Shannon's Profile

I am a 58 year old female whose damaged aortic valve was found by ACCIDENT 5 years ago by a doctor right out of med school during a shoulder surgery pre-physical. What a stroke of luck! Had this sharp lady doctor not heard my defective valve, I would have never known it until the day it gave out...because, like Adam, I have NO SYMPTOMS. As of now, 2 weeks out from surgery (scheduled June 9th, 2010), I also have developed an aneurism in the aortic vessel, so if that would have exploded, I would be a 'gonner'. Dr. Elizabeth Smith saved my life! My surgery will be performed at Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, IL. (on June 9). I am grateful to you who have signed up on this site to take this journey with me. You have no idea how your support helps manage my considerable anxiety and fear of what is about to happen. Thank you all!