Mild/Moderate MR, no MVP mentioned but scared

HI....hoping this is the right board as I don't have MVP, but I was just diagnosed this week with Mild/Moderate MR (50 y/o F).

Really just looking for others experience with this type of new diagnosis, I'm really stressed and scared. My dr did go over the results with me, and was extremely patient and kind, and of course told me not to worry, but I feel like a ticking time bomb.

The reading Dr actually rated me as Moderate MR, but my cardiologist said had he read and recorded the report, he would have classified me as Mild-Moderate. He thinks the other dr classified me higher because they have no baseline to compare anything else to, but that the rest of my numbers were good.

He said they will be monitoring me closely to establish a baseline, so I go for another ECHO in 6 months, and a follow up appt in July beforehand. He said if everything remains the same in October, then I can be considered stable, but if it progresses, then of course we have to eventually discuss valve replacement. The thought of that surgery makes me sick.

Just looking for some hope and a way to deal and accept this new diagnosis