Tammy Brock

My name is Tammy Brock. I live in a little place called Loganville, Ga. (Near Athens for all you GA Bulldog fans).  I knew I had a murmur for a while and after I had my son (Todd) in 1984 I was referred to a cardiologist.  This guy became a huge comfort to me for 10 years and then thanks to insurance I had to change (I’m very sad over that).  He found the mitral valve problem and suggested “No more children”.  I did have one more four years later (a girl, Lorna) and the next day went into Afib.  

So there I was 26 years old and not a care in the world until…..I had surgery April 6, 1989.  My husband (David) was a big supporter.  I cried on his shoulder many nights and days.  I have a Medtronic Mechanical Valve.  My surgeon at Emory Hospital said it should last forever.  They neglected to tell me with the Coumadin I have to take I may not last forever. But hey who wants to live forever!?!?  Hey my surgeon did Carroll O’Conner’s bypass surgery.

I’ve really had few complications. I take Coumadin, Lanoxin, Dipyridomole (sp?), and sometimes zanax. I hate taking medicine and have a very low tolerance to most drugs. I have a reaction to about everything.  My heart rate has stayed around 100 for the last year but all the meds I tried made me feel worse than just dealing with it. Sometimes I wonder about these doctors.  I miss my old cardiologist, he always listened and was concerned. This new guy just looks at me. I am seeing another new guy in a few weeks.

 The Coumadin is a nuisance but mine has stayed fairly stable. Except when I had my wisdom teeth removed and landed in the hospital.  The Oral Surgeon forgot to tell me to stop taking my coumadin.  I didn’t pay that bill.

 I work full time as a Bookkeeper and stay busy with my family.  They are my number one priority.  My son plays Varsity Football and my daughter is on a traveling soccer team.  There is always somewhere to be.

 I look forward to being a part of this wonderful place you have created.  I wish it were around years ago.  I have my moments of fear and like someone else stated, if I feel sick or something doesn’t feel right, I tend to panic. I don’t want to go through surgery again.

 My surgery went fairly well but they couldn’t repair the valve like they hoped they could.

I was in the hospital a week. My main concern was that I’m claustrophobic and I didn’t want to be stuck in a bed with all those tubes unable to talk.  But they kept me pumped up on morphine for the first day or two and then I had a reaction to something and had the dry heaves (no fun after open heart surgery).

 My story seems longer than everyone else’s but then I have had 11 years to build it up.

 By the way Hank, I saw your story and you really shouldn’t tease us like that.

 Take care and God Bless.

 My e-mail is tammbrock@aol.com.