Actress Has Life-Saving Heart Surgery, Leans on Faith and Family for Support
-
Rachel McCord had life-saving open heart surgery to repair a damaged mitral valve that was causing debilitating symptoms. She feared she would die and prepared letters and videos for her family.
-
The 4-hour surgery was a "success" according to her doctors. Rachel was terrified her heart wouldn't restart after it was stopped during the operation.
-
For 6 years Rachel suffered symptoms like fainting, fatigue, and breathlessness that made it hard to play with her 3-year-old son. Doctors finally diagnosed her with mitral valve prolapse.
-
Rachel leaned on her faith and family, including her sister actress AnnaLynne McCord, for support before and after the surgery. Her son Jude welcomed her home with a rose.
-
Recovery will take 3 months. Rachel says the experience was the "scariest and most painful" but she feels "blessed" by the outpouring of love and support.