Carmen's Heart Valve Journal

My Story

I have been diagnosed with a heart murmur at 18 years old and at that time the cardiologists told me that I had a small leak in the mitral valve and that I would need to have an echocardiogram every year. The cardiologist also told me that I would not have any problems until I reached my forties and would have to have surgery. I continued to have my echograms throughout the years. In 2005, I was told that the time is now. I was in denial since I had no symptoms. I am now 49 years old. I just recently went out of network and got a second opinion and my diagnosis was confirmed and my condition is severe. I have already scheduled my surgery for early spring. I am a candidate for the robotic assist (minimally invasive) surgery. Reading the Book has really calmed my fears and gave me a clearer insight on what to expect.

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I have been diagnosed with a heart murmur at 18 years old and at that time the cardiologists told me that I had a small leak in the mitral valve and that I would need to have an echocardiogram every year. The cardiologist also told me that I would not have any problems until I reached my forties and would have to have surgery. I continued to have my echograms throughout the years. In 2005, I was told that the time is now. I was in denial since I had no symptoms. I am now 49 years old. I just recently went out of network and got a second opinion and my diagnosis was confirmed and my condition is severe. I have already scheduled my surgery for early spring. I am a candidate for the robotic assist (minimally invasive) surgery. Reading the Book has really calmed my fears and gave me a clearer insight on what to expect.