Ann's Profile

After years of having a heart murmur so loud that medical personnel would visibly jump when they heard it, I was advised it was time to do open heart surgery. I had started warning them when they got out the stethoscopes! Really, really wish I had found this wonderful site before my surgery, but am glad to know about it now. I stumbled upon Adam's book one day post-surgery, bought it and read it all at once. I can't tell you how much it meant to me. At the time. I was at home, recuperating, really hurting and having no idea if that was normal. My issue was a leaking mitral valve and severe regurgitation. (The tricuspid valve was also involved, but as a secondary issue.) It was serious and I was having symptoms, though I'm not sure I was paying enough attention. I thought maybe that's normal--tiring out easily, having shortness of breath. Mostly though, I had palpitations--very strong, thudding heartbeats that often kept me awake because I felt them more at night. I have an overactive thyroid which is under control, and apparently uncomfortable heartbeats can be caused by the thyroid problem. So last summer, my endocrinologist told me it was a good idea to see my cardiologist, which I did. After some tests, I was told I needed surgery to repair the mechanical problem with my heart, that there's a "window of opportunity" to have successful surgery, that I was in it and it's time to do it. That day was October 31, 2014. I was in a shock because I have tried to stay in shape, eat well, be healthy, etc. Apparently, you can't fix this issue that way. So the next phase of my life began.