Michelee Scott - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

2508 days ago

I wanted to know if anyone else here is concerned with all the recent news about Gadolinium contrast disease? If so have you or had you discussed imaging ...Read more

I wanted to know if anyone else here is concerned with all the recent news about Gadolinium contrast disease? If so have you or had you discussed imaging options with your DR? I have another visit coming up in April less than a year since the last due to the sudden growth of my TAA and am very concerned about all the news of gadolinium deposits and kidney failure cases popping up.

Anna Jones Hi Michelee, you should definitely talk to your Dr. about your concerns. There may be other testing ... Read more

Anna Jones Hi Michelee, you should definitely talk to your Dr. about your concerns. There may be other testing options for you.

Marie Myers From what I understand, it is a problem for people with deteriorating/ abnormal renal function.

Michelee Scottposted an update

2511 days ago

Bonnie Stone-Hope and 1 other reacted to this

Hi there. I have been a patient in follow up for aortic root aneurysm at Cleveland clinic for 13 years.. Facing surgery in 1-5 years per my cardiologist (of ...Read more

Hi there. I have been a patient in follow up for aortic root aneurysm at Cleveland clinic for 13 years.. Facing surgery in 1-5 years per my cardiologist (of course depending on future growth) at 4.7 now. I am surprised that I don't see more discussion about the aortic surgeons at Cleveland Clinic. Has anyone had RECENT experience there as I know they have had some turnover. I love my cardiologist but not sure if that is my best option for surgery. I live in Washington (Seattle area) but don't care where I need to travel for surgery. I simply want the best aortic root surgeon. Also as an RN the total hospital package cannot be stressed enough. An amazing surgeon is only half the battle.. My valve is tri-leaflet and fine BTW. Anyone with recent experience that is willing to share their surgeon with me? Thanks!!! SO happy to have found this group, I sometimes wake up in a panic in the middle of the night thinking about what is coming!

Phyllis Petersen I did mitral valve repair at Cleveland Clinic, but I know that there are recent aortic valve/root pat ... Read more

Phyllis Petersen I did mitral valve repair at Cleveland Clinic, but I know that there are recent aortic valve/root patients on this site. Catie B comes to mind, but there are others. As for the treatment before and after surgery, they are very comprehensive in their approach to making surgery as comfortable as possible for both the patient and their support people.

Catie B Michelee, my Cleveland Clinic surgeon who operated on my aortic aneurysm and aortic root and replaced ... Read more

Catie B Michelee, my Cleveland Clinic surgeon who operated on my aortic aneurysm and aortic root and replaced my aortic valve on 9/29/16 was Gosta Pettersson. My enlarged aortic root was one of the reasons he was recommended to me, and several nurses while I was in Cleveland told me they would pick Dr. P if they needed a similar surgery. Lars Svensson and Eric Roselli are also much admired there.

It sounds like you have some lead time, and that is a great thing. I didn't meet Dr. Pettersson till the night before surgery. That is one thing I would have changed, but they set everything up for one trip in my case.

My aneurysm was at 4.8/4.9 and I'm petite at 5'4". You're probably very well aware that they factor in body size when determining the right time for surgery.

My planning, surgery and travel experience was completely on my own. Cleveland Clinic is awesome in a myriad of ways, but I did encounter some administrative headaches along the way leading up to the operation. I felt that the care I received while there and afterward (I had a few complications) was very attentive and high quality.

Marie Myers Jill Krajnovich had surgery at CC last July. Check out her story.

Shannon Gray I had my ascending aorta graft/repair surgery 2 years ago... I truly admired my cardiologist at CC an ... Read more

Shannon Gray I had my ascending aorta graft/repair surgery 2 years ago... I truly admired my cardiologist at CC and he immediately consulted with Dr.Svennson. I met with Dr.Svennson beginning of Feb. and had my surgery scheduled once we finished my appt for Feb 22. Dr.Svennson is an amazing surgeon... gentle man of few words, but he knows exactly what to do in the operating room. He checked on me every single morning. I had complications that ended me me back in the hospital for almost 3 more weeks, which required another surgery. He stepped up and continued to watch over me again every single day. Overall... nursing staff was good, Dr.Svennson’s nurse, Sandy, was an angel, but some of the step down unit cardiologist I grew frustrated with as they didn’t take into consideration my full medical background ( I have Turner Syndrome, which is starting to fall under a connective tissue disorder. My asi was 4.0 but I am 4’10” tall). Good luck and best wishes as you travel through this. We are all here for you.

Bob Fessler Hi Michellee! Welcome aboard. I live in the Silverdale/Bremerton area. I had my aortic valve replac ... Read more

Bob Fessler Hi Michellee! Welcome aboard. I live in the Silverdale/Bremerton area. I had my aortic valve replaced at Swedish 5 months ago and am doing great. I hope you find the surgeon you are looking for.

Michelee Scott Thank you so much everyone for reaching out! It means so much to know others in this situation and to ... Read more

Michelee Scott Thank you so much everyone for reaching out! It means so much to know others in this situation and to hear your stories!

David C July 2016 I had a bicuspid valve repair and most of my aorta replaced by Dr Roselli at the Cleveland ... Read more

David C July 2016 I had a bicuspid valve repair and most of my aorta replaced by Dr Roselli at the Cleveland Clinic. I cannot say enough good things. I travelled from Portland for the surgery. I know people on this board had some good experiences here in Portland, but I felt most comfortable with surgeons who do this kind of thing day in and day out. I wanted them to be working on muscle memory. :) I really cannot express my gratitude or communicate how impressed I was with CC staff.

Gail Magnus Hi Michaelee, I live in Seattle as well (Snoqualmie). Dr. Verrier did my OHS on Feb 1, 2016...so almo ... Read more

Gail Magnus Hi Michaelee, I live in Seattle as well (Snoqualmie). Dr. Verrier did my OHS on Feb 1, 2016...so almost 2 years ago. It was my 2nd OHS. I had my Aortic Valve replaced and an ascending anyeurism repaired. Sounds like your procedure will be a different one, however I was extremely pleased with Dr. V and the care at UW. I'm happy to answer any questions if I can be of help.