Christensen

Missouri Valley, Iowa

My name is Jennifer. I am an adult who has MDS. I never knew I had it until age 19. I had gotten pregnant and my Mother was concerned for me and that's why she finally told me. I'm not like others. I appear normal, I have a decent IQ but I have some physicalities of MDS.

Since my heart is small, the whole left side of my body is smaller. When I get sick, 'I get sick'. I suffered from depression for years. I am often wondering about health. I am overweight, but I'm losing as well. I often wonder what the life expectancy is for someone who has MDS. I've always questioned if there was anyone else like me who appears normal but has MDS qualities. I feel different from everybody else. I feel limited to some things I just can't seem to do. I have to watch what I do because of my small heart. My mom is always so scared for me. It scares her that I'm overweight and that my small heart can't take it. I try not to overexert myself too much because of my small heart.  I'm glad I finally found this site.