About Me (In My Own Words)
I have Marfan Syndrome and was diagnosed back in 1993. I’ve been followed very closely since then. This will be my 4th heart surgery. I’ve had ascending aorta & descending thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm and dissection repairs (1993 & 1999), as well as a valve sparing aortic root replacement (David procedure) and a bypass graft in 2004.
1st surgery @ Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, St. Mary’s Hospital. The 2nd & 3rd @ Houston Methodist with Dr. Joseph Coselli.
In July ‘25, I suddenly started getting very short of breath and was having a hard time doing the simplest of activities. I felt like I was suffocating and couldn’t get a full breath in my lungs. I ended up in the ER & was admitted the hospital over Labor Day weekend.
My latest diagnosis is Congestive heart failure and Severe Mitral Valve prolapse & regurgitation with ruptured chordae. This will require another surgery. I reached out to Dr. Malaisrie in Chicago and met with him in October ‘25. I’m surgical “high risk”, so he referred me to another valve surgeon Dr. Ranya Sweis to check eligibility for other less invasive repair options. I had to wait for my insurance to update and I just had my valve appointment. She said I’m an eligible candidate for the Mitraclip instead of having to have another open repair with a sternotomy. My procedure date has finally been set! I’m looking forward to getting some relief!!!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Rockford
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My surgery date is:
January 30, 2026
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Repair
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
Mitral Valve Repair
Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Ranya Sweis
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