About Me (In My Own Words)
In Feb/Mar 2020 I learned I had severe aortic stenosis, at age 64, otherwise healthy. I already had hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, diagnosed over 10-12 years ago. The stenosis was mild 5 or 6 years ago after echocardiogram. I did not have it followed as I should have, until this fall, when I reported more episodes of dizziness. I had assumed the dizziness was due to the HOCM. A bunch of tests later, and my cardiologist informed me I would need open heart surgery in order to have both a septal myectomy (for the thickened heart muscle) and an aortic valve replacement (bovine tissue valve from Edwards Life Sciences). I admit I was shocked. No option for TAVR because of the need for the myectomy. Dr. Gordon specializes in doing both these procedures during open heart surgery. It was suspended indefinitely during the COVID-19 crisis and shelter in place, and then the County Health Dept. allowed these procedures to move forward so I chose the earliest date possible. I am now 3 weeks out from it, after 9 days in hospital, and two weeks at home.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
OAKLAND, CA
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My surgery date is:
May 11, 2020
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
Atrial Fibrillation
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Robert Gordon
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My hospital is:
Kaiser Santa Clara Homestead Medical Center
