Kelly just sent me this very interesting story which touches on several critical factors specific to heart valve surgery from the patient perspective. That said, I thought you might want to learn about Kelly and her surgeon, Dr. Kevin Miller. Here is what she wrote to me:

Kelly Gaul – Heart Valve Replacement Patient

Hi Adam,

It’s been about 7 or 8 months since I first found your web site, ordered your book and touched base with you.  I am a 56-year old woman who leads a very active lifestyle – hiking, backpacking, and cross-country skiing.  I knew I had a heart murmur since I was 25 years old, but didn’t realize it was a bicuspid valve ^[1] accompanied by aortic stenosis ^[2] until about 7 years ago (mild-moderate at the time).

Like most of us, I followed the valve with regular echocardiograms and visits to the cardiologist. Last March, despite the absence of any symptoms, I learned my valve disease had progressed to “severe” status ^[3].  That is when it started to hit me I would need to have surgery on the valve at some point. But still, I did not believe that time had come.

However, I did consult with Dr. Kevin Miller in Denver. Doctor Miller is a wonderful man and a gifted surgeon. Dr. Miller explained EVERYTHING about the surgery to me.

Dr. Kevin Miller – Kelly’s Surgeon

Given my lack of symptoms and/or restrictions, I decided to go the “Watchful Waiting” route for another 6 months.  In September, my valve was only slightly worse (about .8 with a mean pressure aortic valve gradient ^[4] of 44), but I learned I had an aortic aneurysm measuring 4.5 centimeters.

This changed everything as my cardiologist did not want me doing most of the things I love to do anymore. (My cardiologist was horrified I’d been backpacking at 11,500 feet with a 40 pound pack over Labor Day). I consulted again with Dr. Miller. Together, we decided to go ahead with the surgery on November 19, 2009.  I had the surgery at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Denver. My research showed that St. Joseph’s Hospital had the best outcomes in the area. Doctor Miller replaced my aortic valve ^[5] and root with a Medtronic Freestyle Aortic Root Heart Valve (Porcine Heart Valve Replacement ^[6]) using a dacron graft for an extension.

Medtronic Freestyle Tissue Valve

The entire surgery took about 3.5 hours. Doctor Miller is a very efficient surgeon – just what you want when you’re on the heart-lung machine for any length of time. I spent one night in ICU, transferred to the CV Telemetry floor, and went home on Post-op Day 4 (surgery being day 0).

After Surgery, Kelly With Her New Pig Valve (And Nose)

I believe I received the very best of care from start to finish. I am a psychiatric consultation liaison nurse who has spent most of my career working in hospitals integrating mental health concepts into acute care. That said, I know good nursing care when I see  it. I have had no real problems aside from the kind of things we all  experience, although I am not unaware of the challenges ahead.

As you say so well… Everyday is a gift.

I want you to know how helpful your heart valve surgery book ^[7] was to me. This website – with your postings and videos, the stories and comments shared by others before and after surgery – were also incredibly helpful to me in the difficult months leading up to surgery. Thanks to you, I know we are all in this together. That makes a big difference.

Kelly Gaul
Conifer, Colorado