About Me (In My Own Words)
Fast forward through a lot of tests and considerations: I will be having minimally invasive mitral valve repair/replacement (depends on what they find?) via a right minithoracotomy on Wednesday, December 17th with Dr. Scott Johnson, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Aurora Medical Center Grafton., WI.
Check it out “the essence of it” if you’d like: https://mmcts.org/tutorial/703
So very grateful to be in excellent health and remain active as I am fortunate to be essentially asymptomatic (other than occasional heart palpitations). The chordae tendinae (heartstrings) of my posterior leaflet have ruptured from the papillary muscle in the left ventricle (envision how a parachute would flap in the wind with some severed shrouds), causing a valve prolapse (opening backwards) and regurgitation (leaking/letting blood flow back into the left atrium) with every contraction. During open-heart surgery (essentially between ribs 4-5: think armpit?) Gortex strands are attached to act as new fibrous cords and the perimeter of the valve is reduced & reinforced with a fibrous annulus.
My gratitude for Dr. Johnson’s skills to keep my sternum intact has deep roots! Visiting my father after his triple bypass surgery via sternotomy left me with PTSD (?) as I can still see the oozing staples in his chest (thirty years later) and while successful he had many complications due to not being in optimal health. Logically I “know” the procedure did not create his situation however emotionally I am so thankful for the advances and options available today…. And more tomorrow!
Resources available on HeartValveSurgery.com and The Patient’s Guide to Heart Valve Surgery have be invaluable in guiding my journey!
Background to Today is “Some Day!”
Dr. Josh Bloom, Pulmonologist, heard the clicking of my mitral valve in 2000 during a routine visit and referred me Dr. Michael Kruger, Cardiologist. An echocardiogram showed mitral valve prolapse with mild-moderate regurgitation. After 25 years of an active life raising 4 beautiful daughters and an assortment of “adventures/careers” it has now progressed to severe regurgitation. Dr. Prakash Shah, Cardiologist, said “It’s time to get that valve repaired…. now! And so I am!
Next?
We shall see! Post-recovery rehabilitation travels & new adventures will motivate me! To be able to live life to it’s fullest is a gift of a lifetime! Thankful for EVERYONE'S help! Namaste!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Racine, WI
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My surgery date is:
December 17, 2026
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Replacement
Mitral Valve Repair
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Scott Johnson
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My hospital is:
Aurora Medical Center Grafton
