Diaries of a Heart Warrior
I'm Amy Erhart, the host of Diaries of a Heart Warrior; born with a Congenital Heart Defect (Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome-HLHS). I'm creating this podcast to bring you stories told by individuals living with a Congenital Heart Defect. Episodes will also include the parent(s) point of view on how it felt to receive the diagnosis of their child; what they wish they knew and what life looks like now. Let's take a journey and explore the lives of Heart Warriors as the stories are told from their perspective.
Episodes
38 episodes
Annie Ulchak's Story- HLHS
Annie's CHD journey starts in Lima, Peru. Being born with CHD and not having all the necessary resources it was essential she make it to the states to have life saving surgery. After being adopted by a wonderful family, she was able...
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Episode 36
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1:20:39
Laura Valentine's Story- CHD/Heart Liver Transplant
Laura's story starts like most of ours. Born with CHD and living most of her life in the CHD world. As an adult, her health deteriorated and she was faced with transplant. Her journey is truly unique. She has so many ser...
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Episode 35
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1:02:58
Jason Crutchley' Story- CHD/Transplant
Jason's life is full of passion and drive. Growing up with CHD and finding out it was his time to have a transplant, came a a complete surprise, but he evaluated his life and came to terms that this was the best option for him. Join...
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Episode 34
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1:24:55
Neal Darby's Story- HRHS
Neal's story hit me different. We frequently concentrate on the present moment, often overlooking how our youthful experiences and choices can significantly influence our future well-being. He hit on a hard truth: the health-related...
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Episode 33
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42:27
Daniel Thomas's Story- HLHS
Today's episode I talk with Daniel. This is so different than most episodes in the fact that he focus' on his adventures in life. His HLHS hasn't slowed him down and while he admits he is living an ideal life, he knows things are co...
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Episode 32
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35:19
Kelly DiMaggio's Story- HLHS, DGTA mitral atresia, and an ASD and VSD
Kelly joins me to today and speak about her CHD journey. What I love about talking with Kelly is that she has such an appreciation for life and moves through her story with love and understanding. She recounts how she and her husba...
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Episode 31
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1:06:29
JoJo Jacob's Story- HLHS
Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Jojo. She take us through her journey of wanting cosmetic surgery, but instead got way more than she bargained for. After moving to a new state her plan to live normally were turned upside ...
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Episode 30
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1:07:41
Aaron Knutson's Story- Double Inlet Ventricle
Today Aaron shares his story of living the life. He decided to take his passion of playing music and make it his career in his younger years. However, that doesn't mean CHD didn't creep up on him and have other plans. Aaron ta...
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Episode 29
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1:21:01
Chastity Rushing's Story- Heart Transplant
Today, Chastity tells us about her heart transplant journey. Never meeting Chastity and not knowing her story I'm so honored she shared it with us! She takes us through the initial moments of feeling that deep down something wasn't ...
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Episode 28
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1:14:50
Elise George's Story- Tricuspid Atresia
I sit down with Elise today as she shares her heart journey starting with her mom finding out in utero. In her 20's her family makes the decision to move to New Mexico and due to altitude it doesn't go as planned and has to move back to h...
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Episode 27
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59:56
Remy Mink's Story- HRHS
Today Remy walks us through her heart journey, recounting her early years and the stuggles after her fontan surgery. As she struggled with issues from her fontan, her provider turns her to social media platforms to engage with the commun...
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Episode 27
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47:06
Thank you! Here's to 2025!
I want to thank everyone who volunteered to be on the podcast in 2024, those who are spending time with me in 2025 and those who are taking the time to listen!!A huge thank you to you all!Much Love Amy!
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Episode 26
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5:10
Andrew's Story- HLHS
Today, Andrew tells his story of being born with HLHS. His parents did not know about his heart defect prior to being born and his diagnosis came days after being home. Given his experience in middle school Andrew had to find a bala...
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Episode 25
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58:33
Let's Talk about St. Louis! Single Ventricle Day!
Today I am talking with 3 fellow CHDers who went to St. Louis in October 2024. The conference is hosted by Fontan Outcome Network and NPC-QIC; CHD physicians, patients and their families come to learn about heart and liver health and how ...
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Episode 24
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1:00:46
Anna Jaworski- Heart mom, advocate, author, podcaster and so much more
This is such an amazing story! Anna's journey started when she became a heart mom. She through devoting her time to learning about her child's heart condition of hypolastic left heart syndrome, her purpose became so much more! ...
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Episode 23
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1:51:12
Meagan's Story- HLHS / Adoption Journey
Meagan shares the process her and her husband went through to gain a precious gift. When it comes to children, we so often we don't realize how hard it is for CHD patients. Going through testing to make sure our hearts are strong en...
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Episode 22
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1:02:48
Boston's Story- HRHS
Imagine moving to another part of the state for our child. That is what Tiffany did, with the help of her husband, family and friends. Tiffany, so beautifully tells the story of her son Boston, having a missed diagnosis on an ultra...
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Episode 21
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1:03:55
Hannah's Story- Tricuspid Atrisia- ASD/VSD
Today Hannah shares her CHD story. Not only does she have a heart defect, but she has had to deal with other health issues along the way, that seemingly pose a greater risk to her currently. Aside from this, Hannah has found her pur...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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1:14:24
Ashley's Story- HRHS
Hello! Today I get to speak with Ashley as she share's her journey with HRHS. She has had to deal with more than just a heart defect in her life. In adulthood she developed an unexpected clotting disorder and shares the ...
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1:21:56
Michelle- CHD Focus Trainer
Michelle started out at Nationwide Children's in exercise physiology working in the stress test lab. After taking in all the information from mentors, she decided she wanted to focus on the whole person and one with CHD. She is maki...
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Episode 17
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42:24
Dr. Terry Davis- Pediatric Heart Surgeon
Dr. Davis started his career in 1960. In this podcast you will hear how and why he chose to become a pediatric surgeon and what he has done throughout his incredible career. When asked how many surgeries he has completed he stated a...
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Episode 16
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56:42
Amy's Story- ASD
Amy is a Nurse Coach and Reiki Master Teacher. Her initial desire to be a nurse came from her own heart defect and wanting to give back. After having been a bedside nurse for 15+ years, she decided to hang up that hat and move to a ...
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Episode 15
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51:51
Lerner's Story: Complete A/V Canal Defect
Today I interview Lerner's mom and dad (Keith and Ann Rea). I have know them for most of my life to to get to interview them was a pleasure. Their story doesn't start with the initial diagnosis of Lerner's heart defect, but it does ...
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36:59