The Gene Pool is Strong

Looking for a link!

Mike also had genetic testing done.

They were looking for a linking gene which causes genetic cardiomyopathy. The TTN gene provides instructions for making a very large protein called Titin, this protein plays an important role in muscles the body uses for movement and the heart muscle. This gene is one of the main causes of heart failure and heart transplant.

Mike was positive, this is our linking gene for the family. Now the boys needed to be tested, they both had a 50/50 shot...and both boys are positive as well.

Blake and Easton now get yearly testing done at the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Congenital Heart Center. Both have passed with flying colors in 2021 and 2022. They go back each year to have Echos and EKGs completed yearly. They currently do not have Cardiomyopathy, but do have the gene for it.

Time will tell on what happens with both their hearts, each heart has it's own story to tell...and right now, the story is good!

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Month 11...August

The dreaded month of August. When I was growing up this month became the forbidden month, the month to try and lay low. Several bones have been broken in the Foster family during the month of August and this trend has moved on to the Neubert family. For the last four years the month of August was marked with Covid, hospital visits, heart failure, and funny enough... trips to The Deck and beach in Muskegon. In 2022 Mike picked up Covid and it was taking a long time to go away. Turns out it was heart failure. We visited The Deck in Muskegon and walked the long pier out to the lighthouse. Mike couldn't even make it a quarter of the way out and had to sit down on the rocks to rest, we knew something was very wrong. Later that August and into September we found out Mike was in heart failure and he was admitted to the hospital; that began our four year journey to where we are today. In 2023 when we visited the pier Mike was listed at a level 6 on the heart transplant list. When we...

One Year!!!!!

September 7th, 2024 was the scariest and happiest day of our lives. It is hard to believe that one year has flown by since Mike received his new heart. Many scars, needle pricks, tests, machines, blood draws, medications, and doctor visits filled this past year. Those things are not the things that fill our memories though. Our memories are filled with love, laughter, friends, family, and adventures together. We are so blessed to have Mike and this amazing gift of life. To celebrate this weekend, I threw a suprise party for Mike. Mike had his suspicions, but I think we pulled off a good surprise to celebrate his one-year heart anniversary. Mike was super worried that whatever this get together would be, it would be during the big Lions/Packers game...no worries babe, I planned it for the day before! People often say it takes a village, and I truly believe that you all have been our village in one way or another. A core group people who have helped to support us through...

Months 9 & 10

Wow! Time flies when your having summer fun! Months 9 & 10 held many milestones for the Neubert family. The end of 5th and 3rd grade, Easton's 9th birthday, cousin and family birthdays, 4th of July, Blake's week at Scout Camp, and Mike's birthday. We were able to spend time with both Mike's family in Alpena and my family in Hessel. It was nice to get away for a bit and enjoy time with loved ones. With the warmer weather we are beginning to see some friends and reconnect. This past year really stopped us in our tracks. As we were celebrating a friends birthday this July we saw a couple that had come to Mike's 40th birthday the year before. We hadn't seen them in exactly one year. Sorry we tried to become friends and then ghosted you for an entire year lol! It has been good to reconnect and come back to old connections as well. One of the bigger milestones was a title promotion for Mike at work. He earned the title as Vice President Relationship Manager. I a...

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