Photo submitted to Times Observer Christi (Spackman) Carson, with her husband, Dan, of Ashville, N.Y. Christi has been hospitalized with peripartum cardiomyopathy. The twins that were due on June 24 were delivered and remain hospitalized, but are doing well.

A Warren Area High School graduate went from being on track to give birth to twins in June to an emergency C-section and a heart condition that has her in intensive care.

Christi (Spackman) Carson, 38, of Ashville, N.Y., a registered nurse at UPMC Chautauqua and a 2002 graduate of WAHS where she was a varsity cheerleader and on the track team, is in UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.

“She was blessed with twins that were due June 24,” her stepfather, Mark Woody, of Warren, said.

Everything was fine on Thursday, April 28.

“Friday, she got sick… short of breath,” Woody said.

Photo submitted to Times Observer Christi (Spackman) Carson (left) with her sister, Linde. Linde died in 2020 of a heart attack. Christi is currently hospitalized in Pittsburgh with peripartum cardiomyopathy — a pregnancy-related heart condition.

Carson was no stranger to working under tough conditions. “She worked through the entire COVID in the emergency room,” Woody said.

But, this was different.

“She went to the emergency room,” Woody said.

Her condition, combined with the pregnancy, was deemed serious enough to send her to a hospital specializing in women’s health.

“She was flown to Magee Womens in Pittsburgh,” Woody said.

The diagnosis was peripartum cardiomyopathy — a rare and often serious condition.

“Her heart was stretched and it was pumping 10 to 15 percent of what it should,” Woody said. “She was in critical condition before they were delivered. They had to stabilize her to deliver them.”

He said she is under the care of “the pre-eminent” physician for the care of that condition.

The twins — about nine weeks premature — are doing well at Magee.

“The babies were delivered and are fine,” he said.

Their mother remains hospitalized. “She continues in critical condition, and is looking at a long road to recovery because of the damage to the heart,” Woody said. “It’s overstretched and it’s weak.”

There is a history of heart conditions in Carson’s family.

Her sister, Linde Spackman, died in 2020 at the age of 39 of a heart attack, Woody said.

According to Woody, Carson has been approved to be placed on a transplant list. As soon as she is able to sign the consent form, she will be on the list at an elevated status.

Christi’s husband, Dan, who also works at UPMC Chautauqua, is splitting time between the two hospitals.

A Gofundme is set up and can be found by searching for Christi and Dan Carson. Nearly $9,500 has been raised as of Friday.

There is also an account set up for the family at Northwest Bank where contributions may be made directly.

“They’re both not able to work right now,” Woody said. “Anybody that can do anything to help would be great. It’s going to be a long road for her.”