Marie's Posts

First thank you all so much for the prayers and concern. I'm here at Mayo in MN. It is the most amazing medical complex I have seen. The level of precision and care was inspiring. Yesterday I had the most comprehensive and impressive echocardiogram of my life, and I have been having them for over 20 years. It took an hour and a half and many images, and was done by not just a tech but also a cardiac intensivist, and another MD was next door, also reviewing the films and consulting with the intensivist. I also had other tests as expected. Today I saw a cardiologist and the top cardiothoracic surgeon here. They were delightfully kind people. ( I can't believe I'm saying that about doctors.)The Mayo echo, blood work, and all other tests here confirmed one another. Much different results were found than my LV cardiology tests, and some different results than Cleveland. All were reviewed and compared side by side. Differences between the 3, and the trending of the numbers and previous tests were all done. I do need valve surgery, and it will need to be full valve replacement, possibly 2 valves, and not repair because of the type of leak...someday, but not yet. It might be a year from now, or 10 years, but now is not the time. Had I stayed in Cleveland, and had the original surgery, or accepted their substitute surgeon, or proceeded with treatment in Las Vegas based on the test results there, I would be recovering now from needless open heart surgery. These were gentle and knowledgeable clinicians, who took time to review, explain, and answer every question - who really want to help people and actually live by the Hippocratic oath rather than the almighty dollar they get from cutting. They don't cut needlessly. For now, You may think that I am crazy and might be right. but we trust this, (and I never trust doctors) and I am more grateful to God than I can say. Why we had to go through all this, and take you along for the ride, I do not know. Someday He will tell us. Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For those of you having surgery on Monday and Tuesday: may God keep you in perfect peace, guide each surgeon's hands and thinking, and bless the patient and the entire care team. I pray for a quick and complete recovery, an excellent inpatient experience, and a happy and fulfilling life for each of you: Jerry Grimes Nancy Schnarr Robert D'Aurora Corey Sines We are with you!