Patient Story of Retha Botha

My Story

About Me (In My Own Words)

Good day, I was with a Cardiologist and Specialist Physition. Several going back, and back, admitions in ICU, but no improvement. only getting worse. Diagnosed with Pulmonary hypertention, Mitral valve leaking , but it did not worry my doctors, another diagnosis of INOCA. Coronary artery disease.
Untill I went to Dr Martin Bruwer. He scheduled me for a TEE (Trans esophageal Echocardiogram) He told me my Mitralvalve need to be replaced, and I Experienced 5 different heart rythms in one day. I was scheduled for open heart surgery 10 January 2024. 10 hard days in mostly in ICU. My recovery first 3 months was hard but I start walking. I continue to have pain and pressure in my chest. As a Registered Nurse, I was saddend that no company wants to employ me because I am a health risk. One year after surgery. I still had the pressure in my chest, shortness off breath started again. I went to seek a second opinion. I saw Dr Michelle Guerra, Cardiologist. after stress test and cardio echogram. He told me that the mechanical mitral valve is causing the Pulmonary hypertention to become worse, he was strate and honest with me. The firts Doctor. He send me to Dr Peet Viviers- Pulmonologist after lungfunction tests. He also told me that the PH is due to my heart. I'm now scheduled for total heart catheteration 27 May to evaluate my heart, valves and pressure in left and right side of the heart. To categorise the Pulmonary hypertention for treatment. and my heart. Honesty of my now two specialist is wonderfull.
I have to travel a 1 1/2 hours. At my home town I don't have facilities for Pulmonary and Cardiac rehabilitation. I am now want to search the internet, for me to be able to do it at home. Luckely my walking partner is my General Practioners mother. She keeps me goiing. The air in Rustenburg in the winter is especially poluted, I can't go out at night time.
Looking foreward to getting answers.