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New Doctors, New Hope!
Well, my initial visit to St Josephs Hospital in Phoenix is done..phew! The docs think I have pulmonary embolisms. Also my heart valve regurgitation has gotten worse and my right heart is enlarged. Awaiting insurance approval then back down to Phoenix for further testing and to make a plan. It was really worth the trip down to doctors who specialize in my problems and at a facility built just for that. I’ve had many tests up here but this tiny handheld ultra sound machine was so much more effective.
I’m grateful that I had a doctor up here that was humble enough to tell me he had helped me all he could and I needed more specialized treatment. I feel hopeful again!
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3 Replies
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Hi Donna,
Thank you for your update. I love hearing good news like this ! I am so glad that you have a doctor who is going to put you in the best hands and I’m glad that they were able to give you some answers on what you have been going through. I know that for me, getting answers from doctors really validates how I’m feeling and it helps me gain more knowledge about my condition. This makes me a better advocate for myself and for others. Have you always had a regurgitation in your valve? I was born with congenital heart disease and have tricuspid valve regurgitation and pulmonary valve regurg but both are mild to moderate so nothing is done. My heart has adapted over the years to “my normal” . Are you symptomatic with your heart valve getting worse? -
My major symptoms are shortness of breath and fatigue with chest pain. When the ultrasound behind my knees showed what indicated blood clots, he then said he wanted to see if I had regurgitation. I’m not sure if he had access to the original echo where it was found about 6 months ago or just a report of it. He found it substantial enough to call his PA over to see it. I was so much on information overload at that time that I don’t really have details yet.
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I completely understand the “information overload” . I always ask my doctors for a printed out follow up summary just so I have something to look at and show other doctors if they ask. I’m glad that they were able to see something though and hopefully you will be on the path to feeling better soon. Did they put you on any medications for the possible blood clots? Hoping you can see the specialists soon for this ! Thinking of you .
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