I recently had a round of tests--blood work, pelvic ultrasound (female probs), and the last test I had was a standard echocardiogram which was done because ...Read more
I recently had a round of tests--blood work, pelvic ultrasound (female probs), and the last test I had was a standard echocardiogram which was done because my doctor had been hearing a heart murmur and it was getting more pronounced. Plus, I've been VERY tired lately and I become short of breath easily and my ankles have been swelling. So, I went in for the ECHO last Thursday and I didn't think a lot about it until my phone rang Monday morning. It was my family doctor, who is also a very dear friend of mine. She told me I had a bicuspid aortic valve and that I might need surgery to fix it. It was as if I only heard the words "heart valve" and "surgery." Everything else sounded like something similar to the teacher on the Charlie Brown cartoons. I was stunned and shocked. I can't believe I am facing heart surgery! I've never even had my appendix removed! I am also feeling really alone, even though I am surrounded by a wonderful church family who love me and support me in every way they know how. I am having a hard time talking about it. I have only told a couple of people from my church. I want to ask my church family to pray for me, but I am at a loss for words. I don't know how to bring it up. Anyhow, I am to go see a cardiologist on Feb. 17th, which seems like a torturous amount of time to have to wait on something like this. He will be scheduling me for a transesophageal echocardiogram and I guess from there we will look at surgery options. I hope I can find some people here who have been through the surgery and can tell me what to expect. One thing that helps me with the fear is being better informed. That's why I've been reading about it online.