Jack's Journal

After monitoring this great site a few months it is now time for me to share my experiences. Pittsburgh, my hometown, has excellent hospitals which provide highly rated care. However, I decided to go to Cleveland Clinic as it is slightly less than 3 hours away. I am glad I am going there! Here is my story: In May of this year a local cardiologist reviewed an echo and said I was fine. Since I have been deteriorating and the numbers from the echo rated me as having severe aortic stenosis I decided to go to Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion. The first appointment was with Dr. Popovic. He proved to be a caring man and I was glad he was my first encounter with Cleveland Clinic. After some tests he indicated I should proceed to TAVR evaluation due to some of my comorbidities. In the summer I returned for more testing and last week I went back for final evaluation. Dr. Krishnaswamy did a left and right heart cath. (The right heart cath was done to confirm my severe pulmonary hypertension.) My wife and I both felt completely comfortable with Dr. Krishnaswamy. Good thing - he will most likely perform the TAVR procedure on me. We also met with Dr. Roselli and was very impressed with him. He knew my case before he came into the room and my wife and I had an enjoyable conversation with him - if a conversation which includes confirmation I need heart surgery now could be called enjoyable. The afternoon after the cath procedures my pulmonary hypertension acted up and I was rushed to the Cleveland Clinic Emergency Room. I got to see more caring professionals jump into action to help me. At one point my wife counted 8 ER personnel in the room trying to help me. Thankfully they were successful! Enough can't be said about Cleveland Clinic. First, they are absolutely overflowing with the best of everything - Doctors, nurses, technicians, and even the people not directly associated with medical care were fantastic. For example, at one point I was waiting in the lobby for my wife and a greeter came across the lobby to ask if I was alright and to see if I needed any assistance. That would be above and beyond for most institutions, but I am beginning to feel that if the norm for Cleveland Clinic. Tomorrow we should hear if I am approved for the TAVR procedure. And, if approved, a date for the procedure. As so many of you know, it is somewhat terrifying to hope and pray to have heart surgery but it is the best thing that could happen now. I'll end with a thought I think every day and a prayer I pray every day: - Just keep living the best that you can and try to have fun while you're doing it. - Lord, help me to accept Your will and to live the plan You have for me. Help me find and give joy each day. God bless!

Yesterday I awoke at 4:40am and drove from Pittsburgh to the Cleveland Clinic. As I drove my wife and I discussed what would be the good answer from Dr. Popovic at the clinic. It was hard to decide; Did I want to learn my aortic stenosis was severe enough to dictate surgery? Or, did I want to hear I had more time before it was required? A little background on me. Three years ago I was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and started on constant oxygen. I am up to 3-6 LPM. In the last two years I have been hospitalized three times for a total of 21 days for congestive heart failure. Knowing that aortic valve stenosis can pulmonary hypertension, heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest I thought it would be a good idea to stop the progression before sudden cardiac arrest! An appointment with my cardiologist here in Pittsburgh is scheduled in three weeks. He has always responded to my question of when I should have the valve repaired with, "Not yet." . So, the main purpose of the trip to Cleveland was to get a second opinion before I get the first opinion from my primary cardiologist. Dr. Popovic and everyone we came into contact with at Cleveland were wonderful! After reviewing the CD from my last echo he stated it looks like my valve should be replaced. Hard to say if I was relieved or terrified! Another echo was done at the Clinic and Dr Popovic confirmed surgery is needed. He said I should have the TAVR procedure, That news that was both troubling (Am I too sick for the open heart procedure?) and relief (No need to open me up!) In any event, more testing needs to be done and I still need to get the "first opinion" from my primary cardiologist but after discussion my wife and I feel the TAVR procedure should be done and done at Cleveland Clinic. So the journey starts...