It was supposed to be a joyous time of life for Sparkle Bell-Kokichi but it quickly turned near-deadly.
Just two weeks after giving birth to her daughter Tiana in January the Marshalltown resident found herself back in the hospital fighting for her life.
She had heart problems which doctors could not pinpoint at first and two doctors attributed her chest pains to anxiety. The pains eventually led to a massive heart attack on Jan. 12.
"I remember going to sleep and that's all I remember," she said,
Her husband, Michael Kokichi, is a lifeguard at the Community Y and gave her CPR at home before paramedics arrived.
"You don't expect to do that to someone so close to you," he said.
Sparkle fought for her life for weeks and doctors told her family she would probably not make it out of the hospital alive. She was able to get off life support and eventually was diagnosed with spontaneous aortic dissection.
This rare condition has affected just 37 people in the United States, including the late actor John Ritter. The future of her health is up in the air because the disease is so rare that there has been very limited research and no proven treatments.
Doctors have told Sparkle her future health does not look bright and another heart attack might be on the way.
"I'm trying to live my life day to day," she said. "I'm not trying to think about it because it depresses you."
The part that stresses her out the most is the possibility of an attack happening when she is caring for Tiana, who is now a smiling and happy 10-month-old.
"What if it happens when I'm caring for her or driving her?" she said.
Sparkle has hope as a doctor in Omaha, Neb. is dealing with patient with the same condition and has vowed to do his own research.
She said that research may not be able to save her but hopes if the disease is genetic it can possibly save one of her children someday. The prospect of a heart transplant appears not feasible.
"Transplants are nearly impossible to be qualified for," said Cheryl Kokichi, Sparkle's mother-in-law.
Keeping them in good spirits has been the support of fellow church members at Seventh Day Adventist. Michael said his co-workers at the Community Y also have been very supportive through the process.
Cheryl Kokichi is dealing with two close family members who have heart conditions as her daughter Rachel Kokichi-Williamson has Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia. Much like in Sparkle's case, Rachel's condition is rare and research is limited.
That's why Cheryl is speaking out for both of these two women to try to get the research wheels in motion.
"If I have to be the squeaky wheel and start making some noise then I will," she said.
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Contact Andrew Potter at 641-753-6611 or apotter@timesrepublican.com
