Stephanie Mikrut - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1746 days ago

Susan Lynn, Adam Pick, Shannon Gray and 1 other reacted to this

Had my consult at Northwestern last week - what a wonderful experience! Started the day with another echocardiogram and then had the pleasure of meeting both ...Read more

Had my consult at Northwestern last week - what a wonderful experience! Started the day with another echocardiogram and then had the pleasure of meeting both Dr. Thomas and Dr. McCarthy and their staff. The best news of the day was that my mitral valve is almost certainly repairable - which had been my hope and prayer. And - they both felt that I can likely still wait a bit before doing surgery! They ordered a stress echo which I completed that afternoon. The nurse called to say I did very well and aside from the valve (which was no worse under stress than at rest), my heart and lung function was normal. Still a couple more tests to do but it's looking like I will be back to "watching and waiting" for awhile longer. No complaints on that of course - just need to get comfortable with it again. I can't say enough about everyone I encountered at Northwestern - everyone from the technicians to the nurses and of course the doctors were so wonderful. I feel so blessed to know exactly where I am going when the time comes and have such peace of mind knowing I'm in great hands. I wish the same comfort and peace of mind for everyone on this journey!

Susan Lynn Great news, Stephanie! You're certainly getting excellent care Glad you had such a positive experi ... Read more

Susan Lynn Great news, Stephanie! You're certainly getting excellent care Glad you had such a positive experience.

Ed Miskovic You are indeed in great hands with Dr. McCarthy and his team. Now 4 years after their care, I am enjo ... Read more

Ed Miskovic You are indeed in great hands with Dr. McCarthy and his team. Now 4 years after their care, I am enjoying life more and more.

Adam Pick Great to hear Stephanie!

Frank Giovanniello I love Watch and Wait. You can prep yourself, but maybe years away. Stay healthy.

Thomas Brusstar Great, thanks for the update. I was watching to see the report! When the time comes, they'll take c ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar Great, thanks for the update. I was watching to see the report! When the time comes, they'll take care of you. In retrospect, my internist should have sent me to a cardiologist earlier. By the time I met Dr. Thomas, my heart was in distress with severe regurgitation, so it was "go time." You'll have a more peaceful relationship with him for a while. Who knows, maybe you'll never get worse and will never need surgery. (My dear mother has always had a mitral valve prolapse, and has still never needed surgery, now at age 85.) Dr. Thomas really has a nice manner, he actually seems to be paying attention to you when you meet!

Stephanie Mikrut Thank you all for the support - I really appreciate it! @ Ed - wonderful to hear things are going ... Read more

Stephanie Mikrut Thank you all for the support - I really appreciate it! @ Ed - wonderful to hear things are going so well 4 years later! And @Thomas - yes - I had the exact same feeling with Dr. Thomas - he was truly present and listened. Coming out of my December echo - I was really expecting to hear "it's go time" as well and had prepared myself for that. Dr. Thomas said I'm sort of in this gray area where it's not quite time - but have to watch more closely. I guess no way to know exactly how long it will be. I'll have to get comfortable with that uncertainty - but that will be much easier to do now!

Stephanie Mikrutposted a journal

1765 days ago

Frank Giovanniello , Shannon Gray, Skipper Kagamaster and 3 others reacted to this

Received a call back from Northwestern today and they have given me appointments with a cardiologist and Dr. McCarthy on the 29th. I'm so grateful to be able ...Read more

Received a call back from Northwestern today and they have given me appointments with a cardiologist and Dr. McCarthy on the 29th. I'm so grateful to be able to see them so quickly. I've read posts by other patients on this site who have been treated there and these testimonials are so comforting to me right now...thanks to all who have shared! I'm looking forward to hearing Dr. McCarthy's opinion, learning about the options and just knowing what I need to do so I can move forward.

Frank Giovanniello One main key to all this is to feel good with your doctors and team. And it looks like you have a gre ... Read more

Frank Giovanniello One main key to all this is to feel good with your doctors and team. And it looks like you have a great support group. All Things Good !

Sherry Boleslawski Stephanie glad to hear things are moving at a good pace for you. Our story is similar as my cardiolog ... Read more

Sherry Boleslawski Stephanie glad to hear things are moving at a good pace for you. Our story is similar as my cardiologist has been watching my mitral valve for years and now at age 59 I will be having surgery to repair the valve.... actually only 1 week away till surgery. Yes I agree feeling good about who is caring for you is SO important! I ended up getting a second opinion and have great faith in the surgeon who will be doing the surgery. Stay positive and focused. You are your best advocate! Take care! Keep us posted!

Thomas Brusstar Hi Stephanie. Dr. McCarthy repaired my mitral valve 18 months ago. He does these all day. My regur ... Read more

Thomas Brusstar Hi Stephanie. Dr. McCarthy repaired my mitral valve 18 months ago. He does these all day. My regurgitation had gotten so severe, including a torn “flail” leaflet on one side of the valve and broken chords on that piece, that it was obvious needed surgery. Sounds like you’re ready also. He repaired it successfully. Even a year later the valve was leaking zero percent. Dr. Thomas is my cardiologist. Luckily there hasn’t really been anything for them to do since the surgery! Dr. Thomas and Dr. McCarthy both came from the Cleveland Clinic, so the CC expertise spread to Chicago a while ago. Dr. McCarthy will be straightforward and confident. He’s very low-key. No fireworks, he’ll just tell you he’ll fix it. Even my torn valve he was 98% sure he would repair not replace. He’s good at rebuilding what he finds in there.

Stephanie Mikrut Thank you all for your comments! @SherryBoleslawski - best wishes with your surgery next week! I ... Read more

Stephanie Mikrut Thank you all for your comments! @SherryBoleslawski - best wishes with your surgery next week! It's wonderful you feel great about the team you chose. @ThomasBrusstar - so encouraging to hear of your experience with Dr. McCarthy and Dr. Thomas (who is also the cardiologist I'll meet on the 29th!) - thank you for sharing that!

Brett Kurtz Hi Stephanie. Had my aortic valve replaced at NW last May. It was a great experience. They take great ... Read more

Brett Kurtz Hi Stephanie. Had my aortic valve replaced at NW last May. It was a great experience. They take great care of everyone there. I used Dr. Malaisrie but met first with Dr. McCarthy who said because my problem was with the aortic valve Dr. Malaisrie was the one to see. Just shows the teamwork.