Every second is a bonus if you beat a disease that was almost eating up your entire life and left you near death. Well, life is hard at times but I would say that I am already abundantly blessed to have known the joy of living a good yet simpler life. All this time , I’ve learned to appreciate when something positive happens no matter how small it is because what matters most is you cherish what you have and not…..what you don’t have.
June 03, 2007 – Apart from the fact that I’m used to getting a balance diet and proper exercise, I got diagnosed with a disease that fewer people are having . After my first pregnancy, I felt tired all the time and grew more exhausted . That is why the diagnosis was so shocking that I don’t even realized that the disease developed rapidly. Before I found out, I often complain of being easily tired. At first I thought it was just a normal running out of breath but apparently that shortness of breath is getting progressively worse. I then understand that it’s definitely something else until I got fainted and I believed that I suffered a massive heart attack. But much larger part of me rejoiced when I realized I successfully survived a sudden death after that incident. Though a much smaller part of me felt sad because of what I’ve found out. My heart is weak and doesn’t pump normally anymore. I realized…I have a heart enlargement (Post-partum Cardiomyopathy), not just enlarged but all four walls were actually stretched. They said my heart was so weakened , but nevertheless it’s strong enough to no longer warrant an emergency transplant. And the greatest news is..I’m still alive up to now.And one good thing I don’t experience chest pain, although recovery time is a bit longer. I lose a few pounds and I need to gain a little of it again but I need to try to get more fish and vegies and eat meat a little less. The usual treatment involves taking medication and lifestyle changes are definitely mandatory. The whole treatment regimen is quite frustrating, you know when your being forced to lie down, sit and do nothing but somehow it’s the best way to progress.
FYI: Cardiomyopathy is a serious disease in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and doesn’t work as well as it should.
Having a big heart is not a good thing. It’s some sort of an inside look and a crash course into the mysterious world of heart failure. Wherein it’s incredibly frustrating and it felt like you couldn’t catch a break when your overwhelmed by the difficult situation you are immediately going to face with. Still I felt blessed because my health challenged forecast recovery is actually promising. It’s pretty much the way I have chosen to fight my health issues. In fact , I’ve learned a lot about life and still continuing to learn more. Somehow …it’s a battle worth fighting for.
1st 2d echo result
Interpretation:
=dilated left ventricular dimension with severe global hypokinesia and with evidence of both systolic and diastolic dysfunction.
=thickened mitral valve leaflet with low flow configuration and with evidence of mild mitral regurgitation.
Interpretation:
Compared to previous study
= improved wall motion in the basal segment of the inferior left ventricular free wall with corresponding slight increase in EF(Ejection Fraction) from 16% to 29%.
=decrease right atrial size from 41mm to 35mm
3rd 2d echo result
Interpretation:
= increase EF ( ejection fraction) from 29% to 46%
=diastolic dysfunction is no longer noted
