Sara's Profile

I am 64. I had no idea I had a heart issue until after my regular checkup in late 2014 when my doc orderd an echocardiogram. After the test was the first time I had ever heard my name and OHS in the same sentence. My heart was failing fast, and the doctors moved my surgery up a month to early March. On the operating table my heart stopped as they were inserting the first tube into me (neck). I wasn't down long. Until that moment the surgeon was plannng on minimally invasive between ribs, but I ended up having full OHS and becoming a member of the Zipper Club. Longer recovery, but small price to pay to still be alive. For a year after surgery I had low LV function (left ventricle) at 40%, but after exercise and time it is now normal. Whew! Since surgery I have been plagued by migraines with auras. i look forward to networking with those of you facing this as well. I am so grateful for the technology and my surgeon's skill that fixed my rapidly failing heart.