Coping With Mitral Regurgitation

Shortly after turning 64 I began to feel tired at about 2pm each day and my general stamina seemed diminished in some way. I had a check up without any specific problem noted and just chalked it up to getting older. Then I had a series bad days that I thought was due to a virus. My doctor was gone for the weekend so with fever of 102 I went to the hospital. They took blood, did some tests and gave me Tylenol (I had never taken any before) and I felt fine and insisted on leaving to go home.

On Monday morning my Doctor called at 6am and told me to return to the Hospital. I had a bacterial infection (arden streptococcus) that was on my mitral valve. It took 6weeks of antibiotics to kill the bacteria. One week at the hospital and five weeks at home and seeing infectious disease doctors with “pick line” self administered drugs. After I recovered I had to have a titanium hart valve installed (St. Jude) by Dr. Ruhl at the Tex Heart Center at St. Lukes hospital in Houston, TX. I think he saved my life and I’m grateful to everyone at St. Lukes - a great hospital. I have to say, however, I have never fully regained my old stamina and have had bouts of dizzyness and lighheadness. I also think that my memory declined to some degree. I am very careful now regarding oral health and general hygine - washing hands etc.