My name is Lizzy and I'm a Patient Care Technician at UW Medical Center on a Cardiac and Internal Medicine unit, but I have a story of my own.
At the height of the pandemic (summer of 2020) I started feeling short of breath and chest pain. I thought it was COVID. It got so bad that I couldn't even finish a sentence without catching my breath. After my swab and a negative test result, I knew something still wasn't right. Maybe my lungs? I went to urgent care and within moments of listening the to my chest, they hooked me up to an EKG. After more testing and imaging, I found out that I had a severe abnormal arrhythmia with over 40% burden. Over the next 4 months, my symptoms worsened and the doctors threw all the meds they could at me, with little to no effect and lots of side effects. Eventually they scheduled me for a cardiac catheter ablation. 2 days after Christmas I had my procedure. I immediately felt relief and was feeling stronger.
It didn't last though. By April, I had my symptoms returning; the weakness, the chest pain, and the shortness of breath. After wearing a monitor for 7 days, they let me know that my rhythm was only at 1% burden, which is normal in adults. As I continued to live my life, the symptoms worsened. I didn't want to be sick again. Eventually, I went back to the doctor, and by October, the arrhythmia was up to 13%. The doctors wanted to try more meds to manage the problem, but again, with little to no relief and more side effects. They again recommended another ablation, but with the pandemic and my symptoms, I was unable to work enough to qualify for health insurance. The bill for the first procedure was over $75,000, so I couldn't do it without insurance.
Over the next year, I struggled to find somewhere where I could work enough without tiring or hurting too much, and qualify for insurance. I finally found a place, and I got my second ablation in January of 2023 (please enjoy my pre-op photo which is my profile picture), where my arrhythmia was up to 26% burden. I have since had no more symptoms or issues.
It was one year after that that I was able to go to school to work toward my dream of going into healthcare. I got my CNA, and got my job as a PCT at UW Medical Centers. I have now worked there for over two years helping others who have had similar experiences as me. I understand how difficult and taxing health struggles are and it has inspired me to do more.
The American Heart Association is something that I truly believe in. I know that with your donation, you can help others like me live fuller, longer lives. If you want to take it a step further, please consider joining our walk team, the 6NE Care Bears!