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Jennifer's Posts

Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation

Member Since: November 13, 2017

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Jennifer Donohue posted an update
8 years ago (December 8, 2017)
I am 42 and have been diagnosed with mod-sev mitral valve regurgitation. I just found out something was wrong a couple of months ago when I fainted at my 42nd birthday party (happy birthday) so this is all new and very shocking. I was sent to Dr. Philpott, a surgeon... Read more.
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
8 years ago (December 8, 2017)
Hi Jennifer, I am from Chesapeake and had my aortic valve replaced via TAVR at Sentara Heart Hospital in October. Approximately 8 years ago my brother had robotic surgery for his mitral valve at Vidant hospital at East Carolina Heart Institute. Dr. Randolph Chitwood did his repair Using the davinci... Read more.
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
8 years ago (December 8, 2017)
Ps he was about 48 at the time. Dr. Chitwood was the first to do robotic surgery in the us on the mitral valve. He also has a couple of videos you should watch on you tube. He has won many awards. East Carolina is about a two hour drive.... Read more.
Jennifer Donohue
8 years ago (December 9, 2017)
Thank you so much Karen. My cousin had the maze procedure at Sentara Heart Hospital in October. Perhaps I passed by your room during one of my visits to him. I hope your recovery is going well. Thank you for the info. I will do some research on East Carolina... Read more.
Rose Madura
8 years ago (December 9, 2017)
I had four opinions and they were all the same. It wouldn't hurt to get a tie breaker. Otherwise it's kind of a difficult decision for you. I'm sure there is someone who took the place of this Dr Chitwood. Best wished.
Phyllis Petersen
8 years ago (December 9, 2017)
I didn't have any difference of opinion when Dr. Gillinov reviewed my records. Have you had a TEE already? I had my MVr done robotically by Dr. Gillinov last year (Oct. 13, 2016) and have been doing well since. It's possible when they do their workup they may change the... Read more.
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
8 years ago (December 9, 2017)
Oh, I did not know he retired. He is actually a UVA graduate. He has trained many on robotic surgery. They have a good program there, but uva is great also. Good luck to you and let me know if you have any other questions I can answer.
Jennifer Donohue
8 years ago (December 11, 2017)
@Phyllis, Yes, I had a TEE done last month which showed the regurgitation was more severe than originally thought with two jets of regurgitation (guess I have two bum leaflets) and that was when my cardiologist sent me to Dr. Jonathan Philpott at Sentara Heart Hospital in Norfolk VA. I... Read more.
Phyllis Petersen
8 years ago (December 11, 2017)
I enjoy meeting members from this community. We understand each other!
Anonymous, heart valve patient
Anonymous
8 years ago (December 18, 2017)
You really can't get any better advise then at Cleveland Clinic- they have been rated # 1 in heart care for the last 23 years. I just had surgery done by Dr. Gillinov at CC. He has done more mitral valve repair than any other surgeon in the world. They... Read more.

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