As told to Jacquelyne Froeber
Waking up from open-heart surgery, I faced the reality of my genetic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). HCM thickens the heart muscle, making it difficult to pump blood and putting me at high risk for sudden cardiac death – a fate that has taken six of my family members.
Despite the fear, I opted for surgery to protect my health. However, post-surgery, excruciating pain plagued me as the device was incorrectly placed in my chest. It took a year and a compassionate physician to correct the error, restoring my faith in my own experience.
But the challenges didn’t end there. Device recalls and a dangerous wire removal surgery tested my resilience. Emergency open-heart surgery followed, leaving me with physical and emotional scars. Yet, after a long recovery, I reclaimed my quality of life and now advocate for early cardiac screening through my nonprofit, Heartfelt.
Living with heart disease hasn’t stopped me from pursuing a fulfilling life. My journey serves as a reminder that knowledge, advocacy, and support can help navigate any health challenge.
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