It is so incredible really that so many of us seem to have the same experience of being misdiagnosed for years! I am so glad to hear you are feeling better now. For me that awful shortness of breath on the least amount of exertion, the tachycardia and head rushes just tying my shoes...it all disappeared right after surgery. It's no wonder you don't have much stamina...you just went through open heart surgery!!! It will take some time to get that back. One day at a time. I would guess that you also had blood loss anemia...that takes time to recover and will make you super tired besides everything else you are going through. Sounds like you are a champ! You are active and the hard part is behind you. I think the decision to go forward with open heart surgery is the hardest part of this whole deal. Once you make the decision, things just fall into place. I hope you never get atrial fib again too! Sounds freakishly scary! When do you see the cardiologist next? Did you write down any questions for him/her for next visit?