About Me (In My Own Words)
My journey started a few years ago when my GP asked if anyone had told me I had a murmur. Visited cardiologist at Baptist in Jacksonville and had echo etc. at that time, moved from Florida to South Carolina. Took awhile to establish cardiologist. He repeated echo and referred me to Dr Katz at MUSC. Had TEE, CT, cath etc which confirmed severe regurgitation on Mitral valve. Additionally, the surgeon said repair was best made via sternotomy. So no good news in terms of maybe having a less invasive procedure.
Luckily (sort of) I am asymptomatic throughout and still feel fine. so, despite knowing I will get worse, still hard to face big surgery when you feel okay but wanted to get it done before it was more severe and while I was in good shape.
After a few more tests, I scheduled surgery on 2/19/24. I had “first start” at 5 AM. So, got to hospital expecting 4-7 days in ICU, a few days in step down, a month of no driving and 3 months before golf, yard work etc. and an overall good outcome.
Got to hospital and was prepped with IV, shaving surgery site and given a feel good as the team went about their duties. From there on, don’t remember much only flashes here and there as I awoke. I was in the ICU with lots of staff around me as well as a concerned wife. In the ICU, I had a stroke (maybe) and 4 seizures. In addition, I had reactions to heparin and a seizure med that erased my short term memory. I had numerous wires, leads, tubes and monitors. The Nuerology fellow told my wife that I would likely be able to walk with a walker in six months. I could not move my left arm or leg and was left side oblivious. My sons who arrived my second day in ICU thought I would die and my wife thought she would be dealing with me in a wheelchair. I was on a lot of drugs, so was somewhat oblivious to my condition but I did ask a nurse if I was dying. Also, I vividly remember talking with my mother, father and grandfather-all who passed long ago. Not corporeal but my angelic/ethereal. They were comforting but no walking towards a light and similar near death reported experiences. There was no flat lining but there was a crash cart in the room.
The whole time I was repeatedly asked name, where I was and why and awakened for numerous tests, x rays etc. the ICU is not a place of rest/sleep.
I awoke on the third morning and was surrounded by the team and my family. I stated”I must be very sick” based on the amount of medical equipment and the concerned look on the group. I greeted all and they asked me to move my arm and flex my foot which I did but still was weaker on the left side and would slump to the left rather than sit up straight but vastly improved overnight. My surgeon said it was the most amazing recovery he had seen-he did not believe I had a strike-EP physician disagreed.
Problems remained. I had A fib and tachycardia and AV issues. My heart rate was as lo p.m.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
-
I am from:
St Helena Island, South Carolina
-
My surgery date is:
February 19, 2024
-
I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
-
My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Replacement
-
My surgeon is:
Dr. Marc Katz
