Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2013 21:47:59 GMT 1
She's finally spoken:
I have lived with Dilated Cardiomyopathy for 10 years now. Caused by a flu virus, the doctors were positive that I'd need a new heart by now, and in 2004 my future looked very dark and uncertian. Here is my story....
October 2003, 10 years ago, was the worst time of my life. I was a normal 18 year old girl, partying, working and generally living life. I just wish I could of shook that flu off! It was so annoying, it lasted longer than the normal flu, it zapped my energy, left me tired, breathless and very unwell. This carried on for 3 months until one day, 20th January 2004 to be exact. Late for work again because a simple thing like brushing my teeth, having a bath, took so much energy and time. To cut a very long story short, one of my friends seen how breathless I was, and I was rushed to hospital. I thought everyone was over reacting a bit, but when the ambulance switched its blue lights on, suddenly it became very real and serious. Tests showed that my heart was enlarged. Further tests showed that my left ventricle had been damaged. This meant nothing at all to me! But I was soon on coronary care, and all I knew was that my heart wasn't right.
I was soon told that my flu virus had attacked my left ventricle of my heart, the full title they gave it at the time was "severe dilated cardiomyopathy". It would never ever cure its self. Only drugs would make it stable, but it seemed unlikely, as the consultant himself said it was the "worst heart in the north east right now" and "another few days living like this and you'd of not been here". The only thing to do was a heart transplant. I went to see the heart transplant surgeon. His words still ring in my ears today. "I'm the top surgeon in the country and I'm telling you, you'll need a transplant by the end of 2004, you won't get another one and they only last 10 years".
I needed a heart transplant because I got a flu? Heart failure at 18? And now he's telling me I'm going to die at 28?
Determined to prove this "top surgeon" wrong, I took my medicine and stayed positive that they would make me better. They did and I managed to stay stable for 8 years.
In January 2011, I had a stroke. This was caused by my heart condition. It didn't leave me with any lasting serious effects.
In 2014, I will be getting a pacemaker/defibrillator and my story will keep continuing until I need a new heart.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. It affects people of all ages and is mostly inherited. It is not curable but can be treated and monitored.
Cardiomyopathy Association is a charity that provides information and support to the families affected by the heart muscle disease Cardiomyopathy.
Together, we're fighting heart muscle disease!
I have lived with Dilated Cardiomyopathy for 10 years now. Caused by a flu virus, the doctors were positive that I'd need a new heart by now, and in 2004 my future looked very dark and uncertian. Here is my story....
October 2003, 10 years ago, was the worst time of my life. I was a normal 18 year old girl, partying, working and generally living life. I just wish I could of shook that flu off! It was so annoying, it lasted longer than the normal flu, it zapped my energy, left me tired, breathless and very unwell. This carried on for 3 months until one day, 20th January 2004 to be exact. Late for work again because a simple thing like brushing my teeth, having a bath, took so much energy and time. To cut a very long story short, one of my friends seen how breathless I was, and I was rushed to hospital. I thought everyone was over reacting a bit, but when the ambulance switched its blue lights on, suddenly it became very real and serious. Tests showed that my heart was enlarged. Further tests showed that my left ventricle had been damaged. This meant nothing at all to me! But I was soon on coronary care, and all I knew was that my heart wasn't right.
I was soon told that my flu virus had attacked my left ventricle of my heart, the full title they gave it at the time was "severe dilated cardiomyopathy". It would never ever cure its self. Only drugs would make it stable, but it seemed unlikely, as the consultant himself said it was the "worst heart in the north east right now" and "another few days living like this and you'd of not been here". The only thing to do was a heart transplant. I went to see the heart transplant surgeon. His words still ring in my ears today. "I'm the top surgeon in the country and I'm telling you, you'll need a transplant by the end of 2004, you won't get another one and they only last 10 years".
I needed a heart transplant because I got a flu? Heart failure at 18? And now he's telling me I'm going to die at 28?
Determined to prove this "top surgeon" wrong, I took my medicine and stayed positive that they would make me better. They did and I managed to stay stable for 8 years.
In January 2011, I had a stroke. This was caused by my heart condition. It didn't leave me with any lasting serious effects.
In 2014, I will be getting a pacemaker/defibrillator and my story will keep continuing until I need a new heart.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle. It affects people of all ages and is mostly inherited. It is not curable but can be treated and monitored.
Cardiomyopathy Association is a charity that provides information and support to the families affected by the heart muscle disease Cardiomyopathy.
Together, we're fighting heart muscle disease!
