Bunny

My name is Bunny; I am 47 years old and live in wonderful central Oregon. I use to have my own business of 20 years cleaning homes. But finally had to give it up due to my heart problems. I am living with the most wonderful compassionate man on earth, and a Doberman who is a loving playful kid. We have 20 acres of beautiful ponderosa pines for a yard, with plenty of wildlife. I have always known I had a “harmless” heart murmur, something I was born with. But in my mid 30’s I started to have some problems with my blood pressure. I was getting light headed, and my heart would start fluttering, and pounding. I monitored it each time I went to the store at one of those free BP checks. It was consistently high, so I decided to get myself checked. My family doctor listened to my heart and sent me to a Cardiologist, from there, I did a stress test, which he promptly said I failed! Put me on Ziac which has a beta-blocker, and of course never ending supply of nitro. He told me I was born with my Aortic valve having two leaflets instead of three, and they were closing on me, I had about ten years before I would need surgery. Life went on, each year I would have a cardio echo, and each year it was closing even more. Finally, this last year was an effort in existing for me. I couldn't vacuum my own home, let alone have the energy to cook. I was so tired. I went in for my regular echo in November 2000, by January 2001, I crawled back to the doctors and said, something was wrong, and just could not go any longer. They did a Cardio cath, and found I needed surgery ASAP. I wanted to wait till spring, but they all told me I would not see spring, it was that bad. So, February 21 I had a new St. Jude mechanical valve put in. Finding that I had only 1/2 centimeter open. The surgery went fine, but I almost didn't make it through ICU. What I feared most, happened. I am claustrophobic, and even though I remember nothing, I had a war with the breathing tube. I went ballistic, although my arms were strapped down, my legs were not, and I flailed them, kicked and whatever else I could do. I got so bad I somehow bit my breathing tube in half, not allowing myself to breathe. Instead of waiting for the four minimum hours after surgery for them to remove it, they had to decide if they could take the chance and remove after just two hours. All this time, they asked that my fiancé stay with me, to try and help calm me down, the nurses and doctors were too busy with all the alarms and things going off, my BP had risen above 200, my temp over 103, it was like I was going to blow any moment. Besides the (thank God) portable pacemaker was being used continuously. So, they took the tube out, and for another two hours, it was a fight to keep me breathing on my own. Afterwards, I was so sorry I had done this to everyone. But I hope I NEVER have to do that again. Now, of course I am on Coumadin, although I am off the beta-blocker, I still need to take meds for my BP. The first few days at home was an experience, but my fiancé was an angel to me. Helping me in and out of bed, (he found out how many times I get up at night! LOL) helping me shower, cooking dinner, and cleaning the house. Now, I am at almost seven weeks, just able to start driving, but I am still sore. One day at a time. I thank God that at least I am still alive, and able to enjoy my family. But I do have issues with trying to deal with what I have. After all, I now have a bionic piece in my heart. I am thankful for stumbling across this site, and wish I had known about it before I had surgery.