Today was my last appointment with my cardiologist in Delaware. At my previous appointment, 2 weeks ago he went over the results of my echocardiogram. My ejection fraction was at 45% at diagnosis and had gone up to 48% in a month and my blood pressure was elevated so he added another medication. I told him that I was moving and he scheduled me for a stress test which is what I had today.
The stress test involved me running on a treadmill and I was worried thinking that maybe I should have “practiced”. The test began with an ultrasound of my heart. The technician stopped the ultrasound and said that she was going to get my cardiologist. I knew then that I wasn’t going to get good news and started bracing myself for the news and a potential hospital stay. When they came into the room the tech pointed at the screen and said, “See, her ejection fraction (EF) is at least 55”. You could have knocked me down with a feather. The rest of the test went well and I surprised myself on how long I ran on the treadmill. My exercise regimen includes running after my kids and clients, riding my stationary bike every blue moon and dancing around my house.
After the stress test I went to my cardiologist’s office where he went over the results. He was pleased in the progress I’d made and that it’s important that I find a cardiologist when I move. Then he went to a topic that I’ve held my breath on since my diagnosis: having more children. He told me that he didn’t see any reason for me to not have more children, but advised me that there is always a possibility of me relapsing. He went on to explain that if I were to plan to get pregnant that I needed to stop taking my blood pressure medication.
When I went back out to the waiting room where my husband was sitting with a big smile on my face. As we left the building the tears began to flow. It felt amazing to get some good news. I’d been discouraged for a few weeks. As I’ve lost so many heart sisters in the past few weeks. I’d been preparing myself to receive the worse news possible and I never thought I be receiving such awesome news.
I really believe that my early diagnosis played a major part in my recovery and I have decided to promote awareness. Before Dec. 16th I knew nothing about Peripartum Cardiomyopathy but I had the symptoms right before my delivery. I’ve already connected with some heart sisters in North Carolina who have given me recommendations for doctors and have also expressed interest in bringing about awareness of PPCM. I’m looking forward to whatever there is to come.
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