[judy]

I went to a nurse practitioner today who has been highly recommended. She did a really thorough discussion of my health history and examination.

My reason for going is because I don't have the energy I'm used to having. She discovered a heart murmur, which she said was a "leaky valve." She said they are common as you get older. I have to go for all kinds of cardiac tests, a blood test, and the usual gyn tests.

I am really nervous about the leaky valve. My mother had mitral stenosis, open heart surgery, and was very sick with rheumatic fever. I don't have anything like that, but I looked online - a big mistake! - and see a lot of talk about surgically replacing the valve.

I'm going to schedule the tests tomorrow. I hope I get an appointment right away. I want to know what's up.

I'm not sure I'm going to tell Jessie until I know more. I don't want her to panic.
If I get too nervous though, I will tell her.

I have always been amazingly healthy, and have no idea what it is to be anything but strong and healthy. I used to have terrible headaches, but they weren't known to cause any other damage but pain.