Tetralogy of Fallot and other stress

I was born with Tetralogy of Fallot. I’m 48 now. I work in Law Enforcement and have been in many scary situations. I’ve had open heart surgery, one ablation, 8 cardioversions. A few car accidents and a motorbike accident. Then there also was that near-drowning incident and a few cycle falls, blood stitches and all. Sorry, Mom that I make you stress so much.

After my Mom read my blog she decided to write about her experience with me as a “blue baby” who had Tetralogy of Fallot. She had to go through a lot to raise me. Here is her letter:

My Mother’s perspective

Janco was born in a nursing home in Sasolburg South Africa in January 1971. My pregnancy was normal and my GP was satisfied with my progress. It was a normal birth.

But when Janco was born his whole body was blue. I was concerned but my GP said that some babies are blue at birth. At home, Janco was a calm baby. My second concern was that Janco only drank a little milk, then stopped as if it was a big effort to drink the milk, he was then tired and fell asleep. My third concern was that his nails and lips were blue.