Hi, I'm Debbie.
I had a congenital mitral valve prolapse, diagnosed in 2009. Routine monitoring until end of October 2024. I went into afib, and my cardiologist referred me to a surgeon. All the testing, and it was decided a minimally invasive valve repair was in order. Day of surgery, wheeling me in, I coded. CPR and OHS became vital. They ended up replacing my valve, and then found that my tricuspid valve was also leaking, so they repaired that. They performed the MAZE procedure and also clipped the atrial appendage.
Had a heart block, so 6 days later, I got a pacemaker and they sent me home. I stayed in Afib until a cardioversion in February 2025, and a loading dose of sotalol. I was great after that, started cardiac rehab and things were going great, until the atrial flutter came back. Med change, now on a loading dose of amidiorone and have another cardioversion scheduled in 10 days.
The recovery has been hard, mostly mentally. A lot of depression and anxiety. I am doing better with both, now that I feel well enough to go outside and walk or plant a tomato. I have no restrictions this point other than "if it feels bad, stop doing it". Some days are better than others, but every day, I am glad to be alive and incredibly grateful for my care team.
Oh, f58
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Debbie Henderson
Winnsboro TX
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