After seeing doctors and taking medications for "nerves," rapid heartbeats, irregular heartbeats, and hypertension for more than 42 years, my doctor found that I had a hole in the backside of the heart that had escaped the view of echocardiograms and other tests. They found it during a "TEE" to investigate the cause of high blood pressure in my lungs and continued enlargement of the right side of my heart.

For many years, I could feel every heartbeat every minute of every day and night. I would feel weak at times. When I climbed stairs, my heart would pound. I could not lie on my left side or back because it would make my heart “floppy" when it beat. Doctors prescribed different medications that usually made me feel tired and sluggish.

I was told of my condition and that there was a "device" that had just been approved for use in the United States that could be used to take care of the "hole." I chose to try it. It turned out to be my miracle! God's timing was perfect. My Amplatzer device was implanted February 7, 2002, at Riley Children's Hospital, in Indianapolis, Indiana. It has finally set me free!!! Thanks to my doctor, I didn't have to go through open heart surgery.

It has made a tremendous difference. The right side of my heart is almost normal now. I no longer can feel every heartbeat, I don't feel breathless anymore, and I can lie on my left side and my back when I sleep. My remaining medications are minimal.

I was 63 years old when the procedure was done. I am now 68 years old, still employed as an administrative assistant for a book publisher, and doing fine.

– Dotti