Liz's Posts

Hi everyone! I haven’t posted here in a long time. I had my minimally invasive mitral valve repair surgery back in October of 2015. Everything went well, I went to cardiac rehab, and then returned to my job. I went for a visit with my cardiologist every year, and my EKGs and echos were normal. I still had to keep taking my Metoprolol due to several types of irregular heartbeats. I sometimes got winded easily, but, overall, I was doing well. Fast forward to early December of this year when I went in for a stress test. I was expecting the doctor to say that everything was fine, but, instead, he told me that my stress test indicated that I might have a heart blockage. He has scheduled me for a cardiac cath and angiogram in January. I’m writing this because I know that you all understand. I’ll admit that I’m scared and my anxiety level has increased. I had a cardiac cath before my surgery, but that was 9 years ago. Now I’m in my 60’s and I’m afraid about what’s going to happen. I’m asking myself why is this happening to me. I’m sure you have all asked that question. I guess I thought that my surgery would solve all my heart problems. I guess not. I’m asking for prayers, advice, & words of encouragement. Thank you so much! ❤️

Two years ago today I had my mitral valve repair surgery. It's hard to believe that it's been that long! I'm so blessed to be here...healthy & whole. Thinking back to the day of my surgery & my week in the hospital...it was such a rough time but I made it through...I survived! I'm feeling great & living a normal life. I'm back on metoprolol but that's okay...it keeps my heart rhythm steady which is a good thing. It's scary to go through heart valve surgery but once you make it to the other side you can feel like yourself again...the fear & uncertainty fade into the past. Now I try to live in the present moment & enjoy the fullness of each day. There is life after heart valve surgery & I plan on enjoying every moment!

It's been exactly one year since I was released from the hospital after my successful mitral valve repair surgery. I've been sitting out on the deck enjoying this beautiful Fall day (it's 80 degrees here!). I was reading some of my journal entries & I realized that I haven't been on the site in a long time! I want to be a part of this community again so that I can support others who are getting ready to go through the journey that I've been on. I can't believe that it's been a year since my surgery!! I've been feeling good. Sometimes I get winded easily if I'm walking uphill or going up a flight of stairs but otherwise I'm fine. The only problem I still have is the irregular heartbeats. I thought that would go away after the surgery but it hasn't. I was disappointed when I went to donate blood in June & was rejected because of my irregular pulse (they changed the guidelines). I relayed my disappointment to my husband's cousin (he had heart surgery) & he said that "the very best hearts always have a unique rhythm different from all the other average ones. Your beautiful loving heart is one of the best." That really made me feel better! I went back to my cardiologist in August. He wanted me to wear a heart monitor so, on September 21, I went to the hospital to get a 14-day Zio Patch heart monitor (a thousand times better than the old Holter monitors!). I went back to see Dr. Ridley on Friday. He said that the monitor picked up all sorts of arrhythmias so he's sending me to an electrophysiologist. We'll see how that goes... Anyway, on this beautiful Fall day, and every day, I'm thanking God for my life & my second chance. I'm so grateful to be alive!!