About Me (In My Own Words)
I am a physically active 67 year old retired physical therapist who enjoys outdoor sports. I have been a runner for almost 50 years and have completed 7 marathons. I also am a mountain climber and have summited all of the major volcanoes in Washington, Oregon, California. I enjoy multi day bicycling most of all...something my wife and I can do together. I have ridden from Seattle to San Francisco twice.
Imagine my surprise during an annual physical in December 2020 when my family practice doctor listened to my chest and asked, "has anyone ever told you that you have a murmur"? I was referred to a cardiologist and subsequent echocardiogram revealed moderate mitral valve regurgitation with no other significant changes to the heart. I was told to continue my life as before, including running, but to listen to how I was feeling and recheck with her if anything changed. Six months later I could only run 3 miles instead of my usual 6 to 8 miles. Another echocardiogram now revealed that I had severe mitral regurgitation. Long story short I had mitral valve repair via sternotomy by Dr. Ryan in September of 2021. What an incredible surgeon and human being. He only had to do an annuloplasty to correct my problem. At my request he recorded parts of my surgery and air dropped them into my iPhone my last day in the hospital. Love showing my heart beating and the actual surgery to friends who are up for that sort of thing.
Overall I feel tremendous now. The only negative is that I am a shadow of my former self nine months after surgery as far as vigorous aerobic activity. I can run about a mile at a slow pace before I have to stop and walk for a bit, then run some more, then walk, etc until I reach 3 miles. Mountain climbing is not even a possibility as I get out of breath going up two or three flights of stairs. My cardiologist has done all appropriate tests and my heart could not be in better shape. She says it could be a year or two before I am able to do the vigorous activities I did before surgery. She encourages me not to give up, so I am staying at it, trying to improve my aerobic condition.
Although I would love to be able to run, climb and bike again at a high level, I am OK if I cannot. I am so grateful to have dramatically decreased the risk of left sided heart failure, to have a normal life expectancy, and to feel so good. I also cannot be more thankful for all of the doctors, nurses and staff who have taken care of me through this journey. I hope the same for any other cardiac patient who reads my story.
Stephen
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
Seattle
-
My surgery date is:
September 24, 2021
-
I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
-
My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
-
-
