About Me (In My Own Words)
In March 2013 I went to my internist due to fatigue. She told me I had a heart murmur, ran a battery of tests and referred me to a cardiologist. He referred me to the Cath lab to check the aortic valve. He also found 70% blockage in the LAD and inserted a stent. He told me I had up to 5 years before my heart valve needed to be replaced. However, in July while seeing my cardiologist who did more test, he determined My valve was in a severe state moving to critical. My cardiologist referred me to the Houston Medical Center where a heart transplant team performed the surgery and replaced the valve with a tissue valve.
I was in the hospital 5 days. My recovery was going well. I was walking inside every day and really did not have much pain (I don't like pills so didn't take the pain pills) but took Tylenol if I needed it.
I was doing very well until 4 weeks post op when suddenly I could not breathe and perspiring heavily one morning when my daughter came to help me out of bed. My daughters rushed me to the emergency room where I was diagnosed with clots in both lungs and both legs. I was in the hospital 2 weeks on blood thinners then they put me on Warfarin therapy. Consequently, I have to have blood drawn weekly to check my INR.
I have started cardiac rehab but finding it a bit difficult with the pain in my left shoulder and clavicle. I understand this is normal.
Life is good. I am so grateful and blessed to have two daughters who saved my life.
Every day is a present.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Spring, Tx
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My surgery date is:
August 26, 2014
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Igor Gregoric
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My hospital is:
Memorial Hermann, Houston, TX
