@ednahanvey what is so scary that would keep you from wanting to live a normal productive life

@ednahanvey It IS scary, no question about it! My quote is "Fear and Courage!" When I was reluctant to go through with the surgery, my home cardiologist said, "Your family will miss you." I thought it would make them angry if I did not do all I could to help myself, would they ever forgive me for that? I also wanted to set a good example of displaying courage in the face of a very scary event. Yikes! Open heart surgery! Choosing to have surgery at Mayo where the success rate is 99+% put my mind more at ease. I don't know your particular heart status and other concerns, we do not give advice but offer encouragement, please have a talk with a well-versed HCM cardiologist. Wishing you well in making the best decision for yourself and please remember that you may find you have more courage than you ever thought possible.

@ednahanvey i will be honest with you when my mayo cardiologist broke the news to me about HCM i was relieved to have finally have an answer to what i been dealing with for years!
But then he said surgery is the best thing for you considering ykur active life style! That set me back i was not ready to hear that at all, in fact i consider myself a pretty strong man and when he said that i teared up!
He knew that i was not ready for that starement so he said lets get you on camzyos to get you fewling better and stronger!
So i got on camzyos and started feeling much better with in the week and by a couple weeks i was on my bike slowly but i was on it!
After a few months of being on camzyos i realized it was gonna keep me from living the active life i desired!
I was already on this site and listening to all the stories really lifted me and inspired me to pursue the surgery!
Again im one person with one story but im so glad i did the surgery even with what i call a little set back withe sternum not fusing together!
I know the the help of the mayo it will be fixed so im excited to hear what the next step is gonna be!
Best of luck in ykur decisions:)

Hello @ednahanvey, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
It looks like you are new around here.
I am sorry that reading some of these stories is frightening to you. That is certainly not the reason we share our stories here on Connect. Far from it!
Connect is a warm and safe online community that people come to for information, sharing their story, and a place to learn from others who are on the same path. We are here to encourage each other, lift each other up and support each other.

Do you have HCM or HOCM?
Is that why you say you would never consent to open heart surgery?

Have you been evaluated for open heart surgery?
Just wondering because you mention that you "would have no hope of survival" and think to just "wait it out and enjoy the time I've got."

While considering open heart surgery is certainly a scary thought, others are here to prove that not only is it life changing, but life saving as well.

Sure. It's a lot to process, but so is having just about any surgery!
In the end, it is totally up to you to decide your course, after reviewing all your options and weighing the risks and benefits.

@walkinggirl and @brumasterj are fellow members with inspirational stories and both shared with you encouraging words. I echo their thoughts and hope that you are able to process the information here and discern the value and positivity rather than focusing on fear.
Fear is powerful. Fear can motivate.
In another post you mentioned having breast cancer. To me there is nothing scarier then hearing the "C" word! Yet you faced that like a champion and here you are!
Can you share what brings you to Connect and the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy group?