Hello all,
Today marks 37 years since my mitral valve repair at Westchester Medical Center. I was 24 at the time with a 10 month old son. I had been in and out of atrial fibrillation for months and congestive heart failure was the final result.
Fast forward to today- 2 adult healthy children and a full life. It’s been a long road filled with 30 + cardioversions, 2 twelve hour ablations to help remove scar tissue in the hopes of sinus rhythm, and a final AV node ablation and insertion of a pacemaker 4 years ago. This pacemaker has changed my life for the better.
I’ve always pushed through situations because I didn’t want to appear sick. My husband was my biggest supporter when I wanted to give up. He always reminded me to look forward and not get hung up on the “what if’s”. My doctors have been top shelf and I am blessed with great friends.
My message as a 61 year old is to never give up. Ask questions. Read. Life is precious and you all deserve to feel love and be happy.
Wishing you all good health!
Mary Winkler
Rhinebeck, NY
Sent from my iPad