Heartmates

Name:	Rachael Freed (formerly Rhoda Levin)
E-Mail:	rachaelfreed@heartmates.com
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Date:	01/01/00 14:34
Comments:	Greetings to all HEARTMATES, newcomers, as well as those who have been here since we began the interactive part of the website in 1997. The interactive connections page is a dream fulfilled for Heartmates, because it helps to end or at least diminish the isolation that heartmates have struggled with for so long. Keep writing, and do contact others via their email addresses as cited with their messages. If you don't find someone here that you would like to contact, read in our archives. Many heartmates have posted messages here since 1997, and all of them are preserved in the archives, easy for you to access just above this message... Our best to each of you as this new year, decade, century and millennium begins ... May you experience the COURAGE and COMPASSION you need to continue your healing and energy to hold and support your family with LOVE.

Name:	Linda Freda
E-Mail:	lelmingfreda@allstate.ca
Date:	01/09/00 09:42
Comments:	On Nov. 2, 1999 my 42 year old husband suffered a massive MI. He arrested and was brought back by CPR and defribrillated by the Paramedics. On a scale of 1 to 10, our cardiologist said his attack was a 9. He suffered some short term memory loss from the arrest (which is now returned) and also has a blood clot which is being treated with Coumadin. He was a pack-a-day smoker and has since quit, cold turkey. But he is angry and resentful that his life is changed forever. He really enjoyed his life before. We eat a healthier diet now and he still is not smoking. But he watches TV all day and will not exercise. He also keeps his feelings to himself and does not talk much about things. He feels 'fine' he says. I have been positive and supportive not just for him, but for my in-laws as well. But, now I feel resentful, angry, frustrated and guilty. Due to the Christmas holiday, we have not been in contact much with the doctor. My husband is not in Cardiac Rehab yet and I think this would really help him. How do I get him into the program? I feel like I'm left to find out all the information, make all the arrangements and look after him by myself. What should I do? Who do I talk to? I feel that sometimes, unless you push for information, no one will volunteer it.

Name:	Brian
E-Mail:	bkelly@nls.net
Date:	01/13/00 13:41
Comments:	On Sept 2,1998 at the age of 34 I suffered a major MI and I arrested while in the E.R.I was in ventricular fib for 7 min,it took three zaps to bring me back.As far as I know I have no brain damage(I guess thats questionable...)I had a Ejection Fraction of 20%and I was doing great for the following year.I did rehab ,back to work full time,started dancing.I am very active with my two girls(4 and 9)In Nov of 99 I started getting some weird beats ,so the Doc said we should do some test cause it has been a year anyway.So on Mon,Nov 29 I went to the Cleveland Clinic for some testing(MRI,ECHO,DUBUTAMENE STREES TEST)and by late that afternoon they had found an anerysum with a blood clot on my left anterior part of my heart and I was not leaving.It took them until thursday to decide how they wanted to handle it.The decided to do a DOR procedure and a triple bypass and repair the mitral valve.Sugery took 8 hours and went excellent.They tell me that I am only the 34 person to have this DOR procedure done.The DOR procedur is were they remove the damage area and totally reshape the heart so now my left side is smaller and hopefully will work more efficently.Its only been 5 weeks and other than the surgery pain I feel good.Has anybody know or has had this done.Please let me know. As soon as they got the heart going after surgey I had an EF of 30%

Name:	Amy L. Yorra
E-Mail:	alyorra@yahoo.com
Date:	01/19/00 13:36
Comments:	Last July 10th, life as I have always known it ended. My husband had a major heart attack. He was in the cardiac care unit for 10 days. He was also forced to retire permenantly due to the amount of heart damage he had sustained because of the attack. It is difficult to cope with all the changes for both of us and try to continue to keep things going.

Name:	DAVE RODEN
E-Mail:	droden@infoave.net
Home Page:	none
Date:	01/19/00 20:24
Comments:	My DAD had his first attack when he was 32 he is now 65. He has went thru 3 sets of quad bypasses. then aortia valves the saint judes valve failed. they then put a pig valve in. all has went good for the past ten years this past fall they installed a pace maker. He now has the FLU and they are going to put a new pace maker in thru the leg/groin area.Is this something new? He has also had the artry in his neck and a brain anurisum clipped. He still is active and gets around good. He hunts/ fishes/Walks/.His mind is still sharp.If anyone has any info on the pacemaker in the leg please let me know.

Name:	Diane Logiudice
E-Mail:	Bearsandreams@yahoo.com
Home Page:	none
Date:	02/14/00 17:49
Comments:	I am so glad that I found this site. I need someone to talk to so bad. On Friday, February 11, 2000, my mom who will be 68 on March 8th was rushed by ambulance because she couldn't breathe. She had been battling the flu (even though she had a flu shot) for a few days. At the hospital they did an Echocardiagram and an Ultrasound. They told her that she had a minor heart attack and congestive heart failure due to the build up of mucous from the flu. The doctor put her on heart medication that he said will strengthen her heart, and said that possibly in the future she will need surgery, but for now medication will be fine. I am scared out of my mind!!!!! I have read that congestive heart failure patients have a one to two year survival rate. I am in no way ready to lose my mom, but I really need to know the truth. Please! I need information and support. If there is anyone out there who has had experience with congestive heart failure, please write to me. My mom had a stroke about four years ago that she FULLY recovered from in a few weeks. I'm hoping with all my heart that she can at least live for more than a couple of years with this heart problem.

Name:	Linda Freda
E-Mail:	lelmingfreda@allstate.ca
Date:	02/16/00 17:42
Comments:	Hi all, I just wanted to thank all of you wonderful people who have responded to my message. It is gratifying to know that people care and are willing to help others in a similar situation. This web site has been a real blessing for me and helped me cope tremendously. I have ordered the Heartmates book and am anxious to read it. Since my last entry in January, my husband has improved very much. He is back to work almost full-time and has some control again over his life. He is more communicative and is looking forward to going to Rehab. So, my message is to keep positive and take each day at a time. Things will improve, it is just a slow process. Thanks again for all your good wishes. You really helped.

Name:	Debbie Mae Bond
E-Mail:	Debbie.bond@acenet.net.au
Date:	02/16/00 22:07
Comments:	Hello. I had corrective surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot (Congenital Heart Defect) in 1963 at age 3. I am looking for other survivors to correspond with. I tire more easily these days.

Name:	Andrea Evans
E-Mail:	fpmclure@axionet.com
Home Page:	none
Date:	02/21/00 07:55
Comments:	Hello, Friends, You have not heard from me in many months. I thought we were going along very well. In Dec.98, my 69 yr old husband (of 37 yrs) had a massive heart attack, crashed in the ambulance and was brought back, had tripple by-pass and major non-operable metrolvalve damage. He has very poor short term memory. He is a man who never lost a day of work due to sickness in all of his 45 working years. I am disabled due to back and arthritis problems. he was always the care giver. Our life has little resemblence to the life before the heart attach. ( Not news to anyone who has been there). our sex life is just that --sex--not making love. he doesen't touch me ( I need hugs) all he wants is sex now thanks. He is 70. More and more he retreates into sort of a shell and "takes charge" of his life but without consideration for the consequences. We went through a time when he wouldn't take his meds but at last this is overcome. I just feel so awfully lonely. We used to enjoy doing things together and now I am not able to go some of the places he goes so we have very separate lives. We are both Christians and his activities are certainly related to that. But I feel he is pulling further away from me goes out and comes home and sleeps or reads. He is terribly tired all of the time. He cannot help it. So far the prognosis is status-quo for him and this is a blesssing. I have lost my lover and my friend. I know that my illness plays into this but it isn't the whole story. In the past couple of months I have added a thyroid out of control and middle ear infection to my list of ailments, making me just a "barrel of fun". So I am by no means putting all of our problems on him. But he used to be able to deal with them and help me and now that is gone. I read this over and sound so selfish but it feels so good to speak about everything in this non- judgemental forum. Do others of you find yourselves in circumstances somewhat like this? Thank you for listening. It helps at 5:00 in the morning to be able to pour this out. Thank you for reading. Andrea ---fpmclure@axionet.com

Name:	JAMES HAMMERBACHER
E-Mail:	HAMMERBACH@AOL.COM
Date:	02/23/00 16:40
Comments:	MY FATHER WAS TOLD HE WILL HAVE TO HAVE HIS AORTIA VALVE REPLACED COULD ANYONE PLEASE GIVE ME SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SURGERY THANK YOU

Name:	Julia
E-Mail:	jspag72813@aol.com
Date:	02/25/00 20:57
Comments:	My original disease is Polycythemia Vera.....a rather rare blood disorder where my bone marrow produces too many blood cells, including platelets. To control this, I take a form of oral chemo therapy. I have been a vegetarian for over 12 years, my blood pressure is perfect, and cholesterol, triglicerides, etc. is fantastic. In November 1999, I suffered a mild heart attack. They performed an angiogram which revealed a 70% blockage in a very minor branch artery. An additional Thalium Stress Test revealed no other problems. I was sent home on calcium channel blockers and a little bottle of nitroglycerine in case of angina pain. During November, December and January I had to take nitro almost every day (sometimes at least 3). I never knew if it was time to go to the ER. Early in February 2000, I awoke at 2:30 a.m. with severe chest pain. Even though the pain went away with 1 nitro, I knew I had a heart attack. When I first went to the hospital, my cardiogram was normal and they said I did not have an MI.....six hours later the cardiac enzymes were up and I had had another mild heart attack. An additional angiogram, showed that the little insignifcant arterial blockage had closed and there was another more significant blockage in another artery. The stress test was still all right, but they decided that a baloon angioplasty would help. During the procedure, I heard the specialist say that the little blockage had opened up and the more significant blockage had opened somewhat. After much deliberation, they decided to run the balloon through and inserted a stainless steel stent. They told me I would fee PERFECT. That was one week ago. After serious chest pain, palpitations and shortness of breath, I was told to go to ER to see if the stent had moved. It had not. However, I feel worse than ever before. I have an almost constant heaviness in my chest (going from mild to uncomfortable) and feel shortness of breath and am very shaky at times. NONE OF THE DOCTORS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING.....THEY CALL ME A MYSTERY PATIENT. I am now using Nitro Patches (which don't work 100% and give me terrible migraines. I feel that something is terribly wrong. Can anyone whare a similar problem with me? It would mean so much to me. Thank you.

Name:	Rachael@Heartmates looking for Mrs. C. Legere
E-Mail:	rachaelfreed@heartmates.com
Home Page:	www.heartmates.com
Date:	02/29/00 10:34
Comments:	LOOKING FOR MRS. C. LEGERE Mrs. C. Legere wanted to order Heartmates® A Guide..., sent an order form to us on 2/27/00 but it didn't have the necessary identifiying information on it ... email address, mailing address. Please contact Heartmates again, Mrs. Legere so we can arrange for your order. Thanks, Rachael @ Heartmates

Name:	Patrick Butler
E-Mail:	pbutler@yahoo.com
Date:	03/04/00 10:28
Comments:	HI i,am a 42 years old and just had five bypasses on Febuary 7th of this year.

Name:	Tim McWhirter
E-Mail:	tmcwhirter@iquest.net
Date:	03/11/00 08:31
Comments:	My mother has just under gone open heart surgery with that having 4 by-passes. She was recovering great then on the 3 day of recovery was told that she will need a pacemaker. Has anyone had a similar situation happen to them and is there any comforting thoughts on the subject.

Name:	Kimberly Morris
E-Mail:	kmorris1971@hotmail.com OR boris@nb.sympatico.ca
Home Page:	none as of yet
Date:	03/16/00 21:51
Comments:	First, I would like to Thank whom ever decided to get this web page together. I have been looking for something like it and thank god I have finally found it. Hello everyone here at Heartmates. My name is Kimberly Morris, I am 28 and my finance David Rogers whom is 27 recently (July 22, 1971) had open heart surgery. WOW!! I can'nt even imagine it myself sometimes. He had Endocarditis and needed a valve replacement. He had surgery, the day after my 28 birthday and I thank God everyday for giving me the best birthday present ever possible, a successful surgery to the man I love and will marry this year. I use to think that I was going crazy, being selfish and uncontrolled but since I started reading a book called Heartmates, I am dealing with my issues and starting to realize that I am not ALONE! I CAN PULL THROUGH THIS AND WILL, we willl do it together, all of us.

Name:	Kimberly Morris
E-Mail:	kmorris1971@hotmail.com OR boris@nb.sympatico.ca
Home Page:	none
Date:	03/16/00 22:30
Comments:	Hi again, I thought, after reading my last interactive connection, that I would write another. Anyway,Dave and I met in 92 and live a fun and loving filled life. Dave had a problem for quite some time, undergoing test upon test, but nothing. He had some bad symptoms (headaches, nausea, soreness and many other personal symptoms) but no one could figure out what was wrong with him. Then one day, he was told he had a rare form of blood cancer. What a shocker that was. Then we found out differently when he was entered into the hospital and took a stroke and heartache. I was shocked, I never realized someone so young could have such a thing. Then one doctor realized that he had something wrong with his heart. They told us that he was born with a heart defect. He only has 2 cyspt where we are suppose to be born with 3. We also found out that he had Endocarditis (which is an infection in the lining of the heart) and then on top of all this we are told he will need open heart surgery because he had a leaky valve. Then we seen specialist and more specialist, went from hospital to hospital and then surgery was finally the answer. This was a 2 1/2 month process, that turned life upside down. Now we are living with the after affects. We love each other very much and are dealing with our new lifestyle in different ways. Taking one day at a time and learning a new life with God. Before Daves surgery he did not believe in God, then God reached out to him and held his hand and has been holding it every since. If anything good has come out of this, it would be Daves new found love for Jesus and the people we have met who love us. Dave finds it very difficult to deal with the things he can no longer do. He was very, very active. He has many friends and is a wonderful guy,However, I feel and so does he that he needs a friend, a friend who is living a simular lifestyle. Someone who he can share and totally understand the affects of living after surgery. I thank anyone who had taken the time to read this, and I look forward to a response from you. Thank you, Kim and Dave!!

Name:	Nan Ganz
E-Mail:	nganz@clark.net
Date:	03/19/00 14:19
Comments:	I've been very glad and thankful for the support and connections this website has brought into my life. On Friday, 3/17, my husband lost his twin brother to a massive heart attack. His brother and his wife had taken a trip to Israel, which they'd both been very much looking forward to. They'd had a nice day in Israel, visited some mudbaths, and had a good meal, and then he had this heart attack and died in his wife's arms. He'd had a stress test before leaving on this trip because of my husband's health problems, and he passed it! His brother had been fairly healthy and taking very good care of himself, so this caught the whole family totally off guard. I'm very concerned for my husband's well-being with all this added stress. Every time things seem to be settling down a little for us, something else happens. Thanks for letting me vent a little. It's going to be a loooooong week.

Name:	Lisa
E-Mail:	thefraziers@abts.net
Date:	03/26/00 13:05
Comments:	In November, 1999, my husband and I were in WV for his dad's funeral. My husband kept having a BAD headache. I could not get him to go to the hospital in WV. So, when we returned to NC, I got him an appointment with a doctor. I was leaving for work, when my boss called me back into the plant. I did not get to the phone in time, so I called the Medical Center back. I told the nurse who I was looking for, she finally got back on the phone. I told her not to let him leave. She said, "He is not going anywhere." I made her tell me what was wrong. She said, "It's his heart." I will never forget those words. When I got to the offices, they were preparing him for transport to a local hospital. He was so pale. To make things short...He is 36. A pack a day smoker...has cut down considerably, but still trying to quit. He had angiplasty done. Has regular check-ups to check other blockages and is on medication for the rest of his life. He was not overweight nor was his chloesterol too high..he is a smoker and has heart problems in his family. I thank the doctor that found something irregular in his heart rhythum. They also found he had suffered at least one heart attack sometime. I have problems dealing with this a lot. I fear I will find him and will not be able to help him. I know this sounds terrible, but I know we will have to deal with his heart problems the rest of his life. Any suggestions? I have the HEARTMATES book. Am I alone for feeling this way?

Name:	Robin
E-Mail:	ralwine@aol.com
Date:	03/27/00 15:39
Comments:	I just found out in the wee hours this morning that my wonderful husband has congestive heart failure. We had no idea, until he awoke after a couple of nights of difficulty breathing unable to take a deep breath. We'd thought it was due to his working outside. I knew it was serious when he asked me to take him to the ER. He's always been very healthy, good weight, good eating habits, etc. He is rarely ill. He doesn't complain. We did get him on Lipitor last year for elevated cholesterol, and had good results. This is a shock. Now I don't know what to think. After a skin cancer removal earlier this month, and now this, I feel overwhelmed! Where do I go from here? I feel so scared!

Name:	GINNY MARKS
E-Mail:	VIMA46@AOL
Home Page:	march 27,2000
Date:	03/27/00 19:25
Comments:	HI, MY HUSBAND HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY, TRIPLE BYPASS ON MARCH 7TH THIS YEAR. TWO DAYS LATER HE WAS ALSO TOLD HE WAS DIABETIC. IT WASN'T BAD ENOUGHT THAT HE HAD HEART PROBLEMS NOW HE WAS DIABETIC ALSO. QUIT ALOT TO DEAL WITH. HE IS 53 YEARS OLD AND BEFORE THIS HE HAD NEVER TAKEN ANY MEDICATION FOR ANYTHING. NOW HE CAME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL ON INSULIN AND 8 DIFFERENT MEDICATIONS. HE IS HAVING A REAL HARD TIME WITH ALL OF THIS. ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP PLEASE WRITE ME. HELP HELP HELP

Name:	Joe
E-Mail:	jandsfourie@xtra.co.nz
Date:	04/05/00 16:31
Comments:	I have recently suffered my first heart attack and have been supplied with Nitrolingual Spray by my Doctor. I have been advised to use this spray before any physical exertion ( walking, sexual activity etc) How will this affect me? Will the medication have any adverse effect on my physical performance? Thanks Joe

Name:	Kathy
E-Mail:	kwaggs47@aol.com
Home Page:	4/6/00
Date:	04/06/00 10:02
Comments:	What a great idea this web site really is - mended hearts coming together to support each other. I am a 52 year old female who was brushed off because I looked healthy and had vague symptoms. Three angios and a double by-pass later, I have come to terms with the limitations I am dealing with on a daily basis. I would like to hear from anyone whose symptoms are continuing in spite of diet and exercise. Chest pains and shortness of breath at times tend to make me paranoid, and I wonder just when to call the doctor. It has been so helpful reading and sharing your stories, many thanks for this great service. God Bless! Kathy

Name:	Ted
E-Mail:	tlsargent@aol.com
Date:	04/06/00 13:08
Comments:	I am 36 yrs. old and had open heart surgery six months ago. I had a ascending aortic aneurysm repair and my aortic valve replaced. The problem was found by accident during a routine physical. I never had any symptoms and walked into the hospital for surgery. It was a long (6-10 wks.) recovery but I am now back to work. Unfortunately, I have to take Coumadin forever and have been having some problems keeping my blood PT level where they want it. I work as a firefighter and my doctor was a little hesitant to let me go back to work. He said because of the Coumadin, not the new heart valve. I really haven't had any problems but I am nervous that something might happen. I am young and don't look forward to taking Coumadin forever, I wish there was some alternative. I just wanted to talk, if anyone has had a similar experience I would like to talk.

Name:	Kathy
E-Mail:	kwaggs47@aol.com
Date:	04/08/00 10:12
Comments:	Is your system down again, I submitted two letters on April 5 and 6, and to date have not seen them? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks for the great web site! Kathy

Name:	Danielle
E-Mail:	minifaye@magma.ca
Home Page:	none
Date:	04/21/00 16:46
Comments:	I have been a heartmate for 11 years now. But only recently did my husband have a heart attack. In 1989 he had quadruple bypass surgery without having had a heart attack. But last October and also this Feb his bypasses collapsed and blocked. Right now he is debilitated to a point where now we just exist. I think we are at the point where his heart might be starting to fail. Can anyone tell me the first signs (I mean the smaller ones)of congestive heart failure. When that is the case does the blood pressure drop? How does one know that that is what it now is? I am getting confusing information. Thank you. Danielle

Name:	STEVE
E-Mail:	AMAMAIL@AOL.COM
Home Page:	hometown.aol.com/amamail/anti.html
Date:	04/21/00 17:02
Comments:	I have had two Heart attacks and a three week coma which caused anoxic brain injury. After the second heart attack it was discovered I had a blood clotting disorder called Antitibody Syndrome. I have a web site on the disorder at http://hometown.aol.com/AMAmail/Anti.html This is a graet site Steve

Name:	Amy L. Yorra
E-Mail:	YORRA2000M@aol.com
Date:	04/25/00 20:30
Comments:	First, I would like to thank the people who contacted me after my first entry. It has helped to know that we are not alone. Also, it's nice to know that many of our feelings are normal. The latest update is that my husband is still going to cardiac rehab. and holding his own. We've been through some real tough times recently with some real hits familywise. This past week, we lost our niece to cancer(she was only 43). The funeral was unbelieveably hard for my husband. He had a lot of chest discomfort. I had spoken to our doctors about how to help. But, boy have I been nervous and scared that this is going to cause Marty to have another heart attack. All I can do is hold my breath and pray that we survive. It's nice to have a place to vent my feelings. Thanks again.

Name:	Nan Ganz
E-Mail:	nganz@clark.net
Date:	04/26/00 19:03
Comments:	Since I last wrote, we have been working our way through the loss of my husband's twin brother. We had to travel to Virginia for the funeral, and New Jersey for the burial. My husband, our son, and I shared the Virginia part of the driving, and his sister and brother-in-law drove us up to New Jersey and back and forth while we were there. We rode back with his sister-in-law and her two sons, and I drove us home from her house in Virginia. Since then, we've been pretty much taking things one day at a time. Steve started a cardiac rehab program at our local hospital last week, and has six months to complete it. It includes three exercise sessions a week, one education session a week, a support group that meets twice a month for both of us, and various presentations by local doctors. So far, he seems to be enjoying it. Even though he wears a nitropatch every day, they said he should keep sublingual nitro pills in his pocket. I find this interesting since he's never experienced any chest pain--we were told that diabetes (he's a Type 2) masks the symptoms of a heart attack. All he had when he had his attack was coughing and shortness of breath. I also wanted to share with all of you heartmates the name of another helpful group; the National Family Caregivers Association. I found out about them when Steve had his stroke last summer and I picked up a brochure at the rehabilitation center. If anyone is interested in learning more about them, they are online at www.nfcacares.org They offer support, education, information, and representation. I joined a few months ago, and I recommend it highly. You'd be surprised and pleased to know about some of the bills that are in the works to help caregivers and their "patients". I'd be interested to know if there are any other members among the heartmates, and what those of you who look into this organization think of it. Take care, be well, and stay in touch.

Name:	Kath
E-Mail:	kwaggs47@aol.com
Date:	04/27/00 18:22
Comments:	There have been no entries since 4/5/00, including mine - whats's happening?

Name:	Renee
E-Mail:	rbanks1352@cs.com
Home Page:	angelfire.lycos.com/wa2/kidneydonor/index.html
Date:	04/28/00 03:03
Comments:	My husband, Travis, and I have been married for 17 years. We have two boys ages 9 and 12. Travis was diagnosed with congestive heart failure in November 1994, Thanksgiving weekend. He was 41 years old and in basically good health. It started out like the flu and progressed into bronchitis. He wasn't able to sleep, and he had a lot of trouble breathing. He was a heavy smoker, but he cut back considerably because smoking made it even more difficult for him to breathe. When his condition worsened, I took him back to the doctor, and they discovered he now had pneumonia. He received a prescription for Biaxin, but his condition did not improve. He was coughing up bloody sputum and was unable to eat. I asked him to go to the hospital, but it took another day before he would agree to go.The doctor on duty sent him to have x-rays done, and they thought he had asthma because he said he was having trouble breathing. They were about to send him home with an inhaler. Luckily, a cardiologist was in the emergency room. He noticed Travis had an enlarged heart when he took a look at the x-rays. I knew something was terribly wrong when two doctors came in the room to talk to us. We were told he had an enlarged heart, and the diagnosis was congestive heart failure. I was only 33 years old, and had never heard of it before. I called my mother-in-law because she is a health care provider, and I knew she would know what that meant. She burst into tears and couldn't stop crying when I told her. Travis was admitted to the hospital in the middle of the night and was there for 3 days. He lost 20 pounds in one day because of the diuretics. He only weighed 170 lbs prior to this, so he looked very frail when he dropped down to 150 lbs. He was put on a salt free diet and told he would have to stop smoking. He was also advised not to have any alcohol. He hasn't had a cigarette or any alcohol since then. In the beginning, he had to wear a nitroglycerin patch, but his new doctor eliminated it. He is still able to work, but he has to take a 3 to 4 hour nap when he gets home because he is so tired. Luckily, he has a desk job. Sometimes he gets weak and feels faint when he is in a store. This usually passes after he sits down and rests. He takes 4 different medications just to keep his condition under control. He gets depressed at times because he was quite active and athletic prior to this. He still goes for walks and exercises when he feels up to it, but nothing like he used to do. Thank you for putting together this forum. It has been a big help.

Name:	Leslie David Manners
E-Mail:	wisma_nova@yahoo.com
Date:	05/01/00 00:05
Comments:	I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy two months ago with a LVEF =.29. Intially I exhibited typical symptoms- shortness of breath after climbing one flight of stairs, difficulty in breathing while sleeping ,etc.My BP was on the higher side- 180/100 but has now stabilized. My Doctor has put me on Lasilactone ,Carvedilol, amlodipine and Digoxin. These have helped tremendously -so much so I feel normal again .What does this meansin terms og my prognosis for the future- I can still walk faster than most people /. What is available on the Internet is pretty gloomy. Thanks Leslie

Name:	Linda
E-Mail:	Ls953@aol.com
Date:	05/05/00 21:03
Comments:	My 56 yr old significant other had quintuple bypass in Feb. I'm having trouble dealing with the behavioral changes and seem to keep making mistakes in handling the situation. Can anyone give me input and/or support in understanding this? How long does it last? Any meds that seem to cause these changes? Please write with any info.

Name:	Jann
E-Mail:	MALDE1952@.com
Date:	05/08/00 08:35
Comments:	My husband had his second bypass in 9 years. He is doing fine now. We are working on diet and the rest of the lifestyle changes. I would like to hear encouraging news about how all the lifestyle changes have helped patients to not have recurrences of surgery, etc. I would like to hear from people who have not had problems in the last 10 years. Thanks and hang in there everyone! Jann

Name:	Lisa Justice
E-Mail:	ljustice@netpluscom.com
Date:	05/13/00 10:59
Comments:	HI my dad age 53 had triple bypass surgery done on monday May 8,2000. They say that his heart is good and is health is fine. He is having severe problems with is memory and is being very violent at times so they have restrain him. My mother is having a hard time dealing with this and is driving her self into depression. The doctors told us that if he is not better soon mentally that they would have to send him to a nursing home for hehab. My mother is refusing and thinks she can take care of him at home but she cannot. The doctors also say that alot of his problems is severe withdrawls from nicotine and caffine. Is there anyone out there that has experienced these same problems and if so contact me. It would be highly appreciated.

Name:	Michelle Gregan
E-Mail:	shelly@compwest.net.au
Date:	05/14/00 04:41
Comments:	This and other sites I have found are fantastic!! Finally i realise i am not alone in the world with this heart problem!! Thanks to the people who have made it possible in putting together this site. My problem started out in '92 when I was 30. I became very ill with a virus - developing into viral myocarditis. I was also for months before a gym junkie (no steroids though) - twice a day and then swimming at night. Almost training like an athlete - and holding a fulltime job as well. I realised i wasn't keeping up with the others in working out so i pushed myself harder. After seeing a cardio. you name it, I had it - blood tests, ECGs, scans, gated heart pool scan, holter monitors, injections for 6 months intravenous prednisone and sotalol .... My exercise regime of course took a back seat for a while - reduced to just walking which I found extremely difficult after such a busy workout period. Gradually i was able to increase my exercise until i could jog for say 20 mins. a day, weights etc. My heart was still not great but o.k. and i knew how far to go. In '98 i became pregnant and towards the end of the pregnancy i became quite sick - admitted to hospital and then induced at 36 weeks. They said my heart had got really bad and was lucky to pull through. Well i'm happy to say i have a fantastic little baby boy Luke - but life now is extremely difficult - tiring, especially being a solo mum. They have put me on some hefty drugs and if i don't respond to this a heart transplant may be on the cards. Anyway, i was so excited to find this and another site on the net, and intend to do some study from jon's "manual". The cardio health regime sounds promising and I have already had emails back from other people giving me hope. I have found my doctors and cardio. have not been forthcoming with information as much as i would like. I am so happy there are finally other people out there that understand what i am going through.

Name:	Josie England
E-Mail:	djje@prodigy.net
Date:	05/17/00 20:35
Comments:	I'm 18 years old and I have ventricular arithmia. They come about every other beat.... I also have MVP. I would like to know if there is any long term affects from this. Thanks!

Name:	Pancho
E-Mail:	melez@df1.telmex.net.mx
Date:	05/18/00 03:21
Comments:	Hi everyone: I'm in the middle of hell¡¡Tomorow i will bring my father (68 years) to the hospital to have an open heart sugery (MITRAL VALVE REPLACEMENT), and let me tell you ¡¡I'm about to have a nervous brake down¡¡ it took me 4 months to prepare every thing for his surgery, I don't know how is it in the rest of the world... but in Mexico to deal with the inssurance companies it's crasy.. it was an strugle but the inssurance is paying for everything (35,000 american dollars).. the problem is that even if i succed in this I'M NOT HAPPY AT ALL(my dad's life is in serious danger) .. i'm exausted fisical and phsicologiclly and we are JUST STARTING... in my family he has always been "The chairman of the board", but now he can bearly walk, he lost a lot of weigth and have severe depresions.. i like to think that after the sugery and with the help of god everything will be fine and life will be normal again... but being real i don't know wath to expect... Please if you had an expirience like this one please let me know wath will come... Thank you very much.

Name:	karondial
E-Mail:	karondial@hotmail
Date:	05/29/00 19:01
Comments:	Hi everyone, I am 52 y/o still attempting to work. I am in cardiac rehab for stable angina/congestive heart failure. My primary physician has also given me a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy but my cardiologist has only given the angina, CHF and hypertension. I am a RN working in case management at a hospital (very stress full job). I am also legally blind and my job has been adapted as much as possible. At work I am still required to do a lot of reading and writing. After work I am too fatigued to do an exercise program. (I ride a paratransit van to and from work which adds 2 to 4 hours on my work day). I have decided to seek my disability benefits but I have a sense of giving up. My cardiac rehab nurse and physical therapists tell me that I am finally taking care of myself. I hope I am doing the right thing because I want to live long enough to see my grand children reach adulthood (5 y/o). Thanks for letting me share my feelings. KaronDial

Name:	Marissa Mcfarlane
E-Mail:	Charmaine127@hotmail.com
Home Page:	none
Date:	06/05/00 10:57
Comments:	I just found out yesterday that my cousin Estica will have to have heart surgery next month. She is no older than 17 or 18. I wanted to know how long after the surgery will she have to stay in the hospital, and how long it will take her to get back to a normal life.

Name:	Tammy
E-Mail:	RTTanu@msn.com
Date:	06/06/00 10:19
Comments:	We are trying to adopt a 7 week old baby boy. After someone left him on a group cares doorstep when he was 2 weeks old. He is so small, so we think he was a bit premature. They took him to the hospital to be examined. They have found a hold in his heart. I don't even know what that means. Is it dangerous, is it fixable or will he outgrow it. Will he live a normal life. Does anyone know about this type of problem?

Name:	Nan Ganz
E-Mail:	nganz@clark.net
Date:	06/09/00 17:03
Comments:	I have made a number of new friends through this website, and have appreciated hearing from those who have contacted me. My husband is doing better for a change. He's attending a cardiac rehab program three times a week and we go to a support group twice a month. The shoe now seems to be trying to switch to the other foot, though. On memorial day Monday we went to our nephew's wedding in New Jersey and I ended up having an angina attack toward the beginning of the reception and being taken to the local hospital. I was discharged again on Wednesday midday, but now am headed for Johns Hopkins on Monday for cardiac catheterization. Not looking forward to it, but I am hoping they won't find much of anything since my previous tests (thallium stress test, echocardiogram, and ekg) and cardia enzymes were all normal. Keep your fingers crossed for me and I'll let you know how it all comes out. I'll appreciate any support I can get over the weekend--I'm a very nervous patient.

Name:	Nan Ganz
E-Mail:	nganz@clark.net
Date:	06/16/00 15:57
Comments:	Well, the cardiac cath is just where I wanted it--behind me. It also ended up including an angioplasty and the placement of two stints. Recovery so far has been quiet and uneventful, and I hope it stays that way. Are there any other "Cardiac Couples" out there with advice to offer on this new situation in our lives?

Name:	stefanie
E-Mail:	sstefanievoss@hotmaul.com
Home Page:	n/a
Date:	06/20/00 12:41
Comments:	My mom suffered a major heart attack in feb of 99.We told that she had chf.Her ef was 15%.I did alot of research and everything I read was horrible. My mom was not getting outof bed, was not exercising,she was not doing any of the things that other patients with chf wre able to do.In nov,mom went into the hospitol awaiting a transplant. Her anti-body level was too high and would kill another heart.After being transfered to houston,dr Frasier placed an Lvad into her.Shortly thereafter she started having seizures.Mom returned home with a tube running out of her side thatis connected to a power base or thatcan be plugged into battery packs.Mom has lost an incredable amount of weight and is in great pain.The drs say weight gain will help ease her pain.Meanwhile,she is waiting for a heart, but at her last dr visit was told her anti-bodies are still way too high.She is allergic to morphine and and varius other painkillers. In her struggle for longetivity, her quality of life has greatly suffered.Is there anyone who is going thru anything similar to this?

Name:	Michele Lewis
E-Mail:	mdlewis@runet.edu
Date:	06/20/00 22:00
Comments:	My 57 year old mom had triple bypass in November of 1999 and since then has had 6 or 7 hospitalizations secondary to pulmonary edema and CHF. The bypass came after her second heart attack (the first of which she never felt). My mom has so much more life to live and some days she acknowledges this. Other days, she feels so lousy that she is angry, hostile and depressed. As, a child, I do not recall her being an especially doting mother and she and I have not been close in my adult years. She has kept me at arms length despite my desires to know her and I'm just not sure why. To add to this, I now live 600 miles from her and have a toddler to care for. Each hospitalization is like a nightmare and I need to grapple with the inevitable truth of her mortality and decide if I need to get up there. I was there for her surgery and once again in March when her CHF had taken a turn for the worse. I feel some assurance that my brother lives in her town and is there for her daily, but I struggle daily with my feelings of helplessness, anger, sadness and frustration. I have a pretty good understanding of her medical treatment and her cardiologist is a most wonderful communicator. So I guess I'm writing to find out if there is anyone else out there dealing with unresolved end of life issues with a loved one with heart disease.

Name:	Cindy Vaughn
E-Mail:	cvaughn@mtscampus.edu
Date:	06/21/00 15:10
Comments:	Help at last! I'm 34 and 2 weeks after having a baby I had a heart attack and emergency bypass surgery. I am curious to hear the types of pains and such that you have experienced after bypass surgery. I am 3 months post-op and STRESSED to the hilt! My Dr. is not very helpful. If he spends 5 min. with you he feels he has done his job, which makes me hesitant to call if I have questions. I'm also curious to hear from you if a mammory artery was used. I had (have)Left Main Disease and supposedly by using the mammory artery I should live a long healthy life. (none of this was told to me by my Dr.) Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Name:	Lorna
E-Mail:	chewy@telusplanet.net
Date:	06/22/00 07:51
Comments:	My dad had angioplasty and they put a stint in last week. He is still having angina, sometimes more often than before. It comes at odd times, even if he isn't doing anything. He went to the hospital and they told him it might be heartburn but was treated for that and it is angina. We can not get any answers. Has anyone else out there had these kind of problems after. Please contact me if there is anything you can help us with. We are very frightened. Thank you

Name:	Audrey
E-Mail:	A72737@aol.com
Date:	06/26/00 12:31
Comments:	What a wonderful site to find. God always put me right where I need to be. My 65 year old husband had a 5way by pass in Jan of 1990 and has also suffer from some congestive heart failure since. I've "caught" him smoking several times & smell the smoke on him often, but I just have to let that go. He is currently in a study & had difullator put in jan of 2000. This month of June, he has had 3 eposiods, one causing him to be unconcious for a brief time. Scary . I'm over weight, my eating is all about feelings, & trying to work on my eating habits but get really scared at tiems. I'm not very prepared to be left alone any time soon. Thanks for listening.

Name:	Patsi Johnson
E-Mail:	antbunny7@hotmail.com
Home Page:	6/26/00
Date:	06/26/00 21:02
Comments:	My mother is suffering from congestive heart failure. She found out about her condition when she was being treated for something else. She has high blood presure and is a diebetic also. It has been a year since the docter told her she had 6 months to live. She is doing great from what she is telling the family. But, lately she has been having sever bouts of depression. During these bouts she also is having a lot of breathing problems. We are having a hard time of her telling us what she is feeling as well as her overall physical and mental conditions. We just need to know what to do as far as to get her to open up and tell us the truth.

Name:	Julie
E-Mail:	Mattyroh2@aol.com
Date:	06/30/00 16:35
Comments:	My husband, 46, was told four weeks ago that he has dilated cardiomyopathy. When he initially went in for the cardiac catheterization, we thought bypass would be the worst thing we could face. We were quite wrong! However, our doctor has told us that one-third of those with this condition recover, one-third live with the condition with no change, and one-third will get worse. While I look at this as a two-thirds chance of living, my husband has said that he has a two-thirds chance of never recovering. I am hoping his frame of mind will improve in time. Finding this website was a god-send - I wish the best to all of you who have posted messages

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1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 Jan - Jun | 2000 July - Dec
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