Jennifer Shoemaker

Name: Jennifer Shoemaker

Current Age: 31

Occupation: Investment Counselor

Your Family: Husband Harold, Cat Morris

When you found out about your condition:  I found out about my condition at age 25. I found out from the University of Iowa Hospitals and got my second opinion a year later from the Mayo clinic. I have been seen by my current Cardiologist for the past 4 years and have been seeing him on a yearly basis. I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve. I had my yearly appt. in May and was feeling ok but my ejection was running about 55-60% and up until that point I had not had any growth in my heart but now there was in the left ventricle. It was still in the normal range but in the "high" normal range. My cardiologist decided I needed to start coming in every 6 months and having an echo done. One month later it hit. I began having dizzy spells and even a fainting incident, always trying to catch my breathe, and going from run/walking 3 miles 5 times a week to barely making through the grocery store. I set up an appointment with the cardiologist and he said it was time for the valve surgery. We set an appointment up with the surgeon and was to see him in two weeks b/c he was on vacation. Two days later I knew I could not make it. That Fri. I called the surgeon's office, told them my concern and they agreed and got another appoint with a different surgeon that Tues. I thought after resting over the weekend I would be ok but that Monday it got worse, I went to the ER and was admitted. I had my Catheterization that Wed morning (even though my cardiologist said I had so much backflow that the reason for the cath. was just to check the coronary arteries). I went into surgery that Fri morning (my 31st birthday, what a gift!), ICU on Sat and left the hospital on Tues. I am now 7 weeks post op and back to work full time, doing 2 miles a day and will be looking forward to the day when I can do 4 miles!

What type of surgery you had: Bicuspid Aortic valve replacement

Medications after surgery: lopressor, coumadin

Type of valve you have: St. Jude mechanical valve

Your first few days home: Were spent sleeping on the couch/recliner and spent trying to do things that I shouldn't and then taking a day to recover from doing to much! Your recovery since then: Feel like I am getting stronger everyday but still have my moments. Just started back to work full time and it is very tiring!!!!!!! Any other comments you can share:

1.Always get a second opinion. Not that your doctor is wrong but it feels good to prove him right!

 2.Pray, Pray, Pray!!!

3.Thank goodness for family support!

4. Listen to your body, It knows you better than anyone

Jennifer Shoemaker