![\"Patient,](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/Images\/patient-pig-valve.jpg\")
\nKelly Gaul – Heart Valve Replacement Patient<\/div>\n
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Hi Adam,<\/p>\n
It’s been about 7 or 8 months since I first found your web site, ordered your book and touched base with you.\u00a0 I am a 56-year old woman who leads a very active lifestyle – hiking, backpacking, and cross-country skiing.\u00a0 I knew I had a heart murmur since I was 25 years old, but didn’t realize it was a bicuspid valve<\/a> accompanied by aortic stenosis<\/a> until about 7 years ago (mild-moderate at the time).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Given my lack of symptoms and\/or restrictions, I decided to go the “Watchful Waiting” route for another 6 months.\u00a0 In September, my valve was only slightly worse (about .8 with a mean pressure aortic valve gradient<\/a> of 44), but I learned I had an aortic aneurysm measuring 4.5 centimeters.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0 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<\/a> and root with a Medtronic Freestyle Aortic Root Heart Valve (Porcine Heart Valve Replacement<\/a>) using a dacron graft for an extension.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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\u00a0 it. I have had no real problems aside from the kind of things we all\u00a0 experience, although I am not unaware of the challenges ahead.<\/p>\n As you say so well… Everyday is a gift.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/heart-surgery-blog\/..\/Images\/pig-valve-up-close.jpg\")
\nMedtronic Freestyle Tissue Valve<\/div>\n![\"Patient](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/Images\/patient-porcine-valve.jpg\")
\nAfter Surgery, Kelly With Her New Pig Valve (And Nose)<\/div>\n