About Me (In My Own Words)
Before June, 2008 at age 71 I was one of those people to whom doctors said “whatever it is, it is not your heart.” That changed after a severe urinary tract infection. I took two rounds of antibiotics, but over that summer continued to have fevers, dizziness, severe loss of energy, and fainting. After changing internists in October of that year, Dr. Gabel looked at the ECHO previously done and sent me straight to the cardiologist who diagnosed moderate to severe mitral valve damage which he thought was age related.
Since I had no other major illnesses, he wanted me to be a candidate for the first robotic valve repair to be done locally. I agreed and the surgery took place on January 9, 2009. I was in Cardio Critical Care for a week, but once home, recovery seemed to be taking place.
When I went back to the surgeon for a checkup on February 15, 2009 it was found that the stitches had not held. Local doctors argued for a repeat surgery in July, but I went to the Medical University in Charleston where Dr Fred Crawford, head of the Cardiology Department, retested and found that the regurgitation was moderate and felt that it could be managed by medication, exercise, and a positive attitude. I have followed his plan. The positive attitude gets to be a problem sometimes.
In the Fall of ’09, heart rate became irregular (not atrial fib) and several medications were tried without success. I finally began taking a newly available medication, Multaq, which seems to have reduced the irregularity to a manageable level, although it has significant digestive system side effects.
In June, 2010, I began participating in the Mind-Body Skills program at SRMC lead by Hunter Mahon and Dr. John Simmons. It was helpful in that it affirmed my belief in a holistic approach to disease.
At routine visits this summer, both the cardiologist and my internist say the situation is stable—“as good as it is going to get.”
I have always followed a heart healthy diet and been moderately physically active. I did cardio rehab regularly for two years. Since then, I have done Silver Sneakers at the Y until a recent ankle injury caused me to change to water aerobics which I did until September 17, when a syncope resulted in a bad fall which lead to a hospitalization.had another syncope 12/9. Both episodes caused significant facial injuries.
Marilyn Coltrane Dec 10, 2011
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
Spartanburg, South Carolina
