Hi Connie-
Glad to hear you have a date. Despite all the emotions that come with that it is also a relief knowing you will finally get fixed. Too bad we all can't cash in our 401k's or a small portion of to recover in some paradise, but as they say 'home, where our feet may leave, but not our hearts'. I am sure your hubby will do a great job caring for you. It's amazing how much strength things like this give us and our loved ones.
Karen Campo

Hi Connie, I am the other Linda in SC lol.and welcome to HVJ. That was quite a story. Some of your thoughts have made me wonder just how long have I had this malady in my life. When I had my hysterictomy 12 years ago, the hospital had me wearing a heart monitor over night, so now I am really wondering. It was kinda fun though, I kept the nurses running as I kept dying. I would move a certain way and it kept unplugging itself.

At least you are one of the lucky ones and have a date while I am just hanging around here being a cheerleader for everyone. My valve is measured at 1.1 so I am just sitting on the fence waiting for someone to push me over, wish they would so I could get this over with and feel better. Just maybe the next test on the 5th will be the one.

Anyway you will be fine going up this mountain. I will keep watch over you and keep us all posted. Good luck to you.
For the long haul
LInda H

Connie...I can SOOOO relate! I have my phone service with Time Warner and when I get a call I can see on my TV screen the name and number of who is calling. I remember well the first time I saw Cleveland Clinic come up on the screen! I just about hyperventilated and when the call was over (I got my surgery date) it took FOREVER for the feelings of OMG!, excitement (finally getting fixed), the do what???? feeling, etc. to subside. There was also a little bit of "can I change my mind?" mixed in. At least you don't have to wait too long. I had to wait almost 3 months after I was scheduled. Trust me, this will be the hardest part. CCF is awesome, your surgeon is awesome, the staff is awesome...and at least for me, the surgery was nothing like I had feared it would be. Even the dreaded breathing tube was way less than I had imagined. Good luck with your husband with the IRA deal...sounds good to me, lol, but home will be just fine! God Bless!
Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Hi Connie,

I remember the day CCF called to schedule my surgery.....I got off the phone just shaking. And then the waiting began! Be glad you only have a month....I waited for four months and it was too long.
I would suggest you try to keep as busy as possible just keep your mind off the surgery as much as possible. I found that my alone time was hard, and I did much better when I was busy doing something fun or with friends. I was also getting really tired by the end though, so it was hard to be busy all the time.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Ask God for His peace to keep you calm and strong.
God Bless,
Deb Z

Welcome HVJ!
You Will make it, it the waiting game that's the hardest. Best of luck! CCF is very nice place,and it runs like a very well oiled machine.

Sam & Chris

LOL indeed! You are gonna do great, you've got great doctors on your side who caught this, a great cardiac center you are going to, great technology, great practices, and maybe a hvj lurker or two pulling for you as well! All the best on your journey up the mountain - and on down the other side! Peace, DVB

So....another "stalker" out of hiding! Hi Connie, welcome to HVJ! (officially), lol. I read your story, isn't it amazing about the OBGYN not hearing your murmur? You sound like me, my GP said he could hear mine across the room, lol. I see that you are going to Cleveland Clinic. Would I happen to have been on the receiving end of your smile when I boarded the plane back to SC? If so....thank you, I bet I was smiling more. Well, except for my experience with the TSA witch in Cleveland airport! Did you request a particular surgeon at CC? They are all excellent (in my humble opinion). I had Dougie Houser (aka Dr. Gillinov) and I love him! CCF is amazing, you will be well taken care of. My stenosis was also critical (0.6 cm2) but I don't think I had any symptoms. So, this is quite a journey, as you have already begun to see, but as we all say, the part you are on now is the hardest. Honestly. Take care and keep us updated!
God Bless!
Linda Dixon, AVR 3/13/12

Hi Connie,

Welcome to the crappy hearts club! It's not a fun one to join, but it sure beats the alternative. The good news is that you will get incredible support from total strangers who know EXACTLY what you are feeling. The bads news is, you have to have open heart surgery. I'm sorry you have to go through it, but I can guarantee you will be a better person because of it.

I can totally relate to your shock and awe of learning you have a bad heart valve. I found out about my three bad valves quite by accident also (at age 57). I had gone to my GP a year earlier asking why I was having palpitations, and she told me all women have those in their fifties, and she never bothered to listen to my heart. A year later, I started to have GI problems, and the GI doctor picked up the murmur and said " Wow....you need to see a cardiologist". Next thing I know, I am having open heart surgery.

It is overwhelming and scary to think about, but as you will read over and over, the waiting is the worst part. It truly is! I know that doesn't help much as you try to come to terms with getting your heart cut open, but the more you read these journals, the more educated, calmer and confident you will become.

You have chosen the best heart hospital in the country for your surgery, so you are doing great so far. Keep us all posted on your progress.......we are here to help with anything you need.
Godspeed and good luck!

Deb Ziegler