About a month ago I began to feel really sick and tired all the time. But as per usual I started to blame it on wedding stress. However, it continued to get worse. Four weeks ago I was throwing up every day. My body couldn't keep a single thing down. It was awful. I hurt so bad, and couldn't explain exactly why. People continued to ask me questions about the wedding and I couldn't answer them because my thoughts were lost. My body actually would not think. My memory started fading and all I wanted to do was sleep all day in a little ball. On June 26th I was at my new place where my now husband was already living, and I felt a stabbing pain in my back... I couldn't move. (this was the second time this happened). Jordan had had enough of me feeling like this. And called my mom... and took me to urgent care. They did an x-ray of my chest and saw that my heart looked like it was enlarged, and advised me to go to my doctor first thing the next day. I did. My doctor ordered me a CT scan at LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City that afternoon. He also took more blood from me, but my veins were beginning to not show in my arms so it hurt badly. That afternoon my PCP called me after my CT scan while I was still at the hospital. He told me that my heart did not look good and I should admit myself to the ER right away. Both of my parents and Jordan were there to help admit me. The doctor in the ER was confident I'd be out in a couple of hours because I was so young. However, a few hours later they had done an ecocardiogram, and the news was not good. I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and would be admitted to Intermountatin Medical Center in Murray, Utah. By this point when he gave us the news Jordan's parents were there too. My dad, Jordan, and my Father-in-law all gave me a priesthood blessing, and I am CONFIDENT if not for that blessing I wouldn't have the faith to keep going every day.
It was around 12am or later before we finally left LDS hospital (doctors had to talk to doctors and nurses to nurses). We journeyed over to IMC and when we got there they put me in a room and a hospital gown. A week before I was to marry Jordan I was sitting in the hospital not knowing what was going on. they kept me talking and continued to listen to how I was breathing. The ecocardiogram showed them that I had fluid built up around my heart. My tricuspid and mitral valve had regurgitation (blood is flowing back into my heart instead of it all going out). My heart is pumping at about 18% (a normal heart pumps at 50-70%.) Because of this my heart is pumping faster. A normal heart rate is 60-70 resting... mine most of the time is 90-100 resting or higher... so I can exercise and my heart rate will bounce up to 140. It's really scary at times. So, I was now a patient in the hospital. I have congestive heart failure.... that's not something you hear a 29 year old female having. The next morning I was scheduled for a MRI... they are not joking when they ask if you are claustrophobic... those things be scary! I would have to take deep breaths as they told me... I was very grateful for my days as a trumpet player... I was also grateful I wasn't as bad off as other people they had going in there... I could stand up and down on my own, and I only got wheeled in a wheelchair...Also, I should add... when I was admitted to the hospital I was pale white! They immediately gave me lasix (which is basically a drug that makes you pee... ALL THE TIME!) The next day I was looking better... especially after my MRI and when I finally had real food for the first time in a couple of weeks. I also started meeting doctors and many people that would be there to help me. My doctor Dr. Afshar has been amazing and I am so grateful for him, and the knowledge he has.
The next day they ordered me to have an angiogram ( they stick a tube through the artery in your neck on the right side and in your right wrist) it stings. I was familiar with this test because my mom had previously had it done. I didn't want bruises cause I was so concerned about my wedding. Oh, I should also make it known that EVERYONE KNEW I WAS GETTING MARRIED. It was on my chart! :) In the angiogram my arteries showed that they were clear as day! I get that from my momma :)! Thank goodness too because otherwise I would have been moved and prepped for immediate surgery. I'm glad that didn't happen.
Again by the time that was done I got to eat! Let's just say the meals at the hospital in the cardiac department ARE AMAZING! I was drilled on this thing called MAWDS it's their system to help cardiac patients stay on track it stands for Medication, Activity, Weight, Diet, Symptoms.... I finally got discharged on Friday, July 1st! With 4 different medications and the advisement to call my PCP and let him know everything and to get a birth control shot. I mean... I was getting married in a week!
So, my life now... well, let's start with that week after... On Tuesday, July 5th I saw my PCP and let him know everything. Also, that day my BFF came to town. Everyone was helping me get ready for the wedding and I am so grateful for that! Wednesday, July 6th... I woke up to find out my sister-in-laws brother had passed away... My thoughts and prayers are with them every day. Also, Wednesday I went to get my nails done with Shelby... I nearly passed out at the end cause my heart rate shot up and my potassium levels went down... luckily it was at walmart and they immediately got bananas and had some water for me to sip. They also helped slow my hear rate... My mom says I had a real Shelby from Steel Magnolias moment. I was terrified. I still am. I was supposed to have a bachelorette party that night. I had to cancel it cause I couldn't go out.
So, let's back track a little bit. Every night I was in the hospital Jordan slept there... he could not leave my side (it was adorable). And every morning my dad came to help me through the day. on my last night there Jordan needed to go to the temple ( he badly needed it). So, he went. And my sister Jeane stayed with me... Since it was almost July we decided to watch 1776... Let's also add that the next day I was antsy to get out of there!
I am so grateful! Okay, back to wedding week! Day of wedding was gloroius! My Dad gave me an amazing blessing. See, right now I can't have kids cause it would put WAY too much strain on my heart. But he blessed me that one day I would be able to.
