PET Test

Sometimes life gives us a good look at mortality. Sometimes it stares us straight in the eyes. And as much as we like to think we are invincible, we just simply aren't.

My heart has been giving me a bit of a scare lately. Just not acting normal. As much as I tried to ignore the irregular beats and palpitations, they've only gotten worse over the years. I finally went to see a cardiologist. I was the youngest person sitting in the waiting room. Probably the only one still nursing a baby (yes, I should have weaned him a few months ago, I have no excuses).

The doctor listened to my heart, said, yah, I hear something. But don't worry. You are super active and in very good weight. But let's be sure and do one of those ultrasounds, called an echo cardiogram.

After, the doctor came in and said, "this is bad."

Not really the words you want to hear from a doctor. A cardiologist.

He said what he saw was something he would typically see on a person that was 80 years old and super overweight. Yes, I am paraphrasing. He probably used more technical terms.

So I wore a monitor for 48 hours to really see more of what was going on. And the results?

Worse then what they thought.

I have a leaky heart. It is called "moderate mitral valve regurgitation". Most likely I was born with it. A surgery would fix the problem. They still need to run a few tests to be sure of the diagnosis. I have to go in this Friday for what is called a PET test. It is similar to a stress test, you get injected with a bunch of medications that speed up your heart and they watch to see how your heart reacts. I guess it costs somewhere around $22,000 just for the simple test. Good thing for health insurance. Hopefully it's covered.


Do they know I swim for over an hour 3 times a week? And I walk 2 1/2 miles a day? I've never been overweight in my life? Oh, and I have 6 children all under the age of 12? I am not supposed to have this happening to me.

If I end of having to have the surgery, it is a very common surgery. The doctors do it all the time. It is not a big deal for them. However for me, I would not be able to lift more then 5 pounds for 2 months. Probably a 2 week hospital stay. Kind of scary. It is full blown open heart surgery. 

I will get one of those nice zipper scars on my chest. A conversation piece.

After the PET test they will know more and will schedule me at the hospital to go in with cameras to get a better look at my heart. From there we will know more. But until then, I'm a little nervous. Everything will be fine, the unknown is what gets me. And I have great family and friends near, so in the event that I do have to have this major surgery, I have support.

Anyone want to take on 6 kids for 2 months? That alone is pretty scary.

Hopefully when they go in for the scope they will find all the tests performed so far have been wrong and really my heart is a nice healthy one. That I've made this all up.

So if you think about it, please offer me a prayer. I could use it right now.