Amy's Profile

My original surgery to replace my aortic valve was set for March 6th. My case was more complicated than originally thought. Plus my Thoracic Aorta has enlarged to 4.9. I am now having my valve replaced with a mechanical valve, a hole in my heart repaired from a birth defect, my ascending, arch, descending, and Thoracic Aorta repaired. I am fully dissected all the way down to the illacs in my legs. Dr. Unai at Cleveland Clinic brought my case before a team of specialists, and they have created a plan to save me. I will now be having surgery on May 3rd. This is Derby Eve for us Kentucky People, but I will feel a lot better next year for Derby and all of the festivities thanks to Dr. Unai, Dr. Thamilarisan and the team of specialist surgeons who will be operating on me. I am so grateful and blessed to be taken care of by this hospital and all of the specialists that aren't giving up on me like the surgeons here in Louisville. I can't not wait to post my after picture. I picked out a cotton comfortable dress to wear home from the hospital. My complete Aorta, subclavins and my left illiac dissected on January 3, 2012. Six months later my Aorta tore from my heart. I had an emergency surgery at Norton's Hospital Audubon. Dr. Abdul Attum and his team saved my life. However, the pig valve is to small and a flap of skin was left hanging in my heart. I had a 5 way bypass at that time. My heart was damaged, and I had no idea. I have been very weak since my surgery, and have had severe dypsnea. My heart just cant produce enough oxygen. I have searched high and low for over 6 years for help and to understand what is wrong with me. Well, good news! My medicare kicked in, in November so my cardiologist referred me to Cleveland Clinic. I had testing done on December 18th, 2018. Dr. Thamalarison sent me home with a 30 day heart monitor. I got the call yesterday, February 13th, to come for more testing on the 1st of March, and more tests on Monday the 4th. Tuesday the 5th I will be meeting with the surgical team, anesthesiologist, and nursing staff. I will be having surgery on March 6th, 2018. I am beyond nervous, as my first surgery was a doozy! Plus, it will be an 8 hour drive back home in a Jeep Liberty. My faith in God, and the support of my daughter and husband are carrying me through this. God saved me on August 1, 2012 during the emergency surgery! That was a true miracle. I am a very blessed 50 year old woman. In case your wondering, Aortic Aneurysms run in my family. I lost my grandma, and mom to aneurysms. I am the blessed one who tore completely, but God decided I have more work to do. I foster fur-babies and help others the best I can. I am looking forward to posting my scar picture! I hope it stays as thin as my first one! I have 3 drain tube scars at the end of my long scar. I joke that Im going to get a tattoo of a happy face. Maybe after this surgery! I will definitely be gettingca tattoo of A Frazzled Angel in honor of my mom and a very dear friend! I will be able to complete a whole slow dance with my husband of 6 years! Something we have never been able to do. God also blessed me with my husband, who stayed with me knowing what all I have been dealing with! Prayers to all my fellow heart valve friends! God has us, and our surgeons.