About Me (In My Own Words)
10 Years ago at the age of 21 in 2001 I was very sick and was misdiagnosed with the flu. As the symptoms got worse I was taken to UConn Health Center in Farmington, CT where I was diagnosed with Endocarditis a bacterial infection in my mitral valve. After a week in the hospital of trying to kill the bacteria with antibiotics, I was told I would need open heart surgery, my valve needed to be replaced with either a bovine valve which would mean I would need another surgery 10-15 years down the line or a mechanical valve,which would be permanent and no other surgery would be necessary, however,I would be on blood thinners the rest of my life and would rule out the option of ever having children. At the young age of 21, I certainly did not want to rule out having a family of my own so I opted for the bovine valve and hoped that 10-15 years down the line that new research would find another option other than having another surgery. Well its 10 years later, I had my appointment with my cardiologist 2 weeks ago and was told that I need to have my valve replaced again. I am now 31 years old and married with no children yet, but have hopes of starting a family soon and am about to embark on the second scariest journey of my life. My doctor has told me that if I were to become pregnant now that it would be very dangerous. I will need a mechanical valve for both my mitral and aortic valve since they are both leaking. My cardiologist has assured me that pregnancy is possible for me with careful monitoring of the blood thinner regime and when I do become pregnant I will have to go off coumadin and take something else. These last 2 weeks have been a whirlwind for me and my family, I feel like my life is on hold, I just want to have the surgery and get it over with so I can get on with my life. The waiting is the hardest part. 10 years ago when I was told I needed open heart surgery I only had 1 night to worry, since it was done the very next day. Now I have about a month, and I'm sure if your reading this you know what the worrying can do and the terrible, scary thoughts that go through your mind.
I would really love to connect with another woman who has dealt with all that I am about to embark on, open heart surgery, blood thinners and planning for pregnancy. Please feel free to contact me at TaraTGambardella@yahoo.com.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Stratford, Connecticut
