Crystal Johnson - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

11 hours ago

Hey y’all. I am in desperate need of help. I am 45, a registered nurse but not a cardiac nurse. Mt tee says I have severe stenosis and regurgitation of my ...Read more

Hey y’all. I am in desperate need of help. I am 45, a registered nurse but not a cardiac nurse. Mt tee says I have severe stenosis and regurgitation of my mitral valve with severe dilation of left atrium. My cardiologist has not shared any plans and we have not gotten along well. I received a call to schedule with an interventional cardiologist to discuss heart cath. I was taken off work when my first echo resulted because I was symptomatic with shortness of breath at rest and elevated BNP. I am completely lost and scared to death.

Crystal Johnson Just wanted to add that dr Castro works with the vascular surgeon I used to work for. He is in Marin ... Read more

Crystal Johnson Just wanted to add that dr Castro works with the vascular surgeon I used to work for. He is in Marin and I’ll be seeking a second opinion once my cardiac cath is cleared. I have already called to make sure my insurance is covered. They said I can get an appointment within a week of completing my heart cath.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Crystal. Although I'm abroad I can tell you that I had also a big dilation of left atrium and ha... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Hey Crystal. Although I'm abroad I can tell you that I had also a big dilation of left atrium and had mitral valve surgery with a biological valve implanted now and I'm fine. Left atrium dilatation is a sign of insufficiency, but the really important and grave is the left ventricle dilatation. Then, is important to have surgery before the last happens. But It's also very important to relax along the way and move on that direction. I wish you the best and 2026 be good and Happy for you.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Ah and keep in mind that often those of us who have worked in hospitals are the one who are most afra ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Ah and keep in mind that often those of us who have worked in hospitals are the one who are most afraid, lol.

Rose Madura You need to have a cardiologist that you get along with and trust. It's good you are getting a secon ... Read more

Rose Madura You need to have a cardiologist that you get along with and trust. It's good you are getting a second opinion. Take time to gather up all your questions and write them down. And take someone with you to the appointment in case you forget something that was said. You'll have a second set of ears. God bless you on this journey. Please keep us updated.

Richard Munson My dilated left chamber returned to its pre mitral valve issue size after my surgery to repair the se ... Read more

Richard Munson My dilated left chamber returned to its pre mitral valve issue size after my surgery to repair the severe category prolapse valve. I stress repair as its very possible that it can be done rather than replace. Worth asking in my book. Its a business by the way so heart surgeons tend to push what they do best. Sorry to say, but true.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Agreeing with your Richard

Richard Munson We agree a lot. Scary. Happy new year fidel. I have a car club friend fidel also.

Fidel Martínez Ruiz LOL, Ja ja !, but emphasizing that a good replacement is better than a bad repair. There in USA I see ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz LOL, Ja ja !, but emphasizing that a good replacement is better than a bad repair. There in USA I see you have quite a few surgeons who are experts in repair, which is a difficult surgery. We have not as many here.

Crystal Johnson Thank you all. Fidel you make an interesting point about this of us working there being the most afra ... Read more

Crystal Johnson Thank you all. Fidel you make an interesting point about this of us working there being the most afraid. They often say nurses are the worst patients. I am probably not helping that stereotype

Richard Munson Is that like a good friend is better than a bad woman? My repair was just good luck as i was not on t ... Read more

Richard Munson Is that like a good friend is better than a bad woman? My repair was just good luck as i was not on this site till after surgery. Just so happened that my surgeon was a minimally invasive repair guy. The important thing is getting it fixed and not putting it off.