Christina L
Well-known member
Nicole,
I am so glad to hear that you are doing better emotionally and physically. It is a rollercoaster ride for sure, going through all of this.
My saga began last June of 2002 when I was admitted to the hospital for chest pain (ruled out for heart attack) and the doctors started focusing in on my severe mitral regurgitation which I was supposed to have been getting watched every year with a treadmill (congenital MVP), but I had let three years go by without getting my heart checked.
Since 06/2002 I have been having tests every four months. I had a MUGA scan recently and the cardiolgist said my ejection fraction has gone done and that surgery is indicated. Dr. Cosgrove in Cleveland said surgery is not crucial at this point, but it is indicated, so the surgery is planned for November 5. My cardiologist does think the surgery is crucial as I can see it in his face and he really gave me no choice this time - I have begged and staved off my surgery for a year - now I can't do that any longer. And I know realistically that this surgery needs to be done before any more damage is done to my heart.
Melissa is right about the testing - I will have to be run through a whole battery of tests a few days before my surgery in Cleveland. I am glad they are doing them - as they do want to see how things are right now, not several months or years ago, by doing the tests, and I want them to absolutely KNOW what they are doing during surgery.
Your cardiologist, Nicole, knows more than a surgeon about longterm effects of damage to the heart - that is why you should listen to him. I hope that you will get things straightened out and get your heart repaired soon, because you are right, it needs to be done and it will prevent further major damage to your heart.
I am pretty scared (presurgery) but right now I am keeping myself mega busy and just trying to live life as I always have - the week before the surgery, I hear from others, will be the hard week to get through.
P.S. Your mind plays a HUGE part in all of this - for example when I breezed into my cardiologist's office to get the results of my MUGA scan, I was feeling "good" "healthy" and sure he would say things are stable, we will wait for another four months and test you again. When I left there after being told my EF had gone down and my heart was starting to not work as efficiently, I was feeling "weak" and "tired" and sure I was going to die any time. That is how strong the mind works. You have to fight your negative thoughts and picture your heart as strong and amenable to repair of any sort and being even stronger after the surgery. I know this is the biggest battle I am facing - the mental one.
Nicole, I think you are amazingly strong and it sounds like you have such a great church family and God is there with you. You WILL be fine. Have your cardiologist help you push for things and they will get done.
Chris
I am so glad to hear that you are doing better emotionally and physically. It is a rollercoaster ride for sure, going through all of this.
My saga began last June of 2002 when I was admitted to the hospital for chest pain (ruled out for heart attack) and the doctors started focusing in on my severe mitral regurgitation which I was supposed to have been getting watched every year with a treadmill (congenital MVP), but I had let three years go by without getting my heart checked.
Since 06/2002 I have been having tests every four months. I had a MUGA scan recently and the cardiolgist said my ejection fraction has gone done and that surgery is indicated. Dr. Cosgrove in Cleveland said surgery is not crucial at this point, but it is indicated, so the surgery is planned for November 5. My cardiologist does think the surgery is crucial as I can see it in his face and he really gave me no choice this time - I have begged and staved off my surgery for a year - now I can't do that any longer. And I know realistically that this surgery needs to be done before any more damage is done to my heart.
Melissa is right about the testing - I will have to be run through a whole battery of tests a few days before my surgery in Cleveland. I am glad they are doing them - as they do want to see how things are right now, not several months or years ago, by doing the tests, and I want them to absolutely KNOW what they are doing during surgery.
Your cardiologist, Nicole, knows more than a surgeon about longterm effects of damage to the heart - that is why you should listen to him. I hope that you will get things straightened out and get your heart repaired soon, because you are right, it needs to be done and it will prevent further major damage to your heart.
I am pretty scared (presurgery) but right now I am keeping myself mega busy and just trying to live life as I always have - the week before the surgery, I hear from others, will be the hard week to get through.
P.S. Your mind plays a HUGE part in all of this - for example when I breezed into my cardiologist's office to get the results of my MUGA scan, I was feeling "good" "healthy" and sure he would say things are stable, we will wait for another four months and test you again. When I left there after being told my EF had gone down and my heart was starting to not work as efficiently, I was feeling "weak" and "tired" and sure I was going to die any time. That is how strong the mind works. You have to fight your negative thoughts and picture your heart as strong and amenable to repair of any sort and being even stronger after the surgery. I know this is the biggest battle I am facing - the mental one.
Nicole, I think you are amazingly strong and it sounds like you have such a great church family and God is there with you. You WILL be fine. Have your cardiologist help you push for things and they will get done.
Chris
