 |
| May 2021 - Life is good! |
Carrie was born with BAV, but she did not know this until she volunteered to be a guinea pig for a new echocardiogram machine in the early 1990's. There it was - a two-leaflet aortic valve! The next year, after her sister's diagnosis included not just BAV but an ascending aortic aneurysm, Carrie had another echo which showed that her ascending aorta was enlarged also.
Carrie already had begun her heart journey with the implantation of her first pacemaker in 1989, when she was only 29 years old. In the following years, her pacemaker journey alone has required multiple interventions due to infection, broken pacing leads, and device upgrades. In 2014, open heart surgery was required to address complications caused by pacemaker leads! Carrie had developed Superior Vena Cava (SVC) syndrome, which is obstruction of the blood flow though the superior vena cava. The cause was old pacemaker leads located there and scarring that had developed in this blood vessel over time. During surgery, Carrie's own pericardial tissue was used to enlarge her right atrium and patch her superior vena cava, and the abandoned pacemaker leads were removed.
Here, we focus especially on the most recent five years of Carrie's journey, from 2016 to the present. Carrie began experiencing chest pain/discomfort that year, causing her to seek out the expertise of the Cleveland Clinic. The remainder of this post are are in Carrie's voice, with paragraph captions added.
October 28, 2016 - Chest Pain Prompts a Visit to Cleveland
So off I went for evaluation at Cleveland Clinic. I flew to Chicago where my little sister, Theresa, picked me up. We then took an all-day road trip to Ohio. We spent several days there. I had an echocardiogram, a CT, labs and EKG. Once all the tests were completed we met with a cardiologist as well as Dr. Eric Roselli, a cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Roselli viewed the CT result with us, where we were able to view the actual scan. My aorta was stable and they all felt that it was reasonable for me to continue on with the watch and wait approach. The chest pain issue was still unsolved so I just had to back off on my running and switch to walking.
March 2019 - Diving Competition, Bee Sting and Breast Cancer
During a dock diving competition where my little dachshund was competing I was stung by a bee on my left wrist. Initially the sting was painful but I continued on with the day just feeling tired. Then I developed a large localized reaction which spread up past my elbow. After seeing my primary care provider he instructed me that if the redness continued going up my arm that I should go to the ER. I did end up going to the Emergency Room where I was given appropriate medications and steroids. The “cellulitis” finally resolved. It was also deemed that I am allergic to bee venom.
 |
| Bee sting reaction! |
I was watching a nightly national news program one evening
and they aired a segment about women with fibrous breast tissue should be
screened with 3D mammography. After
seeing this and knowing my mother passed away after a battle with metastatic
triple negative breast cancer…I called my PCP and asked if he would order this
mammogram for me.
The biopsy was done on May 2nd. Four days later, I got the call…You have
cancer! My knees buckled and I felt sick
and so frightened. I got my wits
together and went out to where my husband was working in our yard. It was all so surreal. Right up there with when I found out I had a
brain aneurysm. All of the results came
back, and I indeed had the same cancer that my mother had. Triple negative breast cancer.
Cancer Surgery and Chemo
There were many appointments and consultations, then finally
I had surgery to remove both breasts June 24, 2019. I spent a few days in the hospital and had
the support of my husband, Vic, my sister Theresa and several of my dearest
friends. I actually felt pretty well and
was optimistic as no cancer was found in my lymph nodes and the tumor wasn’t
too large. But it was still considered a
high grade tumor and I had to be scheduled for 16 weeks of chemotherapy. Prior
to this I had to have a pre-chemo echo…where everything appeared stable.
After discussing everything with my oncologist and surgeon they agreed that I could take the RV trip we planned to our favorite park on the Metolius River in Oregon. I was very grateful for this time to reflect and be with my husband and my sister by heart, Judi and her husband Greg. We were also joined by two more dear friends one of which was a retired nurse. I was in good hands and I felt the trip to be restorative.
 |
| January 2020 - Last chemo treatment |
I was pretty much exhausted most of the time but pushed
myself to walk my dogs as much as possible.
In October I had another echo, and my cardiologist told my aortic valve was
now mildly stenotic. Fast forward to
December and the aortic valve showed moderate stenosis. I became more fatigued and short of breath
and even after chemo ended in January of 2020 I still could not regain my
stamina. My cardiologist recommend that
I work out but I could barely climb a flight of stairs.
One day in August, my husband and I were driving down our
road and stopped in to see our relatives that were out in their yard. This was one of those divine intervention
moments. You see, this family member also has severe aortic stenosis! Two of us, living on the same road, with the same
problem. We talked for a while, and she
told me that she had become discouraged with her local cardiologists and finally
went to UC Davis in Sacramento, where she felt she receives superior
attention. I told her that I was also
frustrated with my care and that my cardiologist of many years was set to
retire. I asked her to get me some
contact information the next time she went.
A few days later she stopped by with the TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement) Nurse coordinator’s card
and said “she knows you”! I looked at
the name on the card and couldn’t believe that it was someone I used to work with in a cardiology office where I worked for many years. She actually helped train me in pacemaker and
ICD follow up….and we even had golfed together! She was expecting my call! I felt so relieved and thankful!
 |
| Carrie's aorta 2016 at Cleveland Clinic |
Today, I feel very well! I was finally able to have my breast reconstructive surgery… also at UC Davis. In fact, I have transferred all of my care to UCD. My care has been amazing! Yes the past few years have been a challenge…as they have for all…but again, I would not change a thing.
Feeling blessed in the face of adversity is truly a gift…and
I will always be thankful for the bee and the cow that helped save my life!
Carrie has been with us at BAF since our beginning days,
and it is our privilege to walk with her always.
Thank you, Carrie,
for once again sharing your courage and strength with the world,
and through each experience,
Creating a Climate of Hope
~Arlys Velebir
Bicuspid Aortic Foundation
Also see Carrie Mettler - A Wonderful Athlete with BAV and
