Charlotte Fetal Medicine Specialist Dr. Joy Monitors Hickory Mom Kellie Sowell
While pregnancy can be a blissful time, it can also be a dangerous time
for women with underlying heart issues. Expectant mother Kellie Sowell,
is a 24-year old Hickory resident who suffered a heart attack two years
ago. The heart disease alone has completely changed her life.
“I can’t eat certain foods. I have to watch some of the stuff
that I do. I’m short of breath. I have to make sure that every chest
pain or heartburn is not a heart attack,” says Kellie.
While this is her third pregnancy, it’s the first since her heart
attack. And that’s impacted how she interacts with her daughter
Kyra. “When she wants me to run after her like I used to, I can’t
do that anymore. So that really, really changed everything that I usually
do,” says Kellie.
Kellie’s new condition also requires visits with a specialist. She
lives in Hickory, but her maternal fetal medicine specialist,
Dr. Saju Joy with Carolinas Healthcare System’s Maternal-Fetal Medicine department is in Charlotte. Thanks to CVMC’s partnership with Carolinas
Healthcare System, Kellie doesn’t have to make the hour drive down
to the Queen City.
It’s very convenient to come in here and just be able to sit and
talk to Dr. Joy. And it’s very much like Skype,” said Kellie.
Both Dr. Joy, and Mrs. Sowell agree – it’s also a money saver.
“It’s very convenient because without it we would have to find
the gas to get to Charlotte and then we would have to drive in that traffic.
I don’t like the traffic in Charlotte (laughs),” says Kellie.
“The telemedicine program not only saves time and money, it keeps
the patient in an environment that they’re familiar with,”
adds Dr. Joy.
As for Kellie and her pregnancy, she’s getting a lot of positive
support from her husband Joshua who is helping her balance cravings with
healthy food choices. And yes, this family is hoping for the best possible
outcome of a healthy baby and a healthy mom throughout the pregnancy and
birthing process, and beyond!
Watch Kellie’s story on FoxNews Charlotte – (insert link to
video by Barbara Lash)
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