sharlene's Heart Valve Journal

I have been suffering from arrythmias of my heart for the past few years and had an ablation done in 2004-with no real improvement. These had progressively become worse and then it was discovered that I was in atrial fib....I had been taking medication and since September 2008 had become extremely symptomatic-cough,fatigue,shortness of breath but worst of all was the heart beat that was so out of rythm.....it became so bad that my voice sounded as if I had a bad chest infection. Unfortunately I was mis-diagnosed-and was treated for Bronchial Asthma. I had echos in the past and none of them had ever shown a mitral regurg or anything wrong with the valves. In February 2009 I went back to see my cardiologist in South Africa and he diagnosed the mitral valve regurg-as moderate-severe with atrial fib. I had a TEE done and it confirmed the diagnosis. I continued with medication and returned home. During the months that followed the arrythmias,shortness of breath became real troublesome. I went back to SA in October 2009 and it was decided to rather do a Maze procedure and repair of the mitral valve. It all happened so quickly and my husband had to fly out and sort out the payments- we werent sure if the med insurance would cover it as I was having the surgery outside the country I live in........frustrations still continue re med. insurance but am trying to remain positive. Post operatively I had a a few setbacks.....my heart went back into atrial fib and had to have a cardio version done and then a week after discharge went into pulmonary oedema and both lungs collapsed....so back to hospital I went. The recovery was slow and all I wanted was to get back to my home and be with my husband and son for Christmas- my daughter who lives in SA accompanied me on the flight home and spent a few days with us before returning home-our son came home for his first visit as he started college in Pennsylvania in August 2009 and we hadnt seen him for a few months. After a 9 hour flight-5 weeks post surgery I landed and was in my own home.Bliss......I feel that I only started my recovery then....thanks to ADAMS book which I received a week ago,to my husband for is untiring efforts,my daughter, son and all my supportive friends. I continue to progress each day and thankfully have found a new cardiologist here who can speak English and seems to know a little more than the other drs I have dealt with.....so finally there is a silver lining in my cloud and I wont need to be hopping on an aeroplane to go and check things out in SA as often as I did in the past.