Jack's Profile

My heart failure symptoms began in March 2022. I was having issues with shortness of breath and could not sleep. My primary physician scheduled a stress test but I could not get an appointment to see a local cardiologist for thirty days. So I packed a bag and drove myself to Cleveland Clinic main ER and said the magic words. "I can't breathe" I was admitted for six days and after a battery of tests including a heart catherization, MRI and Ultrasound got treated for myocarditis. With the grace of God and a wonderful team of Cardiologists led by Dr. Pavin Bhat we got the inflammation under control then turned our attention to the murmur. A stress echo confirmed moderate to severe regurgitation with my mitral and aortic valves. After a ton of questions I selected Dr. Kevin Hodges as my Surgeon and had the replacement surgery on July 5, 2023. Dr. Hodges spent quite a bit of time attempting to repair my mitral valve to no avail. Both valves replaced and in recovery nine hours later. My recovery was very goal oriented! Beginning with moving to a chair and deep breathing exercises, removing pace wires then later drain tubes and my lovely catheter. Finally advancing to walking laps in the hall. I will say I had very little pain and was generally very comfortable. Hats off to all the recovery and ICU nurses they are true heroes in my book. I did take it slow for the first couple of months at home. I completed my cardiac rehab just after the new year and really feel great. Dr. Hodges is now a surgeon with Northwestern University Hospital in Chicago. When I got the call with the results of my stress echo from the valve doctor I had one question. Who would you want to operate on yourself and he recommended Dr. Kevin Hodges. I took his advice and am so thankful. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out to me. Remember.. You gotta GO through it.. To GET through it! Jack