Pamela's Journal

My surgery was on December 7th. I can say I am a mitral valve surgery survivor! CMC-Pineveville has an awesome team. I was able to leave a day earlier, instead of staying for a full week -- GOD IS GOOD! They say you'll feel as if you were hit by a mack truck and that is so true. So many changes ... nothing tastes or smells the same right now, and that may be for the better...LOL. Now, I have to take it one day at a time. I am so grateful for all of the prayers and well wishes from you all, thanks! I will keep you updated through this journey - the good and the bad.

It can be overwhelming when you enter the hospital. It can be overwhelming when you have to let someone you love go. But as soon as we entered that hospital at 5:00 am my mom was brave. My grandma was brave, and i pretended to be brave. She left us to get prepped for the surgery and we registered. answered questions and waited to see her off before the time came. In her presence i was both fearful and grateful because her healing was coming. She was smiled, indecisive bout her head scarf but she held that smile strong and she was brave. Grandma kissed her twice. Grandma was brave. And i pretended to be . We sat in the waiting room watching time soon my dad and sister arrived, we received hourly updates, to ease the worry. Had a meeting with the doctor, and then we saw her in ICU. Nurses said that she was doing great, She was brave. Daughter of Pamela

Hey guys, it’s me, Pam… I am scheduled to have surgery tomorrow on Monday, December 7th at 6:45am at the CMC - Pineville (Carolina Healthcare System) North Carolina. A few years ago, I began to have symptoms that included being lightheaded and numbness in my arm. I thought I was having a stroke resulting from stress, but it wasn’t. I went to my internist, who took an EKG and saw that I had a heart murmur. After additional testing and monitoring, I learned of the seriousness of my congenital heart condition and the need for surgery to repair the heart valve. Random thoughts… I am feeling good because I know that the healing process begins tomorrow. I can’t wear a bra for "I’ont" know how long!?!?… HmmmMmmm #let’sgetit in the words of my oldest daughter Kayla. It’s 8:38pm I am about to make homemade chocolate frosting for the cake my baby girl Kimora baked (Grandma Willie Bell’s recipe)…Yum Yum! I am so grateful for the love and support.