Peggy Peterson - Heart Valve Journal

10 days ago

Rose Madura, Pamela Gregory, Grace Mason reacted to this

Putting this ALL behind me now (honest!), but thought it might be beneficial to others if I “shared” one last time.
It’s been a rough few years, ...Read more

Putting this ALL behind me now (honest!), but thought it might be beneficial to others if I “shared” one last time.
It’s been a rough few years, but here I am! 2026 - let’s all make it our best year yet, no matter what our chronological age.
I wrote this initially as a reply on a mitral valve replacement group, but I feel that a comment might help more people, so . . .
Metoprolol made me feel horrible. Verapamil CAUSED my left ventricular heart failure I truly believe (read the small print always). All statins give me horrible leg cramps. Wegovy - not for me thank you.
Please research your meds. I went to three separate cardiac “groups” that put me on so many meds that I did not “need” and I believe made things worse. I was in worsening heart failure as they continued to push more meds. with the “let’s wait & see” approach. What, wait and see how quickly I will die?!
Knowledge is power & self advocacy is KEY.
Get 2nd, 3rd, 4th opinions if it feels right to you. Don’t let them blow you off.
You know your body. You are talking quality of life as well as life itself. Too many seem to push all the pills the pharmaceutical companies can push & profit from their sales.
I had my mitral valve replaced ten months ago. Took a good 6 months or more for my body to adjust to my new heart, but now I feel better than I have in decades.
The valve was severely damaged at age 12 from rheumatic fever. Knew way back when I might need a new valve in my “old age”. I will be 70 in April (yikes!), but now I feel so much younger.
I still have symptoms related to coronary artery disease in arteries they cannot stent. Had 3 stents placed in 2024 including in the “widow maker” artery.
I had cardioversions and an ablation to treat a-fib before the right team realized my a-fib was valve related & replaced the valve.
The teams that did the cardio versions & ablation MISSED the severe coronary artery disease for 3 years. I was so close to having a fatal heart attack.
When they replaced the valve they also clipped my left atrial appendage & did the MAZE procedure to prevent further a-fib.
I have been given a fully refurbished heart & I am so thankful. Beyond words.
I hope this helps others. ❤️❤️❤️

Peggy Petersonposted an update

45 days ago

Grace Mason reacted to this

I AM . . . A photographer, a writer, a poet, an artist, a child, a sister, a Mom, a Grandma, a “Neena”, an aunt, an auntie . .
An empath, a comforter, ...Read more

I AM . . . A photographer, a writer, a poet, an artist, a child, a sister, a Mom, a Grandma, a “Neena”, an aunt, an auntie . .
An empath, a comforter, a nurturer, a musician (french horn and guitar!), a builder, a singer, a lover of nature, a gardener, a lover of animals, birds, dogs, cats, horses, all creatures great and small; a chef, a textile artist, a crocheter, a lover of babies, children, people, those with “special needs”; a voracious reader, a lover of ALL THE ARTS . . .
A dreamer, a loner, a brainiac (surprise!), a lover of learning and teaching, a HIPPIE (say what?!), the family historian . . .
A lover of ALL things beautiful, And all things ARE beautiful, are they not?!
Final heart tweak upcoming on 12/17/25. And THEN . . . So much hope and joy for the future.
2026 will be my best year yet . . . and I’ve had near 70 awesome years. 10 more would be such a gift. 20? Beyond measure.
I had open heart surgery and was gifted a new little piggy mitral valve along with other tweaks on 02/28/2025. On the heart lung bypass machine for hours . . .
In my mind . . . I dream I visited all my loves who went before me . . .
In my mind we shared a meal, coffee & talk. They all gave me advice & sent me back to earth to carry on.
God is not done with me yet.
I feel like I am channeling all those who have been such positive influences in my life. Who knows . . . a medium perhaps?
Dad, Mom, Aunt Jean, Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Merilyn, Phyllis, James Benbow, Bubba, Gram White, Gram Peterson, Aunt Vic, Dee . . . the list goes on and on.
Anyway . . . verbose is my middle name. “Oh my goodness does she EVER QUIT TALKING?!
Yes, well, now that my cognitive skills have been restored due to ample blood flow to my brain (HeartValveSurgery.com), I will go to my alone places and write and create and share.
Peggy Ann Young is back. So much love & care to all my people, my tribes (plural!).
My old friends, my new. It does take a village. Thank God.
Oh! A Girl Scout!!
“Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, and the other gold.”
I am rich beyond measure. Carry on. ❤️❤️❤️