About Me (In My Own Words)
Hi my name is Debbie Langford. I turned 63 on December 29th. I am a widow, my husband passed away 11 years ago this March. I have a daughter that will be 32 on Valentines Day, 2 stepdaughters, and 2 grandchildren ages 12 and 14.They are my life! I have had my own housecleaning business for 25 years but I am now semiretired.
I was diagnosed with Mitral valve prolapse 24 years ago when I was having pre-op tests for eye surgery. It was evaluated as mild then and I have had it monitored over the years. It remained the same till about 2 years ago when they said it was moderate. I had just finished 18 months of antibiotics for a MAC infection in my lungs and I suspect that wasn’t a good thing for my valve. I wasn’t given any further instructions at that time for my valve.
In October I started feeling symptoms that I was unfamiliar with such as shortness of breath, palpitations, and a sense of chest tightness. On November 22nd I saw my primary physician Dr Weaver because I was concerned. After doing an EKG and listening to my heart he sent me directly over to Cardiovascular Interventions on Mills Avenue. After another EKG, a chest X-ray, a full blood panel and a consultation I was scheduled for a stress test and an echo on November 27th. After those results came in they scheduled me for a TEE to get a closer look at the valve. That procedure showed that my mitral valve was severely leaking. They then scheduled me for a Heart cath on Dec 21st. The good news is that my coronary arteries are clear and all the other valves are doing fine. My left atrium is enlarged though from the serious regurgitation of the mitral valve.
So this is my story. I am told I will need a valve repair or replacement. I meet with my surgeon on Monday Jan 22nd for a consultation and hopefully a surgery date. My surgeon is Dr Kevin Accola. I requested him once finding out that he is one of the surgeons my cardiologist Dr Jamnadas recommeded. I have watched video interviews with Dr Accola and read many testimonials from his patients. I feel very confident in him although I haven’t met him yet.
So I just hope I get a surgery date because the waiting is nerve racking. I’m anxious and scared but just want to get this over with. Prayers are welcomed and any advice for me. Debbie🙏🙏❤️❤️
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Winter Park, Florida
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My surgery date is:
February 15, 2018
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
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