About Me (In My Own Words)
This was all a surprise to me!! Extremely healthy. Well at the age of 25 I was diagonosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma had mantle radiation from end of ears to bottom of sternum. I went in to have dr check my hip thought it was bone on bone and he said my slight heart murmur that I had all my life was really loud. So went in for all the tests and I was super reluctant dr called me three times to schedule sonogram. So in August 14 I had a Avr with a bovine valve. Dr said he has never seen such a hard piece of rubber before like my valve. He said it was from the radiation I had 24 years ago!! My ventricle didn't want to come back and had a pace maker put in. Felt ok after surgery was any to get back to work. I am a personal trainer so I slowly started working out doing what I could. In September I always get my mammogram and I cancelled it due to the open heart. They called I explained they said ok. Wel, in October I needed a chest X-ray and the technician also did mammos so I asked her if she could be gentle and she was. The very next day they called and said something was suspicious and if I would come in for an ultrasound. So I did the next day. My feeling was oh crap!! So they did the ultra sound and as waited they asked if they could do needle biopsy. I said sure when? They replied now!! I knew it wasn't good. Surgeon called and said I was positive for breast cancer and so the appointments began. I was smacked down twice!! Ugh!! Well the radiation I had 24 years ago caused the breast cancer and I had to have a bi lateral mastectomy in December of 2014!! i am back to work as of February very light and I'm excited for that. The pacemaker wires and implants and new valve are getting along at times. The Drs have said because of the amount of radiation and the damage it has done my cells aren't the same and I will face a much longer recovery. I do what I can and I am adding more hours to my schedule with clients!! I will get through this and my goals are still attainable!! My goal before I am 50 was a handstand push-up and 5 pull ups. Well it may be before I'm 60 but I will do it!! Funny I kept trying to do a handstand before Avr and it always hurt my chest.... Duh blood was flowing wrong way!! Glad to have found support through groups like this! Learning everyday!! Grateful to be here! Oh the hip thing I went in for.....it was just a sign to go see dr!! ❤️💞💪🏼
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Rohnert park, Ca
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My surgery date is:
August 4, 2014
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I was diagnosed with:
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Pacemaker Implant
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Paul Lapunzina
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My hospital is:
Kaiser San Francisco
