At 17, I became pregnant and married Jim and we have been married for almost 25 years now and have 3 children. JP, who is now a chemist for Johnson and Johnson. Adam, who is an electrician. Our youngest Sarah will graduate from high school next year.
I always said when my youngest child started school full time I would go back to school and become a nurse. I did that and became an RN in 1992. I worked as an emergency room nurse and loved my job so much. In March of 1993 I woke up one morning "just not feeling well." Couldn't put my finger on it but knew something was wrong. I went to the doctors and he said he found nothing but since I had pneumonia last year this time he would treat me for that... I had some shortness of breath.I went to the doctors and he said he found nothing but since I had pneumonia last year this time he would treat me for that... I had some shortness of breath. I went home took the medicine and fell asleep. I woke up feeling worse. They sent me to the emergency room where I worked and found nothing. I was in and out of the hospital for next month, progressively getting worse. One day as I was being release from the hospital the doc said before you leave I want to do a stress thallium on you.I failed it and was in ICU in seconds... before I knew it I was being transferred to another hospital for a cardiac cath. That failed and finally my EKG changed and I was having a heart attack. I had a one vessel bypass surgery and was allowed to go home on the third day post surgery. (I wanted to go home.) [p[ I felt so much better... I did not smoke and was healing from the incision. On the third day I woke up and "Something was not right" My docs said I was fine.I went to my internal medicine doc and told her that my cardiologist wasn't listening to me but "Something is wrong" she sent me back to rehab to document things. Well my EKG was changing and they finally told me not to come back. I had been calling and seeing my cardiologist many many times. My hubby came home and when I told him what happened, he went to the cardiologist office and demanded they see me and do something.I went to them and they "bet their practice" that there was nothing wrong with me, but would do another stress thallium in the morning. well to make a long story short.. the test showed that my artery clogged back up!! NO they did not give me their practice. heheheh
They put me in the hospital and tried another cath. In the meanwhile, I had found a new cardiologist and was waiting for my appointment downtown Houston. My hubby had taken the new cardiologist, Dr.Solomon my video of both my caths.I was sent home to make a decision whether to do another bypass. In the meanwhile I had severe chest pains and called Dr. Solomon, who had not seen me yet and he wanted to meet me in the ER. He told me that he thought he could fix me with the newest thangs they had at Texas Heart Institute. Dr. Solomon tried and tried but was not able to open that clogged artery. My chest pains were getting worse and worried about another heart attack, I had my second open heart surgery in 2 months.This time the surgeon "roofed topped" my artery, which means he made it much bigger. Dr. Solomon didn't care what I said, he would not let me go home for 2 weeks. He said "no good doc in his right mind would let a open heart surgery patient go home on the third day." My incisions all dehissed -.which means they opened up, and I had large open wounds that I had to pour peroxide in. But I felt so wonderful.
FINALLY GOT FIXED!!Three months down the road, I woke up "not feeling right" that "something was wrong." I called Dr. Solomon and he, unlike the first cardiologist, wanted to see me right away. Dr. Solomon knew of my family history. My dad and all 6 of his brothers all had bypasses by the time they were 40. Dr. Solomon did a stress thallium and seen that this time I CLOSED up again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was not having chest pain but was very very discouraged...I couldn't work and didn't know what was next. I was put on oxygen at home and lots of medications. I was doing lots of research and found out they were doing experimental stuff by putting laser holes in the heart to help feed the heart of oxygen. I was enrolled in that program and was the youngest person to be in it. (This procedure is being done all the time now.) This worked wonderful.... About 6 months later...I woke up and guess what?.....I felt as though "Something was wrong again" Not only did My laser holes had closed up, but another artery was closed also. My history of closing... the option of a transplant was mentioned. I refused this cause I was rejecting my own arteries and surely I would reject someone elses heart.
I was treated with medication and had no life at all. Sitting on the couch with oxygen and gaining weight. I was on permanent disability. This was about the time my oldest sister, Joann needed a double bypass also. You can't avoid those bad family genes. I began to have trouble again and found out that another artery was closing up. Dr. Solomon, who saved my life, by believing me each time I old him, "something was wrong" did a cath and then tried to use the rotor rooter on this newest clogged artery. It did not work. All I remember is waking up screaming in pain. Everyone running around frantically. I had gotten a blood clot in my leg and had to go back into surgery. In my mind, I thought they were going to remove my leg. I remember screaming in pain and yelling I DO NOT GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO TAKE MY LEG. I WILL SUE YOU IF YOU DO.[p[ They did not have to take my leg. To date, I have two completely clogged arteries, the LAD and circumflex. Doctors tell me the only reason why I am alive is that I have wonderful collaterals that feed my heart. I have a two stents in my RCA and my Left Main Artery. I keep closing up more as months roll by. I am so grateful for Dr. Solomon and my Hubby, Jim. Theses two men are my heroes in my life.
