Patient Story of Flo Em

My Story

About Me (In My Own Words)

During a routine check-up with my Primary Care Physician in December 2007, my doctor asked me if I was ever told that I have a heart murmur. NO...never. Well, I do...so, she immediately referred me to a Cardiologist. The ECHO test confirmed that I have Mitral Valve Regurgitation (MVR). Although, I was assured (sort of) that the progression can be very slow…probably 7 to 10 years before I can decide to have it fixed. For the meantime, my cardiologist was monitoring me very closely.

Two years later after the diagnosis, I felt like my health was going spiral down. I was sick a lot...mostly coughing, feeling fatigue, having a hard time breathing, exhaustion, and light-headedness with light activities...such as tying my shoes or walking my little dog. The sensation of feeling my heart beat was very bothersome. I was always feeling shortness of breath (which I thought it was due to my asthma). Then, I was hospitalized for passing out at random times which made it very dangerous for me to drive my car. At the end of 2010, I couldn't even walk at 50 ft distance without getting so tired. My friends were taking turns to take me to my doctor's appointments. It was pretty bad. I was left with no choice but to have an open heart surgery to repair my mitral valve in January 2011.

I remember waking up after the surgery and I knew that something was different. I can feel a normal heartbeat. OMg! I had MVR for so long (even before the diagnosis) that I thought that my heartbeat was the "normal" heartbeat! LOL!

Well, I definitely had my second chance at life which I'm super grateful! Through prayers and support from family and friends, I recovered really well. I can't believe it has been almost 5 years since I had to go through that ordeal! Now, I'm feeling much better like it never happened to me.