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Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: December 24, 2014

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Don LaPorte got a guestbook from Richard Volpe

11 years ago (January 10, 2015)

Hello Don, my name is Richard Volpe. I had Dr. Gillinov save my life not once but twice in the last 4 years. He's the man. All we can do is put our self in the best of hands and you did. All The Best.

👍 Adam Pick and Don LaPorte reacted to this

Don LaPorte

11 years ago (January 10, 2015)

Wow Richard, thanks for this post! Awesome you are doing well, and hopefully no more visits in the near future!

Don LaPorte got a guestbook from Michael Meyer

11 years ago (January 2, 2015)

Don: Feel free to contact me here on heart journal or give me a call (314-399-5008) to discuss any concerns you might have about repair. I did have a surgical consult with one of the best thoracic surgeons in the country about the need for surgery. He suggested there was... Read more.

👍 Don LaPorte reacted to this

Don LaPorte

11 years ago (January 5, 2015)

Thanks Michael, really appreciate the time! Left a message for you, looking forward to catching up.

Don LaPorte got a guestbook from Kimberly Biddick

11 years ago (December 30, 2014)

Hi don! Thank you for your message you left me. Glad to see a few other local people on here! I am just curious, what made you reach the decision to go to Cleveland for your surgery vs. staying in Dallas? I would love to hear what brought you to... Read more.

Lenore Mitchell

11 years ago (December 30, 2014)

Kimberly - here are my thoughts on researching surgeons and hospitals. I live in Denver and as an RN, I'm aware of several local thoracic surgeons. Initially, I was thinking of having mitral valve repair here, but after researching the complexity of valve repair and the better outcomes with cardiac... Read more.

Cheryl Batzing

11 years ago (December 31, 2014)

Kimberly, are you using doctors at downtown Baylor at this time?

Kimberly Biddick

11 years ago (December 31, 2014)

My cardiologist is currently dr Schussler at downtown baylor. I believe he is in the same group as the one you mentioned did your tee. We probably had our tee done at the same place!!

Don LaPorte

11 years ago (December 31, 2014)

Hi Kimberly, From all my research and looking over statistics, I was just very comfortable with the track record of Cleveland Clinic as a 'center of excellence', very very low mortality rate, and very high rate of 'repair', since repair is still an option for me as of now.(I will... Read more.

Kimberly Biddick

11 years ago (January 4, 2015)

Thank you for that very insightful response, Don. Seems like you have thoroughly done your research. How blessed we are that we can have the options that we do and choose the surgeons to operate on us that we want to!

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