Miriam's Journal

Ginny Turner  Hi Miriam. I'm glad you've shared with the group. There's a lot of support and encouragement here. I'm sorry you're facing a difficult decision and understand there are no easy answers. I can tell you have researched thoroughly and have consulted with the best. I am 12 weeks from my mitral and tricuspid repairs and Maze procedure at the Cleveland Clinic and couldn't have been more pleased with their care and professionalism. The doctors and staff are top notch and perform miracles every day, including very complex surgeries. Logistically, everything about going from Texas to Cleveland for surgery was easy and there is a hospital concierge available to help with accommodations.

We lived in the DC area for many years and in McLean in the Chesterbrook Woods neighborhood for over 10 years. I have very fond memories of our time in McLean. I wish you the best, Miriam, and hope you find confidence and peace through this challenging time. All good wishes and prayers!

Martin Smith  Hi Miriam. Sorry to learn that your diagnosis is more challenging than what you'd hoped for. Take your time before making decisions about your next steps. Meanwhile, my family joins me in wishing you strength and peace of mind.

Deena Elani  Hi Miriam, that's a lot to take-in from your visit to the Cleveland Clinic. Might want to get a second opinion, even though the Cleveland Clinic is considered the very best, there may be a surgeon elsewhere that also specializes in this challenging surgery. -- for example, Mayo in Rochester, Minnesota. It didn't sound like you were given a number of options, but I would think there would be. Thinking of you

Richard Munson  Wow, miriam, you have a lot to consider. My paltry mitral valve surgery pales in comparison but i was 79 so don’t make age a factor. No idea how old you are of course. I am now 80, and feeling well enough to be bringing a new puppy into our life. I have been down but not out after our recent cassie loss and now i feel like a new person. Hang in there kid. 

Richard Munson  An additional thought was my heart surgeon at mass general in boston was serguei melnichuk ( butchered spelling) operated on my neighbor and no one else wanted to touch her after a couple of botched heart surgeries at another boston hospital. She is doing fine. He may not be the answer but now you know. 

Miriam St.Clair  Thank you for all of the kind and supportive comments. I feel much better just reading them and knowing all of you who understand the most are out there cheering me on. I'm still in a bit of a daze as I thought there was some hope for a TAVR, which I was told could take the stress off the tricuspid and mitral valves and reduce their regurgitation. I'm considering second opinions after I take all of this in and Deena, the Mayo Clinic is high on the list. Richard, the Mass General is also on the list as they wrote a very comprehensive paper on the high risk of this surgery and they seem to have a lot of experience with these cases. Thank you for providing me with a name to start with. The Cleveland Clinic is great and they were so efficient and nice when I was there but this was a huge let down. Ginny, I'm so glad your experience was good at the CC. They are very professional. We've lived in Kent Gardens for 30 years so you were my near neighbor in Chesterbrook Woods when you were here. Thanks to all of you again. You have no idea how good it was to hear from all of you.

Timothy Andre  Miriam, thank you for sharing your story with the group. This is definitely the place to get support for such a difficult challenge that you face. You did good by starting with the Cleveland Clinic. They are an amazing center for heart health. However, I agree with getting a second opinion. Take a deep breath, stay positive and trust that the right answers will come to you. Good luck to you and God bless

Miriam St.Clair  Thank you so much Timothy. I believe in staying positive and this group always is there for me to keep me on the right path. I have a lot of faith in the Cleveland Clinic but because of the nature of my issues, a second opinion might give me some more insight so I'm looking now for other centers, especially the ones suggested here. Thanks again.

Rose Madura  Oh Miriam, such a tough pill to swallow. I'm an advocate for 2nd opinions. I'm sorry for your report. Please keep us posted on your journey. Godspeed!

Miriam St.Clair  Yes, I saw that he was Ukrainian! He seems excellent and I'm planning on contacting his office today. The Mass General has always stood tall in my eyes.

Ginny Turner  Miriam, yes, we certainly were neighbors in McLean! I agree with all who have replied to you about second opinions. My surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic was a second opinion for me. As others have said, the more information you have, the better equipped you are to make the best decision. The right surgeon/team is out there and you're doing the legwork to find them. We're cheering for you!

Richard Munson  Miriam , he spent an easy hour on the phone with me in the midst of covid a year ago explaining every facet of his surgical plan and it was calming to me. My mass general cardiologist dr. Jacob dal bianco was also great but i think he is more of a mitral valve guy. They all have their specialities. Both doctors consulted on my surgery. I think the team concept at mgh is a good thing. Also i cannot say enough about the supporting staff in the cardio wing. All top notch. 

Thomas Brusstar  A friend consulted at CC and then also at Vanderbilt.  He ended up getting his surgery done at Vandy, as they were more willing to fix his valve (they used a transarterial placement of a mitraclip) despite his age (80+ at the time).  Just in case you feel like another option, he liked Vandy.

Miriam St.Clair  Thank you! My sister lives near Nashville and this would be a good option for me. I also like the idea of the non-surgical approach. Surgical outcomes are very poor for patients in my group.

Janelle Hurst  I haven't had surgery yet or even had surgical consults, but in my research it seemed that Dr. Marc Gerdisch at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis is very skilled. There are some videos from him on this site and lots of reviews. I am in the process of getting a consult with him (and also Cleveland Clinic). My case is not as complicated as yours but I still want the best! :) Did you know you can request information from doctors through this site? I've used that for 3 doctors and 2/3 got ahold of me within 2 days.

Miriam St.Clair  Thank you! I have read that Franciscan is very good but didn't know any specific surgeons. I''m dong the virtual second opinion through The Cleveland Clinic, which should be ready in about a week. I didn't know I could just request information from the doctors so I'll also try that. Thank you again!

john roland  My wife and I stayed at the Inter continental suites for 3 weeks. It was very nice because it had 2 rooms for guests. Before my surgery we stayed at the Holiday Inn Cleveland Clinic which was a little cheaper but only had 1 room. I would go to the Cleveland Clinic because there is not many complications they have not dealt with. Good luck and stay strong.

Carlos Banuelos  Hi Miriam, I’m sorry that you’re going through all of this. Cleveland Clinics definitely sounds like the right place for a complicated surgery. I rented a nearby Airbnb which was great to have both before and after surgery. My parents and gf were there to help every step of the way. Had they not been there, I would have stayed at the intercontinental hotel connected by a bridge to the hospital. Good luck with everything.

Miriam St.Clair  Thank you John and Carlos for the information about your stays in Cleveland. Your experiences are very helpful. I have a video conference with Dr. Douglas Johnston from the Cleveland Clinic this Wednesday, after he reviews all of my records. He's had many cases similar to mine so I'm confident in whatever decision he makes about what is best for me. Thanks again!