About Me (In My Own Words)
Greetings and Blessings Fellow Heart Valve Warriors! My journey with mitral valve disease (myxomatous degeneration) began for me in 2005. I was 32, a wife and a mother of 3 young sons, an ICU nurse who cared for post-op cardiothoracic patients ( including heart valve repair patients), and I was an avid runner 6-12 miles a day and the most fit I had ever been in my life at the time of my diagnosis. A routine annual exam found I had a loud heart murmur, and shortly after with confirming echocardiogram and other tests I was diagnosed with mitral valve disease. I have been monitored annually by my cardiologist and on routine echocardiogram this March my diseased valve transitioned to severe regurgitation requiring surgical intervention. My surgery date is scheduled for October 15th. I am blessed to not have any other complications with my heart. I had a recent cardiac angiogram, and my heart is strong and healthy other than my diseased valve.
In hindsight, I have been adapting to my symptoms for many, many years. I just kept telling myself , “I’m tired because I’m a busy mom, wife and nurse. “ I just kept pushing myself to do more. I didn’t have time to be tired or sick. My family needed me. My patients needed me. So I pushed and pushed myself. But the reality is I WAS having symptoms. Fast forward to today.... I am definitely more fatigued, running has become a challenge , and I have some heart palpitations, some shortness of breath and a constant pulsing tinnitus in my left ear. Honestly, I feel blessed that my symptoms are not worse because I know for so many of you the symptoms are worse.
My hope is to share my journey, educate and advocate ( because that’s the nurse in me) , and give hope and light to others having to experience a similar journey. I know patients have inspired me, and I believe sharing our experiences is the best support we can offer one another.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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My surgery date is:
October 15, 2018
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
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My hospital is:
Vanderbilt University Medical Center