I Regressed!!!

[Eileen2345]

I REGRESSED!! WHICH IS A GOOD THING!!


I am losing my disability, so I called my cardiologist and spoke with his nurse. She said that back in June, my echo came back completely normal.

Over the phone she said the report stated;

"The Septal Myectomy surgery done at the Cleveland Clinic was EXTREMELY successful.

Underlying rhythm is sinus.

The aoric root diameter and motion are normal.

Hypertophy of left ventrical has regressed, cardiac output is normal.

Trace of mital valve regurgitation.

Left atruim is measured at 4.0.

There are fibrocalcific changes of the aortic valve without evidence of stenosis.

The mital valve is thickened with no stenosis or prolapse seen.

Left ventricular cavitary dimensions are within normal limits.

There is no definite hypertophy suggested.

The septum is hypokinetic to slightly paradoxic probably on a postoperative basis as global systolic function is vigorous.

Right ventricle and atrium are normal, the latter measuring 25 mm.

No tricuspid valve abnormalities are identified.

There is no pericardial effusion."

End of Report---


I take it that this means I am doing really well. (?)

The cardologist says he only needs to see me every year and that he is amazed at how well the sugery helped me.

(This is the same cardio who told me I was going to die. Then I contacted the HCMA and had the myectomy at The CCF.)


I told the cardiac nurse that I still have HCM, (because she made it sound like I was cured) but she said, not enough to limit you in any way. Of couse, I don't mind losing disability, I am so happy I'm alive and well, but now I need to find health insurance (bummer).

I still have to have my ICD checked every 3 months.


This is amazing.
Three years ago, I could not walk across the house without being completely out of breath. Now, I am living normal!

Even though I cannot hike a mountain or run up flights of stairs, I'm okay for a 44 year old.


One thing is for sure. My cardiologist here is absolutely amazed at how successful this surgery was for me. He knows about Dr. Lever and Dr. Smedira.


Thank you Dr. Lever and Dr. Smedira :D :D :D :D

I can never thank you enough.

84,000 hugs to you and THE CCF


Eve

[Reenie]

I'm happy you're doing so well! Keep up the good work. :)

[Largehearted]

What a great report! Thanks for sharing your joy with the rest of us!

Leon

[gfox42]

Wow! Congratulations!

Gordon

[Lisa Salberg]

You made my day.... I remember when you wondered if you would see the new year.... and now WOW you are doing great! Quality treatment makes ALL the difference!

Take care!
Lisa

[Midge Rollins]

How wonderful for you.

[cimdxb2]

I like posts like these...builds hope for others,

Dave

[Eileen2345]

That's why I posted this Dave, because it may help give others who are facing this surgery or this condition some hope or postive thoughts, I needed some hope badly before my surgery.



Everyone...

Before my surgery, I was very anxious, I did not know if it would be successful, if others had good results, if they got better...ect.
So maybe my posting this may let some HCMers or HOCMers know that things can change for the better.

I would also like to add:

I lead a very healthy lifestyle, but the surgery -- no doubt saved my life.

Now, I do everything necessary to maintain what the myectomy did for me;
I do not smoke, I do not drink alcohol, I don't over-eat, I eat very healthy and I only have about 1500 mg to 2000 mg of salt a day (at the most 2000 mg).

I only have at the most 20 mg of sugar a day (not including fruit).

I take good supplements, like fish oil -- omega 3, omega 6, Co Q-10 (100mg daily), Vitamin C and some others.
(If you're taking a blood thinner, ask your doctor about fish oils and omega 6, they can thin your blood and thow off your blood test or be harmful. Do not take Vitamin K unless told by your doctor.)

I also take sublingual B-12 and other B Vitamins everyday.

And I take my Verapamil faithfully everyday.
I exercise almost daily as well.


But, oh my God, before the myectomy, I was just about a gonner. I was on oxygen, I could not walk more than a few yards and I would be completely out of breath, my skin was a grayish tone. I was in bad shape.

Also, after my surgery, I lost 35 pounds. I needed to, I was overweight, that was a big strain on my heart. And, I know Dr. Lever is serious about us HCMers not being overweight, and it's true, the extra weight was not good for my heart. I felt a big difference after I lost the weight. (But I could not have lost the weight if I had not had the surgery.)

None of this would have been possible if I had not had the best doctors and the best care at The CCF. And, huge credit to The HCMA, Lisa told me to call The Cleveland Clinic.
I am forever grateful. Words could not express how grateful I am.
Thank you infinitely.




Thanks everyone for reading my post.

Best Wishes,
Eve