Kellie's Posts

One year ago today at this time, I was headed for surgery. In some ways it seems like yesterday and in others it seems like a lifetime ago. I am so thankful for the technologies available to us that enable us to have these procedures. The results of that last echo I had in March came back showing my heart to be enlarged. I decided to call the cardiologist and ask him about this.... That was when I found out that my heart was enlarged BEFORE surgery as well, only no one told me then. However, the results of the measurements taken in March were unchanged from what they were before surgery - so that was good news. After putting surgery and recovery behind me, I though this was going to be a better year. But, as it turns out, my personal life has taken a turn for the worse in the last six months and I wondered why God bothered to let me live through the surgery at all only to have me go through more hell. I still don't know why I am here, but today I can say I'm truly glad I am. Maybe 2012 will be a better year for me. To those of you facing surgery, remember: The odds are in your favor and you will come out of this stronger and healthier than before... I have so much more energy now that naps are almost unheard of! Best wishes to you all! Kellie

I reported to the primary doctor concerning the bruised feeling I was having in my chest. She sent me for a EKG and an echo at the local hospital. They did not mention the results from the EKG when they called this morning, but they did tell me the valve is in proper working order and my heart is enlarged. Now I'm playing phone tag with the cardiologist. He never mentioned the heart being enlarged and I had an echo in his office at the 3 month mark. I've been really stressed out lately and my bp is up again (even with the meds), but I'm not sure this would cause my heart to enlarge. Has anyone had this happen to them after surgery? I just reached 8 months post-surgery a few days ago. Thanks.

Does anyone recall having or is currently still having a bruised feeling in their chest? I've had some mild pain upon bending foreward since the surgery, but for the past week or so my chest has been feeling bruised on the inside, mostly on the left side... it does not hurt to touch on the outside. I'm just wondering if this is normal or if I need to see one of the doctors and maybe get a chest x-ray. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!