Dorothy's Profile

I was born with Subaortic Stenosis and have been monitored all my life. The doctors told my mother that it may never cause me a real problem or it might wait until I was older and that is exactly what happened. I am now 69 years old. On 1/30/16 I woke up and noticed that I was experiencing "burning in my chest and back." I thought it was acid reflux and took some antacid. That did not relieve the discomfort. I finally told my husband that we should call the ambulance to take me to the hospital. When the firemen arrived and hooked me up to the monitor, my heart rate was 190. They took me to the hospital and that is when I discovered I have Atrial Fibrillation. After my discharge, I was called and told to go see Dr. Richard Lee. When I went to see him he told me that there is a membrane in my valve that is obstructing, my heart muscle on the left is thickened and they need to open me up and correct the problem or I could end up with Congestive Heart Failure. I am a nurse, therefore, I know that is a "death sentence." He scheduled me for a TEE, Cardiac MRI and Cardiac Catheterization. I am blessed that I do not have any blockages. Things have moved rather quickly. I wanted to postpone the surgery until later on in the year, simply because of fear but I finally decided on May. Someone asked me what I am afraid of and I told them "the unknown." When someone talks about doing something to your brain or heart it is a little daunting. I am ready to face this challenge now but need all the support I can get.