TERRI MCNAMARA

“Your just getting older”....these words echoed in my head.  I had heard them often from my loving husband and my family doctor.  Fortunately for me, I refused to believe it.  My name is Terri McNamara, and here is my story. 

I was born on August 4, 1950 in Cleveland, Ohio to a family of 4 brothers and 3 sisters.  Although small at birth 2 lbs, 6 ounces, I was tough as nails.  In a family of my size you had to be tough to survive.  In May of 1971,  I married my  high school sweetheart, Skip  and shortly after started a family, Melissa (28) and Daniel (25). 

 Up until   April  1999  I had  endured perfect health  with  a very active lifestyle.  I worked 50 hrs. a week at my job in Fire Protection,  took care of my family, worked out, attended college classes, and as a hobby cut hair on Saturdays.       Then I went for a  routine physical by  my primary care physician.  The doctor noticed a heart murmur on my aortic valve and   recommended an echo cardiogram.   After the echo, I saw my primary care physician for a follow up. The echo revealed  a bicuspid valve, rather than the normal  tricuspid  valve.  Apparently I was born with a congenital defect.  I was told that I would not need to have valve replacement surgery till I was well into my 70’s.  She did however, put me on zestril 5 milligrams  (beta blocker) since I had had  hypertension for the  last 8 years.  She advised me to have an echo done every year to monitor the condition of the valve.

 In October  of 1999, I noticed a shortness of breath along with fatigue during  my daily exercise routine.  I could feel my heart race in my neck.  I found myself  taking little breaks in-between exercises.  On  hikes with my husband, I found myself to be lagging behind, when normally  I had no problem keeping up.  I  chalked up  all of this to “old age”.  I was 49 years old. 

 Shortly after I started to have dizzy spells.  I often felt “woozy”  doing nothing.  The spells continued and I almost passed out on 3 different occasions.  During a visit to my primary care physician  for foot problems,  I mentioned the dizzy spells and  fatigue. Since I was a runner, she felt it could be related to my  diet.  She mentioned that I needed to supplement more protein into my diet.  She also stated that I “was just getting older”.

 In April of 2000 I went for my “routine” echo at the Cleveland Clinic.  I was contacted by the Clinic shortly after to come in and talk to the cardiologist to review my echo.   I had a funny feeling something was wrong.  When I arrived, he told me that I had a .7 opening   in the aortic valve and   stenosis (calcification) had increased.  The calcification  made it harder for the valve to function properly.  I was told I needed surgery soon, very soon.  The cardiologist  also   apologized for not  catching  the results of the first echo (1.0) back in April of 99.  He stated  that it “slipped by him”.   I told him I would get back with him on  when I would be available for surgery. 

 When I got home I called my sister-in-law who works at the Cleveland Clinic in the Intensive Care Unit.  She recommended that I contact Dr. Lytle at the clinic and have him perform  the surgery, which I did.  Dr. Lytle’s office hooked me up with  a different  cardiologist, Dr. Mills who would handle my case. 

 In the meantime, I got on the Cleveland Clinic web site, Forum section.  I read through all of the questions and answers listed under Aortic valve replacement.  I gathered all of the information I could on types of valves used to replace bad aortic valves.  This is where I found Hank’s website and joined. Hank’s group answered a lot of my questions on pre-op and post-op surgery.  The Cleveland Clinic also supplied a great deal of information related to the surgery.  All of this helped me make the most important decision of my life, the type of valve replacement that would work for me.

 After speaking to Dr. Mills, my cardiologist, about the surgery and  my choice of valve, I felt less anxious.  He was very  informative and listened  to my fears regarding the surgery.  The next step was to speak to the actual surgeon, Dr. Lytle. 

Dr. Lytle, was wonderful.  He reviewed my file thoroughly, then asked me whether or not I wanted to be on coumadin.  Since I had such an active lifestyle, I chose  not to  be on coumadin (blood thinner).  With this in mind,  we reviewed the types of valves (tissue) available which do not need the daily intake of coumadin. Dr. Lytle’s  experience in consideration of  my feelings, enabled  the two of  us to come to a  joint agreement on the type of valve best suited for me.    I chose to have a bovine valve (cow valve) replacement.

 The surgery went well on July 6, 2000. No complications at all.  I walk 4-5 miles a day at the present time (6 weeks post op now - 8/21/00), with no problem.  I have an occasional palpitation (paused beat is what I am told it is), and hopefully, it will become non-existent.  I was told to walk up and down stairs when it happens, activity stops it from occurring.  I feel real good .  I am increasing my activity level daily and hope to be back on track soon.  I even ran 1 mile yesterday, (8/20/00) during my 3 mile walk.   At my  6 week checkup  I  was told I could start aerobics and weights now if I want.   Life is good.

 People say I look great, the same as before I had surgery. However, there is  one small change.   I am the same, only “different”.  I now stop to smell the roses.  I am more indulgent to myself in a way that is not materialistic in matters of the heart.  I savor moments with my  family, friends and  loving  dog, Toby.  The good thing about heart valve surgery is it puts your life in perspective and I am grateful for that.