Flatlined and Fine

In this episode, we talk about the ups, downs, fears, frustrations, and downright weirdness of navigating life with a lifelong subcutaneous ICD. Kayla has been shocked three times, so she knows firsthand what it’s like to trust a device that could literally save your life—while also being terrified it might go off.

From anxiety and appointments to sleeping, and trying to feel “normal,” we’re getting real about life with a little electronic device whose job is basically: “Don’t die. I got you.”

Because apparently surviving cardiac arrest wasn’t enough—we needed a lifelong electronic chaperone. 😂

In this episode, Kayla and Kendra share the frustrations of navigating health insurance—from surprise pregnancy bills to denied genetic testing and everything in between. Because apparently surviving cardiac arrest wasn’t enough… now we have to survive the insurance company, too.

Vacation after cardiac arrest isn’t all sunshine and relaxation. In this episode, we talk about the reality of traveling after surviving sudden cardiac arrest—from packing a suitcase full of medications to making memories with your family while quietly battling exhaustion and a fast heart rate. Because sometimes, you do it all for the kids… right? ❤️

Going back to work after a sudden cardiac arrest or medical emergency isn’t as simple as getting cleared by your doctor. In this episode, we talk about the determination to get back to “normal,” the pressure to prove you can, and the reality of realizing life—and you—may have changed. We share what it’s like to keep showing up even when you feel like you’re drowning… all while pretending your biggest problem is answering emails. If you’ve ever struggled to return to work after a life-changing event, this one’s for you.

Death isn’t exactly a party topic… but here we are. 💀 This week we’re talking wills, estate planning, who gets the kids, and all the awkward “what happens if I die?” conversations. It’s dark, it’s funny, and it’s probably the most grown-up episode we’ve ever made.

This week, we’re complaining… we mean talking… about medications. We went from taking zero pills to sounding like a walking pharmacy, and let’s just say it’s been an adjustment. We also celebrate Kendra’s improved ejection fraction (cue the applause 👏), because we’ll always take a win when we can. Come laugh, vent, and survive with us!

This week we’re talking about one of life’s greatest horrors: appointments. The waiting, the rescheduling, the anxiety, and somehow always being the youngest person in the waiting room by about 20 years. We vent about the endless cycle of doctor visits that comes with surviving cardiac arrest, then—because we have the attention span of squirrels—we somehow end up discussing cremation. Specifically, the fun fact nobody asked for: your ICD usually doesn’t burn during cremation. So if you’ve ever wondered what outlives you…apparently it’s your heart device. Come for the appointment trauma, stay for the morbid funeral facts and the completely unnecessary rabbit holes.

In this lighthearted episode of Flatlined and Fine, we discuss the things we’d tell our pre-cardiac arrest selves. From appreciating the small moments and surviving the chaos of motherhood to calling loved ones more often and leaving the job you hate, we reflect on how a life-changing event reshaped our perspective on what truly matters.

This week on Flatlined and Fine, we’re talking all things Subcutaneous ICDs (S-ICDs)—what they do, what recovery is really like, what you can (and can’t) do with one, and how long these little lifesavers stick around.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live with a built-in emergency response team, this episode is for you. Tune in for real talk, a few good laughs, and life with an ICD from two people who are actually living it.

In this lighthearted episode of Flatlined and Fine, we dive into our bucket lists and share all the experiences we hope to have before we die. From dream travel destinations and hot air balloon rides to some surprisingly random animal encounters, this conversation is full of laughs, surprises, and a little inspiration. Join us as we dream big, swap stories, and remind ourselves that life is meant to be lived. This fun episode might even inspire you to start creating your own bucket list!