How It All Started
Most people assume a life-changing medical event starts with something dramatic. Mine didn't. It started with what appeared to be a routine staph infection. At the time, I had no idea that infection would eventually lead to infective endocarditis, multiple damaged heart valves, open-heart surgery, and one of the hardest chapters of my life.
One moment everything feels normal. The next, your entire life changes.
Recovery Journal
When Things Started Getting Worse
The infection eventually entered my bloodstream. What followed was a series of symptoms that became increasingly difficult to ignore. Fatigue, chills, fevers, body aches, and a feeling that something was seriously wrong. Looking back, my body was trying to tell me something long before I understood the severity of the situation.
- Persistent fatigue
- Body aches and joint pain
- Chills and fever
- Night sweats
- Shortness of breath
- General feeling of being seriously ill
The Diagnosis: Infective Endocarditis
Doctors eventually discovered that the infection had reached my heart. The bacteria had attached themselves to my heart valves and were causing infective endocarditis. What I later learned is that endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart and heart valves. Left untreated, it can be fatal.
By the time the diagnosis was made, significant damage had already occurred. My heart valves had been affected, and the discussion quickly shifted from treating an infection to determining whether surgery would be necessary.
When Reality Set In
There comes a moment when you realize antibiotics alone may not be enough. I spent weeks in the hospital undergoing testing, imaging, consultations, and treatment. Eventually, the medical team determined that the damage to my valves was severe enough that open-heart surgery would be required.
Surgery wasn't the option I wanted. It was the option I needed.
Recovery Journal
The Importance of Family
During this time, my family became my strongest advocates. In particular, my brother played a critical role in pushing for the best possible care. When the situation became increasingly serious, he worked tirelessly to help arrange a transfer to the University of Miami Health System.
Getting to the Right Team
That transfer ultimately put me in the care of Dr. Juan Pablo Umaña and the cardiovascular team at the University of Miami. Looking back, it was one of the most important turning points in my entire journey. The expertise, confidence, and compassion of that team gave me hope during one of the most uncertain times of my life.
In the next post, I'll share the full story of how my brother helped make that transfer happen and why it ultimately changed the course of my recovery.
Lessons I've Learned
- Listen to your body when something feels wrong.
- Don't ignore infections.
- Advocate for your healthcare.
- Get a second opinion when necessary.
- The people around you matter more than you realize.
- Never take a healthy heartbeat for granted.
This was the beginning of the hardest chapter of my life, but it was also the beginning of a journey that taught me gratitude, resilience, and the incredible value of modern medicine. If sharing this story helps even one person recognize the signs earlier or seek help sooner, then it is worth telling.