Danielle's Profile

I have always been very active and hoped I would never need surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve. I met a cardiologist in January who immediately referred me to a surgeon after an Echo. I had an MRI in February of 2022, surgical consult in March, a TEE in April, a final surgical consult in May followed by open heart Surgery mid May. It all happened so fast and was extremely daunting. I had a hemiarch graft repair of the lower ascending aorta done by a talented surgeon, and an aortic valve repair. An extra slit was cut into my bicuspid valve. I spent 6 days in the hospital for recovery. Complications post release were plural effusion with a partial collapsed lung that required inpatient observation for 1 night with a thoroscentesis to remove a wine bottle worth of fluid. I started having more energy around week 6 but lots of shortness of breath. Insomnia came back week 7 when I started cardiac rehab. Depression started week 8 after seeing I was not yet capable to physically keep up to my old pace. Currently about to start back at work and school at the University (August). I am healing very slowly at this point and I am wishing to return to my old self. I am still dealing with minor complications, but I'm grateful the surgery was a success.