On January 5, 2013...
Steve,
My story is similar to yours in that I had no idea there was anything wrong with my heart until a GI doctor heard a murmur at a routine visit. Turned out I had three bad valves, and it was quite a shocker! My advice to you is to make sure you do as much research as possible and to have your surgery done at a major heart center. Read as many journals on this site as possible and be sure to read Dave Van Buren's journal from the start. He has done a lot of research and has shared it all.
The waiting for surgery is truly the worst part. I promise the surgery won't be nearly as bad as you are imagining!
Godspeed and good luck!
Deb Ziegler
My story is similar to yours in that I had no idea there was anything wrong with my heart until a GI doctor heard a murmur at a routine visit. Turned out I had three bad valves, and it was quite a shocker! My advice to you is to make sure you do as much research as possible and to have your surgery done at a major heart center. Read as many journals on this site as possible and be sure to read Dave Van Buren's journal from the start. He has done a lot of research and has shared it all.
The waiting for surgery is truly the worst part. I promise the surgery won't be nearly as bad as you are imagining!
Godspeed and good luck!
Deb Ziegler
My story is also similar. I had no idea I had a murmur or any heart problem until I was diagnosed with severe MVR. That was in Dec of 2011, I had repair surgery on 6/4/12.
Unlike you, my kids are grown. I think that makes a difference on how much you worry. I found a really good surgeon at Yale University Hospital who did a great job and I now feel wonderful. I'm keeping up with exercise...not so great on the eating right, but I'm trying.
Read my story, let me know if you have any questions.
Nancy B
Steve