About Me (In My Own Words)
As a child, I was told that I had a heart murmur, but it was never a problem. Life went on as normal. Then, in my late 30's, I was referred to cardiology for a checkup. The echocardiogram showed that I had a leaky mitral and aortic valve. I had echocardiograms every six months for 9 years until the "golden moment", went it was recommended that surgery be scheduled.
I had aortic and mitral valve replacement surgery in October, 2005 at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla. My surgeon was Dr. Scot Brewster and I had bovine tissue valves "installed". I was in the hospital for a week, then home. Off work for a couple of months healing, but went back to work and life continued.
Fast forward 11 years. After experiencing some symtoms and now with A-fib, I discover its time to definitely replace the mitral valve. Fortunately, Dr. Brewster is still at Scripps and in the years since my first surgery they have built the new Scripps Prebys Cardiovascular Institute. On April 21, 2017, Dr. Brewster replaces the mitral valve (aortic valve is in good shape.) Great nurses in the Cardiovascular ICU help me through the first stage of recovery, then it's up to the 7th floor. Recovery seems so much faster the second time. Came home less than a week from surgery and I'm feeling so much better!!
I'm so fortunate that, as a Kaiser Permanente member, I am able to take advantage of the partnership between Kaiser and Scripps for heart surgeries and procedures.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Chula Vista, California
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My surgery date is:
April 21, 2017
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral Stenosis
Atrial Fibrillation
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Mitral Valve Replacement
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My hospital is:
Prebys Cardiovascular Institute, La Jolla, CA
