About Me (In My Own Words)
When I was 8 years old, I came down with Pneumonia and was admitted into the hospital. My fever was extremely high and I recall my mom saying that it kept creeping right back up, even after being released from the hospital. When I went for a follow up visit with my Pediatrician, she and her nurse noticed that I had a heart murmur. She was very worried that with my fevers, that I could have or could be developing Endocarditis; from there we were sent to Iowa City for further tests and to see a specialist. We were told there that it was not Endocarditis but I did have Mitral Valve Prolapse and my valve made ALL the classic sounds associated with MVP, not some, but ALL. I was never on any medications other than preventatives for dental work or any invasive procedures, but after having both of my boys, I developed Mitral Regurgitation, but it was only mild. After having my daughter at the age of 27, my Regurgitation changed to "mild to moderate." Then, in December 2013, my oldest son, who was 15 at the time, was diagnosed with Leukemia; my world came crashing down. Needless to say, I've been under a lot of stress. So, when I went to see my Cardiologist for my 6 month appointment and they noticed the extra fluid and swelling in my feet and ankles and heard of my fatigue, shortness of breath, and not even being able to lie flat anymore without my heart feeling as though it's beating out of my chest or into my throat; feeling as though I couldn't catch my breath...I just wasn't getting enough air. My echocardiogram was done on a Friday and I received a call from their office at 8:30 on the following Monday morning, he wanted to see me. Walking into my appointment, thinking that I was going to be told that it would be another year or two (hopefully...until my son's finished his chemotherapy) but he looked at us and said, "It's time, We're not waiting anymore!" My mother, sitting in the office with me, choked back her tears as I sat there astonished...was this really real? My oldest sister has also had the open heart surgery to repair her Mitral Valve, and I'm pretty sure I'm the same age now that she was when she had to have hers repaired. So, by my sister's advice, I've decided to start this Heart Valve Journal, where I can keep in touch with all my friends and family, and where I can get all the support that I need. My faith is strong and I know that God is good and I have to hand this over to him; I'm being referred to a great surgeon and will be having my surgery in July.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
Peoria, Illinois
-
I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
-
My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
-
My surgeon is:
Dr. Daniel Ciaburri
-
My hospital is:
OSF Hospital
