Claire's Profile

I was diagnosed with MVP in 2013 and it was mild at the time. My cardiologist kept an annual eye on it and eventually, this year, the Echo showed severed regurgitation and a flail segment. That was early November. By 11/18/20, I had the TEE and a few days later, the surgery date for 12/14/20. I had no symptoms which they attributed to my being very fit. Still, my left atrium was enlarged from all the strain and regurgitation (I think). My mom went through the same surgery in 2009, when my oldest son was 3 weeks old. She ended up in the ICU for 3 days! I was terrified by what faced me but was in excellent hands at Penn, with Dr Michael Acker, an amazing surgeon but also a truly decent and kind human. I'm 4 weeks post-op today and feeling good but also feeling concerned and confused about how long I have to be on Warfarin and Amiodarone. The third night in the step down, I had A-fib and don't know whether it will still be there once I end the Amiodarone. Anyway, I'm grateful for all the terrific care I had at Penn Med and for being able to take two 50 min walks each day and being able to work again! It'll be a bit of a long road, but I'll get back to being my old self, I hope!