Betsey's Profile

In April, 2016 I called my primary doctor to make an appointment for what I thought was terrible GERD. Spoke to the nurse, who advised me to take myself to the ER post haste. At the ER, they ran an EKG and discovered an abnormal heartbeat. Referred to the Cardiologist, who told me in no uncertain terms that I have aortic stenosis at the level characterized as severe, and that I would need heart surgery very soon. I was completely gobstopped! The news was very much out of the blue for me. Next stop was the cardiac surgeon, where the wonderful Dr. Glenn Barnhardt explained the surgery to me and the valve options. I am scheduled to receive a new aortic valve on the 15th of June, 2016. I feel quite fortunate to have the time to process all that has happened and all that will be happening to me in a couple weeks time. It has been quite a ride so far, and I know that I am at the beginning of this journey. I have been using body-mind techniques to help me stay relaxed and positive in preparation for this surgery.