Shelby Praises Dr. John Randolph and Dr. Ron Elkins, Oklahoma Heart Surgeons
There is ab-sooooooooo-lute-ly nothing better than opening my inbox and reading these types of emails… Thanks Shelby!
Hi Adam,
Seven years ago I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve, which was stenoic with regurgitation. I have had annual ultrasounds since then. In August of this year, I discovered that it was time for a valve job. I am a 40 year old male, in excellent condition. My doctor and I decided on a Ross Procedure. On November 13, I had my surgery with Drs. John Randolph and Ron Elkins at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
I had my surgery on a Thursday and was back home the following Monday. I am currently three weeks post-op and am doing some light running with no issues. Really, the only problem I am having is premature ventricular contractions, which is being treated with 50mg Toprol XL.
Every day is better than the previous one, so I guess I am headed in the right direction. I feel great with very little pain or discomfort. Ultrasound results indicate everything is now perfectly normal.
I would like to make your readers and future patient about my surgeons and the Oklahoma Heart Hospital (OHH). I did a great amount of research prior to my surgery and if there are better surgeons or facilities in the United States, I couldn’t find them. Top notch, all the way. OHH provided me with the best medical care I have ever received.
Anyway, I purchased your heart valve book prior to my surgery and found it to be extremely helpful. I hope you are doing well.
Regards,
Shelby R. Hudgens
Ada, Oklahoma
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January 11th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
Shelby,
I live in Dallas and anticipate aortic valve replacement soon. Any insight on Dallas surgeons?
January 13th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I’m not familiar enough with surgeons in the Dallas area to offer any meaningful insight. As I said, I had a Ross and after a great deal of research discovered one of the best facilities and surgeons for that procedure right in my backyard.
January 15th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Thanks for your feedback. I will probably go with Dr. Henry. He is with Baylor.
January 16th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I wish you the very best. Are you having a Ross?
January 16th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I totally agree with you. We live in Mexico and my husband was having congestive heart failure, with mitral valve problmes etc. A friend told us about OHH and since we are from OK, we looked into it. The web site sounded too good to be true…. IT IS ALL TRUE! The most amazing place with the most amazing doctors. His surgeon was Dr. John Randolph too, and CHF doctor is Dr. Phil Adamson. Having 3 separate surgeries last September we really got to know the people there. The nursing staff is incredible as well and when they say the patient to nurse ratio is 4:1, it is true, no visiting hours, and so much more.
My husband is doing well, still gets short of breath, but very active and playing tennis daily, lifting weights, swimming all just after 4 month. There are times he will back off as he gets sore and maybe more short of breath, but all in all, so much better than before.
Thanks Adam for all your hard work and keeping us informed.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Shelby,
My issue stems from radiation/chemo as a childhood cancer (Hodgkins) survivor. I have been monitoring my valve for over ten years and I was told I am entering the one to two year window. Valve area .9. But I am still a-symptomatic. Take care.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:45 am
I wish you the best. I’ll give you a word of encouragement and say that the surgery, for me, wasn’t nearly as bad as I feared. It is scary, but I think a week or two post-op, you’ll look back and wonder what the big deal was. I’m not making light of a major surgery, though. Let me know if you want any info for the doctors/hospital I decided on. Take care.
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
I think I am going to stay in Dallas. I am researching Dr. Henry and, so far, insiders are telling me good things. Thanks for the encouragement. It has been a while since I have been under the knife but I have faith suffering is for a purpose. It would be nice to chat maybe as I get closer to the big day. If you send me a contact email at harnessmatt@gmail.com maybe I can give you a call. Thanks.
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Matt,
Have you considered Dr. William Ryan in Plano? He’s one of the valve surgeon gurus in Dallas area.
Keep on tickin!
Adam
February 13th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Three-month checkup yesterday — doctor said everything sounds completely normal. Would definitely do the Ross again. Have an echo scheduled for April, so we’ll see what things look like close up.
February 25th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Shelby and Adam,
My son is due to have an aorta replacement within the next two weeks. He is going to be at the OHH. We have read Adam’s book and it has helped immensely to better prepare us for the surgery. My son is 37 and has two young sons. An additional concern we have is how to help the 11 and 9 year old boys make it through the process along with my son and we care givers. Any suggestions?
February 26th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Hi Kathy,
I have an eight year old son. I had known about my condition for most of his life, so he essentially grew up with the possibility that I would at some point have heart surgery. My wife and I were always very open about what was going on, so when the day came he was fairly prepared. On the morning of the surgery we had lots of family members present, along with our pastor. My mom brought a lot of games to keep them busy (OHH has a nice waiting area). I was in surgery nearly eight hours, so the wait got a little long, but he did just fine.
Just curious — who’s his surgeon?
February 27th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Has anybody researched Emory Hospital in Atlanta? If so, any surgeons you have information on? Anybody had a personal experience there? My 25 year-old daughter will have Aortic Valve Replacement surgery this summer and keeps leaning toward Emory. I have not found enough information about AVR surgery at Emory. Thanks for any help.
March 17th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Shelby,
I am encouraged by your results. I am 41 and need valve replacement within the next 2-3 months I am told. A local surgeon mentioned Dr. Elkins to me. Did you come across anyone at the University of Alabama at Birmingham or in the Houston area? I live in New Orleans and would like to have this done nearby if possible.
Philip
April 20th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Five month follow-up w/ echo was last Wednesday. Everything looked great. Minor regurgitation on the homograph, which the doctor said would likely improve over time. So far so good. Having a Ross is turning out to be a very good decision for me.
Phillip, have you consulted Adam’s surgeon database?
-Shelby
May 4th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Shelby, I am scheduled for the Ross Procedure Thursday, May 7, 2009 with Dr. Craig Elkins and his father, Dr. Ron Elkins at Integris Medical Center in Oklahoma City. I was delighted to read the account of your procedure with Dr. Ron Elkins. I feel confident going in to this surgery and am looking forward to regaining some energy lost over the last several years. I am a 53 year old active female in very good health (other than aortic stenosis) and my husband and I were so thankful I am a candidate for this procedure. Thanks for posting encouraging words! I look forward to posting my success story. Dana Ellis
May 12th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Hi Dana,
Please let us know how your procedure went. All the best!
-Shelby
May 12th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Dana, Hope you are doing well. My daughter had the ross procedure performed by Dr. R. Elkins in Children Hospital in Oklahoma City when she was 12 years old in 2001. She had aortic stenosis and is now 20 yrs old and doing great. She is a motocross rider and active in numerous other sports. We live in washington state and came to him because he was recommended by her cardiologist here. I am positive you will do well with him. Best of Luck.
Janet
September 17th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
An update:
Just had one year follow up after RP last November. All the key parameters (dP, area, EF) were better this time than before, so it looks like I’m headed in the right direction.
-Shelby