For the better part of a month, I've been dealing with significant health issues due to a blood infection that has allowed vegetation to form on my aortic valve. This is known as aortic valve infective endocarditis, a life-threatening inflammation where bacteria or fungi attach to the valve, causing growths that can destroy the tissue. It requires immediate and vigorous treatment with intravenous antibiotics (and frequently ends with heart surgery to repair or replace the dam