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. I’m surgical “high risk”, but If I am an eligible candidate, they will use Mitraclip. Otherwise another open repair with a sternotomy. I still have to meet with another doctor from the heart valve team @ Northwestern before final decisions are made. I’m working on the insurance approval process, and unfortunately it looks like nothing else will happen until January when my new insurance kicks in. The waiting has been challenging!!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
I am from: Rockford
