JOHNS CREEK, Ga. – A Johns Creek teacher is marking a major milestone — one year since a medical emergency forced her to leave school in an ambulance, ultimately leading to a life-saving heart surgery.
What we know: — Aleah Irvin, who teaches at Autrey Mill Middle School, says she was suddenly struck by a stabbing pain in her chest while at work. She was later diagnosed with pericarditis, a condition that causes inflammation of the membrane surrounding the heart. Over time, medication became ineffective at controlling her recurring flare-ups.
After an unsuccessful search for a local surgeon to treat her condition, Irvin found a specialist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago who was able to perform the complex heart surgery.…