Heart Forever Changed

Between the 1940s and the 1960s,rheumatic fever was a leading causeof death in children. If they survived,there would most likely be some lastingdamage, particularly to the heart. This is Etta LaVinyas story of beingone of those children who, at age 5, wasdiagnosed with scarlet fever. Scarletfever is contracted first by a germ calledgroup A streptococcus, or strep throat. If scarlet fever isnt completely cured,then rheumatic fever develops. In the 1990s, Etta found out, whilegetting a checkup, that she had a mitralvalve prolapse (a heart valve that doesntclose properly) most likely caused byrheumatic fever. In 1965, Ettas parentswerent aware that she wasnt cured fromthe scarlet fever and had developedrheumatic fever. Her doctor informedher that the mitral valve prolapse wasntanything to worry about, but she wouldneed to take antibiotics before anydental procedures, or any other invasiveprocedures she underwent in thefuture to prevent her from contractingbacterial endocarditis. She followedthose instructions for years, and had noproblems until 2007. In the year 2000, Etta was married forthe first time. The marriage was a rockyand confusing union for her, and after5 years she realized she was married toan abusive man. During those years ofverbal, mental and emotional abusethe stress it caused is what Etta believeslanded her in the hospital in 2007fighting for her life. This is Etta LaVinyas story of survivinga very serious illness, two open heartsurgeries and more, brought on byextreme stress. She has written her storywith the hope that it will bring strengthand courage to those who may beexperiencing serious illness, open heartsurgery or domestic violence.