Susan's Guestbook

Hey Susan! I am in my late 50s and have had 2 open heart surgeries. The 1st was in Feb 2013 at which time my aortic valve was replaced. I had no symptoms until one night 2 mos prior when I couldn't catch my breath. I did remarkably well following that surgery. In Feb 2014 I began to have spells of feeling extremely fatigued and was found to need a pacemaker which was implanted w/in a few days of the onset of my symptoms. It was then I began to suffer several bouts of dizziness/vertigo which still bother me from time to time. Unfortunately, in November of 2014 I began to have some shortness of breath followed by excrutiating pain in the center of my chest which would move into my upper back and down both arms. My first major bout w/this in Dec 2014 was followed by an overnight observation in the hospital. My cardiologist insisted it was not heart related but possibly a gall bladder issue. I spent the next couple months being tested for various stomach issues all the while experiencing pain so severe it would knock me to my knees and leave me calling out to God for help. After seeing a gastroenterologist, who listened closely to my complaints and simply said it was my heart not stomach and after seeing my Family Nurse Practitioner, my cardiologist agreed to revisit the possibility it may indeed be my heart. When my husband insisted something must be done, this "doctor" said he would run the stress test to prove it was stomach related and not heart related. Imagine his surprise when the stress test showed a mild heart attack in Dec and the cardiac cath showed a double blockage of 90+%!!!!!!! This SOBs delay in testing caused me unbelieveable pain and was very close to costing me my life In March 2015 I was able to have my CABG done by my original surgeon 2hours away at a university hospital. I made it thru but the healing was a much lengthier process. During the months following, I began having stomach issues and was diagnosed with Celiacs Note that I have never suffered w/any digestive problems prior to that. In July 2015 my pacemaker was replaced w/an ICD. I had been diagnosed w CHF earlier in the year. My ejection rate was around 33% at that time. I don't feel I have ever totally recovered from my second open heart surgery. I don't have any stamina, am fearful to do too much on my own, and nearly go into a panic when I have what may seem like simple aches and pain to others. As above, I have bouts of vertigo. I have not been able to return to work because I had a very stressful job. What I wanted you to know is things seem to get better. I am thankful for every second I spend with my grandsons. I also want you to know my ejection rate has improved and is now around 55%. I would be happy to answer any questions. Hang in there Susan H