Kim's Journal

Peggy Whitecotton  Yes I did and so did my sister. We both had surgery and did fine. My sister had her mitral valve repaired and I had to have my aortic replaced with a Bovine ... Read more

Peggy Whitecotton  Yes I did and so did my sister. We both had surgery and did fine. My sister had her mitral valve repaired and I had to have my aortic replaced with a Bovine (cow) valve. I don’t have to take any blood thinners only a baby aspirin. My sister ended up on Coumadin because she went into Afib.

Kim Murray  I did it was actually from my husbands co-workers, sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner, a lot has changed since I visited clevland clinic, we are going ... Read more

Kim Murray  I did it was actually from my husbands co-workers, sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner, a lot has changed since I visited clevland clinic, we are going to try the ballon valvoplasty on my mitral valve first, even though my cardiologist here in Cincinnati said I wasn't a good candidate for that, but clevland clinic feels differently. I scheduled for June 30th , excited to see if it works, if not I was where I was before. Open heart surgery!

Barbara Laurie  Kim, you really are stronger than you think, ask your loved ones! I bet they know you to be strong. I've known about my Cardiac defect since birth, but it didn't ... Read more

Barbara Laurie  Kim, you really are stronger than you think, ask your loved ones! I bet they know you to be strong. I've known about my Cardiac defect since birth, but it didn't make the news easier😄 I cried on Dave's shoulder often just saying, no, I don't want to do this. But, I do want a path that may bring me a healthier outcome than doing nothing❤️🌹❤️ Keep us updated and hang out with us, may your anxiety decrease as you get your questions answered🌻Best Regards.

Kate Watson  That sounds so much like my story, Kim. They say mine is rheumatic though I have no recollection of being so sick as a child nor do my parents. It's also ... Read more

Kate Watson  That sounds so much like my story, Kim. They say mine is rheumatic though I have no recollection of being so sick as a child nor do my parents. It's also something doctors say they see in 70 year olds, though mine was diagnosed at 18. It's really puzzling. I am scheduled to get a double valve replacement in just a few weeks. It's a scary thing to go through for sure, and being scared is normal. Hang in there. Hope you get some answers and find the right surgeon.

  Hi Kim. I agree. Mitral stenosis doesn't seem to be as common but I was diagnosed five years ago when I had an echo for arrhythmia and a heart murmer. I had ... Read more

  Hi Kim. I agree. Mitral stenosis doesn't seem to be as common but I was diagnosed five years ago when I had an echo for arrhythmia and a heart murmer. I had rheumatic fever when I was a young girl. I was able to have a balloon valvuloplasty several weeks ago because the regurgitation wasn't severe and the stenosis was moderately-severe. 'A good candidate for valvuloplasty.'
My symptoms included increasing shortness of breath, fatigue and with exertion, chest pain. I understand the valvuloplasty (PMBV) isn't a permanent fix and because I'm still having some shortness of breath, I will be having a stress echo soon. I'll be having regular echos to monitor; it was also mentioned at my last appointment that it may 'take some time for the enlarged atrium to remodel and for symptoms to improve.'
But I hope you can get some answers soon. Best regards. Janet

Rita Savelis  Yes I had both aortic and mitral valve stenosis due to radiation I had as a teenager in the 70's for cancer treatment. I had both valves replaced and a third ... Read more

Rita Savelis  Yes I had both aortic and mitral valve stenosis due to radiation I had as a teenager in the 70's for cancer treatment. I had both valves replaced and a third valve repaired (tricuspid) 6 months ago. It's true that aortic valve problems are more common than mitral. I'm sorry that you have to go through this Kim - you are not the only one.

Kim Murray  Thank you both for writing me back, I have not gotten a second opinion yet about my mitral valve stenosis. I would love to get the valvuplasty but my cardiologist ... Read more

Kim Murray  Thank you both for writing me back, I have not gotten a second opinion yet about my mitral valve stenosis. I would love to get the valvuplasty but my cardiologist said mine is severe, which I kind of doubt because I really do not have any symptoms. Except for a little shortness of breathe, if you do not mind would you please tell me your surgeons and hospitals, thank you again, I just feel so alone, and I just do not want to trust this one doctor with my life.

  Hi Kim. I live in Canada so it wouldn't work for surgeon and hospital either but the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association ... Read more

  Hi Kim. I live in Canada so it wouldn't work for surgeon and hospital either but the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have set up guidelines for Percutaneous Mitral Balloon Valvuloplasty. (PMBV) There are no doubt guidelines for repair vs replacement guidelines as well and I would encourage you to get a second opinion. I did just that when the first cardiologist told me that I 'couldn't possibly be having symptoms (SOB, debilitating fatigue, chest pain) which I was; a second opinion based on right and left heart cath report and repeat echo showed mod/severe stenosis with pulmonary hypertension. I understand that one can be classed as 'severe' with no symptoms, while someone with mod/severe CAN have symptoms. That's why it's important to get a second opinion if you can. Hope you can get some answers soon.

Kate Watson  I'm in the same boat too. I have already had an aortic valve replacement that is declining now (10 1/2 years later) but additionally my mitral stenosis is ... Read more

Kate Watson  I'm in the same boat too. I have already had an aortic valve replacement that is declining now (10 1/2 years later) but additionally my mitral stenosis is progressing to the moderate/severe category. You are definitely not alone in this! They also think mine was from rheumatic fever as a child, though I certainly never remember being sick enough to have had that and my parents always took me to the doctor when needed. So it's a mystery as to how that could be. I would also recommend several surgical consults to be sure you learn of all the treatment options available. I am going to my third consult tomorrow.

Erin Hannum  Hi Kim! Yes, I have just had surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair my mitral valve. I called it a "two for one special" at the Cleveland Clinic because ... Read more

Erin Hannum  Hi Kim! Yes, I have just had surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair my mitral valve. I called it a "two for one special" at the Cleveland Clinic because the mitral valve problem wasn't diagnosed until the last minute. If you are a west side Clevelander and need to talk, I'm happy to go through this with you. I'm 48 and had surgery on February 10th. I can't wait for my new life to start! Also, please be comforted to know that it is so true what the hype is at the Cleveland Clinic - I couldn't have asked for better treatment and my surgeon is incredible.