Linda 's Journal

Hi There, Thank you Adam for a resourceful site!

A little about me, I had a SAVR with bicuspid aortic valve replacement. I was fortunately asymptomatic, until in Dec. 2024, when my cardiologist in NM said it was time to have the valve replaced. 

I was referred to Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. I met virtually with the eloquent and exceptional cardiac surgeon, Dr. Johanna Chikwe and her team. Beyond zero hesitation, I knew Dr. Chikwe and her team were the team for me.

My SAVR was scheduled for April 16th. My husband and I flew out on August 13th to meet Dr. Chikwe and her team. What an exceptional experience. The Cedars Sinai Heart team is a very fine tuned team. On April 16th, I was rolled into surgery.  The SAVR/ AVR went very well. I have had 0 pain, only minor back pain which was relieved by Tylenol. Post surgery, my heart did have a little issue that was quickly resolved. My husband had to fly home on April 19th, meanwhile, my daughter Ania joined the mom crew on April 17th and my youngest daughter, Christina, joined us on April, 21, 2025. I was released from the hospital to the hotel we were staying at on April 20th. I was cleared by Dr. Chikwe and Vivian, the NP, on April 25th to travel home back to NM on the 26th.  It is now April 29th. I walk and do my spirometer. I rest when tired and have learned to be taken care of. I will be eternally grateful to Dr. Chikwe, Vivan B., NP, and all the amazing staff at Cedars Sinai in LA. They were all on top of their game. There was no waiting and wondering. This a fine tuned and developed system. My newly fixed heart goes out to the team and those waiting to undergo surgery. 

The whole process was much less complicated than I thought. I'm so thankful I met these miracle-makers who performed my surgery and worked with my family so thoughtfully. 

W