Liz's Journal

Cheryl Batzing  Liz, you sound almost exactly like me, although I had severe regurge (told on a scale of 1-10 I was a 9+), NO SYMPTOMS, and echoes every 6 months. They were "watching and waiting" as the echos were not showing an enlarged heart or other problems associated with a leaky valve. Well, in Oct. at routine appointment and another echo which showed NO CHANGES, my cardiologist heard my murmur louder. He said, "I think we need to go for a TEE and get some more testing." Long story short, the TEE showed I was very severe where the echos never showed. I was not "sick," but did have valve disease and it was deteriorating. The new thought is to get it fixed before you have heart issues. Chance of getting fixed well is great. SO, started interviewing surgeons and had OHS for mitral valve repair on Dec. 16. Recovering well...back at work, driving, exercising, almost everything! If you want to read my journal you might find some helpful info...not sure. Will pray for you as this is hard to get your mind around! Ask more questions--this is the place to do it!

Liz Dixon  Thanks. I will read your journal. I just feel so funny knowing there is something wrong with me and not feeling sick. My mom has a fit because I have not slowed down. I guess she has reason as we have lost several family members to heart failure. She also worked in ICU as a ward clerk for 25 years. I guess she has seen the worse.

Susan Nelson  I think a lot of times people just don't understand illness like this. I know I have had that happen when I am like "I have to have open heart surgery, do you get what that is?" I think you need to know in your own heart what you have and try and not let the other people drag you down.