Carey’s Journey: From Skeptic to Heart Health Advocate

At 62, Carey considered herself healthy. She didn’t live a sedentary lifestyle, was active and ate well. Working in a garage, she spent her days lifting heavy objects among other things. She never really had a reason to see a doctor and didn’t have a primary care provider.

Things began to change in February 2024. While moving tires at work, Carey felt unusually weak and exhausted. No matter how much she rested, she couldn’t shake the overwhelming fatigue she felt. She wanted to sleep all the time. Her family insisted she see a doctor, and although she was hesitant, she agreed.

Carey met with Stacy Manski, PA-C, at Bronson Primary Care Partners in Portage who realized something was wrong with her heart and referred Carey to a cardiologist at Bronson Advanced Cardiac Healthcare right away. The diagnosis? A heart murmur. Carey wasn’t even aware she had one. First, she had a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and then a heart catheterization to get a clearer picture. A surgeon was going to have to repair or replace a major valve. Surgery was scheduled for the following week on February 24, 2024.

The day before her surgery, Carey met cardiovascular surgeon, Dr. Parth Amin. Carey felt at ease with him because of his kindness and personable nature. Surgery was successful; Dr. Amin was able to repair her heart valve. After two days in the hospital, Carey went home, where she received follow-up care through Bronson at Home. Nurses checked in on her for two weeks, monitoring her vitals and making sure she was healing properly. Dr. Amin personally called her many times to check on her progress. That level of care meant everything.

Carey noticed an immediate difference. Before the surgery, she had been napping constantly, struggling to keep up with daily life. Afterward, her energy came rushing back, and she felt like herself again.

Following surgery, Carey met with Amy Griswold, DNP, at Bronson Cardiothoracic Surgery Specialists in Kalamazoo. Her warmth and attentiveness make every visit a good one. She now visits her primary care doctor regularly and sees cardiologist, Dr. Chris Ombrello annually for checkups. When she comes in for her cardiac appointments, she loves seeing everyone in the office. 

Today, Carey feels great and stays on top of her health. While she once avoided doctors, she now knows the importance of regular checkups. With her heart in good hands and her energy back, she’s living life fully and is grateful for the care that she received at Bronson.