For those of you struggling and/ or new

• by Grateful Heart
• 2015-12-06 04:12:09
• General Posting
• 944 views
• 0 comments

There is life after a PM, ICD or CRT. Today (Dec. 5th) is my 7th Year Anniversary!

The Doctors said a virus attacked my heart. CHF, LBBB, SSS, Cardiomyopathy, enlarged heart, Brady and an EF of 24%. Hence I was very short of breath and no energy.

After about 5 months of meds my EF went to 30% but it was not enough. I was told I needed a Bi-Vent CRT-D. It was one of those moments when time stood still and I didn't hear much of what the Doctor said after that because I was still processing that statement. We probably all felt like that. Like many of us, I thought such a device was only for older people.

I didn't know about this site then, I found it about 2 years later. I didn't know anyone who had a device. It was very scary.

Sometimes I think needing a device was a blessing in disguise. It was a wake up call for sure. It opened my eyes to my mortality and taught me to take better care of myself with diet and exercise and become an active participant in my medical care.

There have been some bumps in the road with my device but that's part of life. We get to a hurdle and then we get over it. We have to do our part and help ourselves where we can. Knowledge is power! A positive attitude and a sense of humor goes a very long way.

My heart is no longer enlarged and my EF is 55%. I am so grateful to my family, friends, and my great Doctors and Nurses.

It's been 7 years and yes, I have to say, I am a...

Grateful Heart