About Me (In My Own Words)
In the year 2020 I had 2 open heart surgeries requiring a full sternotomy. I am 53, living in Portland OR and was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy many years ago and had been living with the symptom of shortness of breath with exertion for as long as I can remember. This condition developed over the years into severe mitral valve regurgitation and Afib. The notion of surgery was suggested to me in 2015 but it was the afib condition that led to a stroke in April of 2019 that was finally the motivator for me to acknowledge that surgery had to happen. Fortunately I received very quick care and have virtually no residual effects from the stroke.
My cardiologist at OHSU recognized that my situation was a bit complex (I had a long anterior leaflet) and likely would require me to travel for this. They recommended going to the Mayo Clinic, so, not doing any other research I took their advice and I went there for Surgery which was on Jan 15th 2020. They preformed a Septal Myectomy to address the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (thickened muscle), a MAZE procedure and a mitral valve repair. I ended up leaving the hospital still showing severe regurgitation. After returning to PDX my cardiologist gave me the unfortunate news that I would still likely need another surgery.
Research led me to Mount Sinai which had Information about re-repairs being performed by Dr David Adams and Dr Anelechi Anyanwu. I arranged a zoom call and they said I should definitely repair and not replace. That felt right so scheduled another surgery for October 15th at Mount Sinai in NYC, which did happen and was to this point successful. They performed another MAZE because I still had afib and a mitral valve re-repair.
Before my 2nd surgery I believe the Septal Myectomy relieved me of my symptom of shortness of breath so for the first time in my life I was able to exercise without that disability. I faced this 2nd surgery without symptoms which is common with mitral regurgitation.
I would say research is key, but the anticipation of pending surgery is incredibly stressful, but now that I’m through it knowing how I feel I wish I did this years ago and didn't put it off.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Portland
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My surgery date is:
October 15, 2020
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
Atrial Fibrillation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
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My surgeon is:
Dr. David Adams
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