About Me (In My Own Words)
My story started when I had a physical for a new job and the doctor said he heard a mild heart murmur. I was 34 years old at the time. This was a surprise as I had always been healthy, had given birth to 6 children and never had a problem, neither was a heart murmur ever heard before. All the doctor said was well you have one now and it could cause your a problem when you get older. Several years went by I moved to Mississippi and my new primary doctor wanted to find the cause of the murmur and ordered an echo and a stress test. The results were I had mild aortic valve stenosis, I was 60 at that time. So began my yearly visits with the cardiologist and an echocardiogram, each time the report would come back as mild to moderate. Then the symptoms started first the swelling in my feet and ankles which I blamed it on to much salt, later on the shortness of breath began this had to be because of my age, weight gain, etc...I started having this strange tightness in my chest on assertion like climbing stairs. But this can't be my heart no way...On 7/5/15 the phone call came that would change my life forever, I will never forget the words he said, "your heart has worsened from mild to severe you need surgery." I wanted the surgery done in St Louis (my hometown), so on July 22 I met with my surgeon Dr Theodoro who is the head surgeon for the SSM heart institute, in fact you can google aortic stenosis Dr David Theodoro and see videos both mitral and aortic valves he gives. My surgeon ordered TEE and heart cath which was done July 28, a few days later had carotid artery ultrasound, pulmonary function test, chest x ray, ekg and lab test. He said to me I don't like surprises when I cut you open I want to know exactly what I am going in for. I saw him again on August 12th and was told I had no blockages so a bypass would not be needed however, the bad news was my heart had already gone from severe to critical sense my last echo in Mississippi just a month and half ago. He said my valve was completely closed and leaking, The heart was very enlarged but was holding up with the extra load but not for very long. I will never forget what he said "this is a death sentence for you if you don't have this surgery and you need it soon. He would do Mini-Sternotomy which would be about 4 inches but when I woke up I had a full sternotomy plus he had to brake 2 ribs and I had 3 chest tubes I asked him later, "why did you cut me like that?" Well, he said you are a very small frame person and it was the only way I could get to your heart. Two days later I developed plural infusion and was given massive doses of Lasix. I was in ICU 4 days then to a step down unit for 3 days, my recovery was a long roller coaster ride. It was hard, and there was good days and the bad days, at times I felt I would never get well again. But my surgeon told me it was because my heart had gotten so bad by the time I had surgery. I stayed with my son and his family for 3 months before returning home and slept in his recliner for 6 weeks that was hard at first but I couldn't sleep in the bed even with pillows. Now, I have a new heart and praise God for seeing me through and for the great surgeon that I know He gave me. I relied on Phil 4 where it says do not worry but make your needs and request to God and he would give me peace and He really did. When I was wheeled into the OR I had such peace I knew that whatever the outcome He was with me and was in full control..... So all in all I give God all the Glory and thanks to Him for giving me a new heart. I am now 74 years old and this is my story :) I found this web site about 2 weeks before my surgery and was so helpful to me. I read over and over the heart post of you all and many times cried and prayed for many of you. Then I would watch and wait for the outcome of your surgeries and now I feel so bonded to my heart brothers and sisters that finally decided to need to join this site. God Bless you all....
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Smithville, MS
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My surgery date is:
August 18, 2015
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. David Theodoro
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My hospital is:
DePaul Health Center St Louis MO
