About Me (In My Own Words)
I live in the Tampa area, Wesley Chapel. Born and raised in Warren Ohio, when it came time for my surgery, there was no question in my mind where I was going, the Cleveland Clinic. I had been doctoring with a Tampa area cardiologist for 15 years since moving here from Atlanta. I was told we were to wait until the numbers told us it was time for surgery. (Dimensions from echo) I believe I went into heart failure in Aug -Sept of 2020. My breathing was compromised. It felt as if I was having an asthma attack. I went to primary care to get A COVID test, it was negative. My inhaler did not help me to get oxygen. My breathing was getting worse. I went to my cardiologist, had a stress test and echo done. They said all was fine with my heart, no change since last echo or stress test. It got to a point that I could not walk more than 10 feet without stopping to breathe. Went to the ER. The doctor ran tests to look for a heart attack. (!!!) I was released. OCT; I went back to my primary care, she ordered a CT scan with contrast on my mid section. (I also had pain in my rib area.) That night, about 10:00 PM, my doctor called me at home. She informed me that I needed to call 911 or have my husband take me to the ER. My right lung was partially collapsed, and I had fluid built up around my lungs, pleural effusion. I was admitted to our local hospital, and when the doctors asked me about seeing my cardiologist, I told them what he told me, "It's not your heart, there's no change in your test results." They ended up checking my lungs, kidneys, spleen, liver, you name it. All normal. They then did their own echocardiogram. My leakage in my mitral valve had always been rated as moderate, the doctor doing my echo at the hospital said my leakage was "...severe, very severe. You need surgery."
DEC 11; We made the drive to Cleveland, Ohio. My surgery was on the 16. Everything went well. We left for home on Christmas day. We arrived home on the 27th of DEC. That night and the next morning my heart rate was between 154 bpm - 166 bpm. I was in A-flutter. We headed back to the hospital. In the ER, after trying a couple different drugs, they were preparing to do an ablation. I was in the room with my husband and the monitor alarmed, at the same time my head became very dizzy and fuzzy. I think my husband lost years, I had flat-lined for about 8 seconds. Then, my heart started back up with out the A-flutter.
I RE-BOOTED MYSELF! ❤️ I was admitted for observation for a few days. And we're not done there. You know how, at discharge from your OHS, you're told to sit in the back seat to ensure your safety in the event of an accident?
JAN 13; We're on our way to my cardiologist (new doctor) for a post op check. My husband is a jokester and every time we went somewhere, he'd say, "C'mon Miss Daisy, let's go!" I almost sat in the front seat to avoid the Miss Daisy bit that morning. I decided I had better heed their advice and sit in the back. We were literally across the street from the doctor's office, going through an intersection to the parking lot and a car made a left turn right in front of us. We hit him broadside. Every air bag in my husband's Silverado was deployed. Everyone of them except for the one that I ALMOST sat in that morning. The front passenger seat. So then it was back to the hospital, in an ambulance. My sternum was fine, nothing hurt, just some seat belt bruising, my husband was not so lucky, he has 2 bulging discs.
Hopefully, my cardiac drama is over. At 63, I feel younger and healthier than I have in years.
Thank you Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Marc Gillinov and his surgical team, Dr. Samir Ahmed and Vladimir Curkovic (my new cardiologists) Advent Health Hospital in Wesley Chapel and Pasco Fire and Rescue. I am thankful to be here. ❤️
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
My surgery date is: December 16, 2020
