About Me (In My Own Words)
I was diagnosed with a heart murmur over 20 years ago. I didn't know what that was so I lived my life as if I didn't know anything was wrong because I didn't know something was actually wrong. After a couple of years I started having echocardiograms once every four years, and then every two years and finally every year and then every six months. About 3 years ago my cardiologist said I would eventually have to have surgery but that wouldn't be for about ten years down the road and to live my life like I didn't know I even had it. Well I didn't feel anything different so I did just that. I lived as if noting was wrong. And then in 2020 I started having problems breathing when I'd walk, and it hurt really bad so back to the doctor I go and one doctor said that it was Gastrointestinal problems and the cardiologist said it could be Angina. Neither doctor could actually tell me which it was. I couldn't get checked for the gastrointestinal problem because of Covid.
Eventually I was checked to see if I had a blockage in my heart, that's when I had a couple of stents put in. After that I felt pretty good. I still had pain but nothing I couldn't put up with as it was mild and I just blamed it on gastrointestinal problems. A year after the stents I had my yearly echocardiogram. I was told at that time that I would have to have surgery within a year or so and needed to go on a six month echocardiogram evaluation.
My March 2021 echocardiogram was still showing mid-severe range but to check back in six months but to live normally in the mean time. So I did. Because of the high cost of housing and food I basically couldn't afford to keep my apartment so I decided to travel instead. I went cross country and visited relatives in Colorado, and Washington. I visited several National Parks. I was having fun and I felt good.
I flew back to Indiana for my six month appointment in September 2021. It was not a good diagnosis at all. I was shocked because I felt so good. I just knew I wasn't going to be told bad news. Boy was I wrong. I needed surgery as soon as I could. I was set up with a surgeon in Indiana but my daughter invited me to Texas to have surgery there instead. For me that was a relief because I had given up my apartment and I had no where to stay, and I would be taken care of there. I got set up with a cardiologist in Texas who also recommended getting surgery right away so he set me up with a surgeon who was experienced in minimal invasive surgery which meant I didn't have to go through having them cutting through my breast bone. The one thing I was worried about the most.
My surgery was on November 19, 2021. (Minimal invasive surgery). They're not kidding you when they say they're going to get you up and walking as soon as possible. Yikes that hurt. But eventually I was able to get up and get around on my own and released on the 4th day. I was off pain pills and muscle relaxers on the 7th day after release. Mostly because I don't like them. Got off Acetamenophen within 12 days, again because I don't like taking drugs. It took almost four weeks before I could wear a bra all day long. The incisions are looking great. Except the drain tube hole under the breast. It is healing but it has what looks like a crater in it. A hole. The doctors nurses keep telling me that is normal for women. I have an appointment with the surgeon via internet on Monday Jan 3, and an echo with the cardiologist apt after wards on Jan 6.
Here is the thing I would like information on if someone could give it to me. I have been getting dizzy every once in awhile since surgery. It feels like I might pass out when they happen. My BP is normal. It just comes on at any time. Some days I don't get it at all but others I get it a couple times a day. Is that normal after surgery? Am I in danger of having a stroke? I will ask the doctors when I see them, but it is kind of scary as I don't know if something is going wrong with the implant or is it the meds?
Thanks for listening to my story.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Franklin, IN
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My surgery date is:
November 19, 2021
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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 hospital is:
UT Southwestern
