From my family, my friends and whatever religious/spiritual figure you call God or Goddess.

It’s interesting to me how we symbolize love, emotion and feeling with the heart. “It warms the heart” or “My heart is filled with so much happiness.” I don’t quite know why or how this connection came to be but I feel deep in my heart that we’re right!

By Kelly Deeny

I turned 35 two weeks ago. I have no problem telling people my age or making it known that it’s my birthday. Not that I expect everyone to be as excited as I am, but while many people dread the anniversary of their birth, I look forward to reaching a new milestone. I don’t mind getting older—it’s quite simply a celebration that I’m still here!

This week my youngest sister gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, who decided to arrive a week ahead of schedule. I have a feeling he’ll fit in very nicely within our family! As I held that precious child in my arms I thought, once again, of all those children born with a heart defect (myself included). I marveled at their strength, determination and independence. So tiny, yet so resilient. Fragile yet strong.

By Kelly Deeny

Walking: One of the few forms of exercise that I enjoy. When I walk, be it around my neighborhood, a local park or my office building, I’m able to enjoy my surroundings. It’s time to think, to ponder and to daydream. To get some “fresh” air and have time to catch up with friends and family. When I start thinking about walking for my health I recall how I came to become more involved with ACHA.

By Kelly Deeny

I’m defective. Or so I’ve been told. While the initial response may prompt hurt feelings and/or shock, I accept it as truth. I have a defect—one that I was born with.

The word "defect" tends to inspire negative connotations, as though there’s something lacking. Sometimes it’s physical. Other times emotional or even mental. You’re labeled as “less than” when, in fact, we all have something that can be improved upon. There are those who’ve battled addiction. Others who’ve struggled with challenging weight issues. What some would determine to be defects, I view as simply part of an individual journey. Their lives are their own to live. They have choices to make just as I do.

By Kelly Deeny

I have a confession to make—I am absolutely, positively, unequivocally a hopeless romantic! Phew…it feels wonderful to get that off my chest. I read romance novels, watch soap operas, love fairytales and believe in the concept of soul mates. If a support group existed for those of us with this “affliction,” I’d join in a heartbeat (pun intended). Maybe I’ll have to start my own!

By Kelly Deeny

I follow my heart most of the time. It doesn’t always serve me well, but I still let it guide me where it chooses. I trust it to know what’s best—to understand my limitations, both physically and spiritually. After all, it’s been through a great deal. It was in need of repair from the start, yet it held on. It kept beating. Kept me alive. It knew struggle and so have I. We’re a pair. It takes care of me. And yet...

I don’t always return the favor.

By Kelly Deeny

I am resolute about many things. My family. My friends. My artistic abilities. But my resolution for 2012 is to take better care of my heart—emotionally, spiritually and physically.

You may recall an earlier post I wrote about how much I detest exercising and eating healthy foods that taste like cardboard. I still think the latter holds true but I’ve also come to a realization—my heart is too important not to take better care of it. I am currently at a weight that I am not happy with. And as much as I would love to blink my eyes and have it disappear, I know I have to be proactive; I can’t sit and wish for my body to be as it once was.

By Kelly Deeny

During this season we tend to stop what we’re doing and give thanks for what we have, the people in our lives and the blessings we’ve been bestowed. For that reason, Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. More than just the delicious feast or watching the many parades, I love this particular holiday because we get to take time out of our busy lives and just enjoy one another’s company.

By Kelly Deeny

I have an aversion to exercise. I know, I know. I’m a heart patient. I should be taking great care of my precious ticker. But I really despise exercise just for the sake of exercise. Going to a gym, running on a treadmill or doing weights just isn’t motivating to me. For others it is but this is about me so…I hate exercising!

I was a tiny child. My parents had to beg, plead and prod me to eat. Eventually I caught on and cheese became my favorite food. Ah, dairy—I love thee! Growing up I was never overly concerned with fatty foods or how much mayo I put on my sandwich. I didn’t start putting on some weight until my high school years. Part of my slim figure could be due to my metabolism, but I truly believe it was because I was an active child. Afternoons were spent riding my bike, walking to my friend’s house or playing hide-and-seek. As children we loved being outside. That was fun for us! I often wonder if the same holds true for this generation of children.

By Kelly Deeny

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about whether I focus too much on the past. On what I could’ve done differently. What experiences taught me certain lessons? It’s not just the negative memories I focus on, though. I think back fondly when recalling good friends, happy moments and exciting adventures. Truthfully, I think looking to the past can be valuable—in certain situations.

By Kelly Deeny

My beloved grandmother (aka Mom Mom) died of a heart attack when I was seven years old. I adored her. Loved her with all my heart. She was an incredible woman. One full of strength, love and unwavering support. But for all her tremendous attributes there’s only one that creates disappoint within me; she was a smoker.

It was the mid-80s, so smoking was still accepted most places, but when she died I lashed onto something to blame. And smoking became my nemesis. Even during a health presentation in elementary school I railed against it. Even if smoking didn’t cause her heart attack, it most certainly didn’t help the situation. And so, I vowed never to take up such a deadly habit.

By Kelly Deeny

If you had told me that one day I’d write a young adult fantasy novel I would’ve said, “Wonderful! But I’d much rather be on Broadway.” Clearly, I’ve had a long-standing love affair with musical theatre—one which plagued me with hopes, dreams and doubts of my musical ability. So even though my writings were praised by loved ones and strangers alike, I didn’t value their importance in my life. I was going to sing on stage, not write! I didn’t fathom how the two would intersect so many years later.

In a previous post I mentioned my connection to the creative arts and how they helped me heal after my open heart surgery. Music may have been the initial form of spiritual healing but somewhere along the way writing became an even more powerful and instrumental tool.

By Kelly Deeny

Issues of body image have plagued me most of my life. Have I put on weight? Why can’t I be just a few inches taller? Why do I look like a cherub when I put my hair in a ponytail? And on and on…one could assume that having a large scar down your chest would affect my opinion of my body. And that it did. But, for the better.

By Kelly Deeny

Music has been an instrumental—pun intended—part of my life since I had open heart surgery back in January of 1979. Not quite two years of age, I lay in a hospital crib waiting for my body to heal. Through what I can only guess were feelings of fear, loneliness and confusion at my situation, I do know one thing—my love affair with music began during that time.

I'm very thankful to have two parents who appreciate the creative arts. For whatever reason, they decided to play records for me when I was recuperating from my surgery. From what I've been told some of their choices included Disney albums and the soundtrack from “Grease.” Which explains a lot! Believe me, I consider myself a full-blooded Disney-fied girl and I know pretty much every word, spoken or song, of “Grease.”