Donna's Profile

I am facing surgery for severe regurgitation. I live in NJ, but I am looking at valve centers in NY and PA. My concern is whether insurance will pay if I go out of state, but I am hell bent on getting the level of skill that will get me a repair, not a replacement. Any insight or input would be greatly appreciated. Also, anyone struggle with the emotional part of the diagnosis? I find myself choking up regularly at the prospect of open heart. Still wrapping my head around it- I am asymptomatic. I just feel sad, almost like I've experienced a loss, like a death. Hard to explain. I met with Dr. John Brown, Chief Surgeon of the Gagnon Vascular Center at Morristown Medical Center. I feel extremely confident in his experience and comforted by his knowledge and outlook on what he sees as a successful mitral valve repair.