With Heart

There are a lot of resources out there for adults with congenital heart defects. Those resources are extremely informative, helpful, and serious. This is not any of those things.

[witheart]

Hey my fellow cardiac warriors,

I just wanted to drop in and say I’m sorry I’ve mostly abandoned this blog. It was such a beautiful experience sharing my art with you guys and creating a safe space for CHD survivors to feel less alone and share a laugh. The truth is I’ve really lost my motivation in the last couple years as I’ve watched my art get stolen and my safe space invaded by porn blogs. I’m not here to generalize and kink-shame, but this is a blog for survivors- people for whom cardiology is a matter of life and death. We are not here for you to fetishize our trauma. For the rest of you- the med students, the fellow CHD-ers, and the nerds who are just here for a good science pun, thank you for sticking around. If you’re still out there and would like to see more comics, drop me a line and maybe I’ll give it another go. If not, thanks for the memories. You guys got me through my last surgery and for that I’ll always be grateful.

Keep on tickin’ team.

~Mary

[witheart]

Hey there! Just another cardiac friend here :3 I love your blog, it makes me feel less lonely :) (I was born with transposition of the great vessels btw)

Oh my! I’m sorry I didn’t see your message, lil nonny! I’m glad you found us over here. It’s always lovely to meet another cardiac warrior. Hope you’re doing well! I know I’ve not updated in ages (I’m heckin’ busy trying to write a doctoral thesis) but I’m still around even when I’m not posting comics. Thanks for the shout!

[witheart]

Cardiology Valentines by withheart

Need a valentine that says: "Thanks for sticking with me despite all my terrible puns!" "I know how much you love literalizing worn out body metaphors!" or "I love the way you support CHD survivors and raise awareness!" ? Then come on down to my little Red Bubble shop where I've just added a new collection of obnoxiously nerdy cardiology valentines!

[witheart]

Only nuclear families are allowed.

[witheart]

Your blog is absolutely lovely I've never giggled so much at all of your post, keep doing what you do! From: A fellow heart warrior

Why thank you!! What a lovely note to receive. I’m so glad to hear I could help brighten your day. Cardiac conquerors 4lyfe!

[witheart]

Have a Hearty Holiday!

Don’t forget to pick up unique gifts for all the medically-minded pun connoisseurs on your list at my little shop! I wish you all the happiest and healthiest of holidays!

[witheart]

Early modern physicians had a great sense of humor.

[witheart]

I prefer to think of my heartbeat change not as “broken” to “fixed,” but as an upgrade from “waltz” to “iambic pentameter.”

[witheart]

This is how the beat drops.

[witheart]

It’s been three years, to the hour, since I came out of the OR for my last open-heart surgery. That’s three whole years sporting a heart with all the right pieces! 

This blog was a huge part of my process as I prepared to go under and I’m just overjoyed at what it’s grown into since then. It has been a wonderful experience seeing heart defect veterans of all kinds come together to share a laugh on here. I can’t tell you how much it means to me when I hear from followers saying they feel less alone or different having found our community here. If I can use my experiences to bring a smile to anyone struggling with symptoms or the prospect of surgery, all my own cardiac struggles will have been absolutely worth it.

Keep on ticking, <3 Mary

[witheart]

Hello my lovelies! Exciting updates at the withheart Red Bubble shop! Amongst a great many other wonderful things, I can now offer these adorable pencil skirts for your summer-wearing pleasure. Gotta admit, I’m pretty tempted to buy the electrocardiogram one myself.

So go check ‘em out!

[witheart]

For stupidity-triggered arrhythmia.

[witheart]

Fun Cardiology Facts!

The QRS complex of an electrocardiogram represents the depolarization of the right and left ventricles in which the myocardium around the apex becomes lonely at the sight of the blood party happening inside the ventricles and tries to join in by hugging them.

[witheart]

Sometimes I get the feeling my blood vessels are lumen over everything I do.

[witheart]

The gateway to the rest of the body!

[witheart]

Some truly heartfelt Valentines for you all.

[witheart]

Friendly reminder that a scar is not a blemish.

Your scars are your medals of honor; they are the reminders that you are the fighter who didn't give up. Your scars are the portals which bridge the gap between your metaphysical identity and your corporeal self. Your scars are as integral a part of your unique being as your eyes and nose.

Never underestimate their beauty and significance. They are beautiful and they are significant because they are a part of you.