Heart failure

My name is Alexander Gradilla and I am currently awaiting a Heart Transplant as I was diagnosed with Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy. Meaning that my Left Atrium of my heart is enlarged and doesn't have the strength to pump enough blood throughout my organs, legs and back to your brain. It all started February 4th as I was walking to work from the employee parking lot as I walked about 100 feet I felt shortness of breath and abdominal pain. Continued to walk to work and finally once I walked through the doors, the pain was unbearable. Didn't really think much of the pain, as I just continued my day it happened again walking back to the car. Same symptoms continued to go on as it only got worse and I wasn't able to sleep at night due to shortness of breath. February 9th I finally decided to the emergency room with a misdiagnosed of Gall Bladder and discharged. February 10th, I went in for the second time to the same Emergency Room at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage for serious abdominal pain. I was admitted and after being misdiagnosed again with Gall Bladder, possible Hepatitis and blacking out finally February 13th a EKG was performed and was able to see that my heart wasn't an average heart. Many test were performed and after the last of the Angiograph, my final diagnoses was released that I had Heart Failure. I spent a total of 5 days at the first hospital, discharged with medication.

February 18th I was rushed from the ambulance, as I was in bed and woke up not able to catch my breath. Once I arrived to the nearest hospital in Indio, Test and X-rays were done and I was admitted due to Pulmonary Embolism and possible Pneumonia. I was put into a Regular room for about 2 days and then Transferred to ICU as I was only getting worse and unstable. Luckily a nurse that worked in ICU had Cardiology experience and knew the medication that I needed for my condition. At the time they were trying to transfer me out to a Hospital with much more knowledge and transplants. Waited days for a response from the first choice hospital but it was taking too long and the second choice accepted me within hours and wanted me the next day. February 26th at 4am I was on my way to Keck Hospital at USC in an ambulance that had to be the worse ride knowing how uncomfortable the bed and ride was from the first. The first 48 hours were the most busiest hours of my Journey due to all the test that were performed and a 3 and a half hour MRI. Days passed and I was being treated and tests were being performed to be eligible on the transplant list. March 10th after almost waiting for all results were viewed, my official letter was given to me that I was officially listed for a Heart Transplant. As my experience continues to await a transplant my health tends to fluctuate from stable to unstable. My current status is my heart is way too enlarged and I have maxed out on some medications that I am currently receiving through a Swan Ganz Catheter. The Catheter is changed out every 10 days to prevent any infections that will possibly remove me from the list. I am also currently suffering severe adema on my lower body from the left not pumping enough blood throughout the whole body.