First published 1995
Maria discovers her heart beats irregularly during a routine medical exam. The diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse forces her to reconsider everything she thought she knew about her body and her future. Her doctor explains the condition affects how blood flows through her heart, but the medical terminology feels foreign and frightening. As Maria navigates specialist appointments and lifestyle changes, she encounters other women dealing with the same diagnosis. Each woman's story reveals different ways the condition shapes their choices about work, relationships, and family planning. Maria must decide whether to let fear control her decisions or find strength in understanding her body's new reality. The journey becomes less about fixing a medical problem and more about accepting uncertainty while still living fully.
Genres: medical, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, self-discovery
122 pages · Paperback · Morris Pub
Content warnings: medical-trauma