6 years later....doing great!

So, it has been a long time since I have updated this blog (2 years, it seems!) and last weekend I went to the annual HCMA meeting.  It was the 8th anniversary of my first trip to New Jersey where I first had the opportunity to meet my Mayo doctors - Steve Ommen, my Mayo cardiologist, and Joe Dearani, my surgeon.  Up above you can see a picture of me with Dr. Dearani.  I had an opportunity to introduce both doctors before they spoke at the meeting, and it was a real pleasure for me to be in that position. 

Following my surgery, I decided to get more involved with the HCMA, because I really do believe that it made a HUGE difference in my own treatment and outcome.  First, I became a moderator on the internet message board.  Then, a year or so later, I joined the Board of Directors and two years ago, I became the Chairman (or Chairwoman!) of the Board.

I have been feeling great.  It is still a work in progress...Since the surgery I have required some re-programming of my implantable defibrillator having to do with the rate response settings, and some medication adjustments (adding diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker to my beta blocker), to make an even bigger difference, but it is like night and day from before the surgery.  I am so glad that I did it, and every day I am grateful for getting a second chance.

So, if you are still out there, write back and let me know.  I just managed to get back into the email address associated with this blog, but you can also reach me at Cynthia@4hcm.org.

Take care out there, and join with the HCMA to get the word out about HCM.

http://www.4hcm.org/