Hi All,
Am new to this forum and have just read through this thread. At the end of August last year, my PCP made me go to get an echo done. I was 5 months pregnant and was suffering debilitating joint pain, fevers that were undetected by me (it was summer, I was pregnant) and other symptoms that I had chalked up to having a rough pregnancy. I was born with an aortic stenosis that had never been a problem and always did the prophylaxis before dental appointments, etc. etc.
Sure enough the next day, the echo tech (who had actually done my echo during my first pregnancy three years prior) summoned a few doctors and before I knew it my blood was being drawn for cultures. They told me that I should expect to head into the hospital the next day, that a team of people--cardiologists, maternal fetal medicine doctors and infectious disease doctors--would be ready to take my case. My cardiologist was flying to Germany and viewed the echo at 30,000', he knew everyone involved and stayed on the case with them.
Bacterial endocarditis was diagnosed, the bacteria identified as a strep-type that probably entered my mouth. Had I been to the dentist? Yes, in April though I took my usual dose of Amoxicillin. Did I use drugs? Nope. Travel? Traumatic cut? Nope. I spent three weeks in the hospital, they had to maintain the right dosing to help me yet not harm my otherwise growing baby. At first I had Vancomycin, then a combo of Ceftriaxone and one other antibiotic that I can't remember.
I was sent home with shot veins from IVs that only lasted two days or so and a PICC line (had one inserted then removed, nearly passed out when the second was inserted) and continued that therapy for two weeks until I went into premature labor. At 30 weeks on October 4th, my son was born at 3lb. 5oz. via c-section and would spend the next 66 days in the NICU. A week later to the day, I had my aortic valve replaced (On-X), my mitral valve shored up with a collar (?) and a previously undetected hole in my heart repaired. My tenth wedding anniversary was two days later, not much of a celebration in a hospital room. A week later, on October 18th, came home. In November I turned 39.
I have had many friends and family supporting me & my family with visits, food and even a home visit by my hairstylist. Having a husband and three year-old at home complicated matters and led to PTSD for me which I am trying to deal with to this day. Zoloft and therapy are helping, all of the doctors took care to help with my mental health. My son is quite healthy given the circumstances. I have not been working since August and am set to go back at the beginning of February.
My recovery has been going well, though I still have lingering symptoms like clubby fingers (my O2 has always checked out fine) and little nail splinters, though it seems like the white spots I have always had in my nails have subsided some. My hope is that since I am only three months out of surgery, these will eventually go away? I have been clear from infection since September when I went home from the hospital the first time.
Still to this day, I have no answer. It has left me feeling vulnerable, to say the least. Some days are much better than others as we are doing what we can to get back to normal. I am glad for this website and the chance to connect with others. I wish you all continued health!
