Sara Dorband, born with a serious heart defect called transposition of the great arteries, discovered a document in her kitchen drawer from the University of California, San Francisco outlining a study that revealed her life expectancy extended only into her thirties due to her condition. Despite being haunted by this revelation for years, she continued living a normal life.
Throughout her teens and 20s, Dorband’s health anxiety was a constant struggle, leading to extreme thoughts and coping mechanisms. However, she managed to graduate high school, earn a college degree, and establish a career in marketing. She kept her prognosis a secret, only disclosing to her husband her inability to safely carry a pregnancy due to her heart condition.
Despite the challenges, Sara and her husband decided to have a surrogate carry their child. Their son, Max, was born without any heart conditions related to Sara’s, although he was diagnosed with a common heart murmur. Approaching her 40th birthday, Sara feared her time was running out, only to experience a stroke a few months later due to a complication from her childhood heart surgery.
Following the stroke, Sara underwent a successful procedure to address the complication without any lasting physical effects. This experience motivated her to seek therapy and embrace a new outlook on life. She published a children’s book, rekindled her love for jogging and dancing, and co-founded a company specializing in medical bras for patient comfort and privacy.
Sara’s husband praised her resilience in managing her health while living life to the fullest, emphasizing her growth and strength as a person. Now 47 and residing in Los Angeles, Sara finds joy in seeing her healthy and active teenage son thrive, reflecting on her journey with gratitude and a newfound sense of fearlessness.
