Suelynn Hanegraaf - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update on My 10+ Yr Bovine Aortic Valve

Journal posted on October 18, 2021

Met with Leonardo Rodriguez, MD, interventional cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic late last month. He originally had speculated from my echo (and past echos) that I may be due for a replacement in 3-4 years. BUT, now, he has changed his mind and it may be earlier - in 2 years - due to my allergist & immunologist and gastroenterologist discovering nickel allergy as the reason for my rapidly increasing allergies and progressively worsening gastro issues. While I always knew that I was sensitive to nickel jewelry, I did not know that nickel is also in all foods, and of course, I learned that nickel is in the wiring and mesh that holds my bovine valve. In the meantime, I use a Nickel Navigator app to keep track of the amount of nickel I am eating (trying to stay below a certain threshold). It's been a journey. I have always said this - my heart surgery is simple next to my allergies but what I didn't know is that my aortic valve replacement back in 2011, in essence, greatly contributed to my allergy overload and has caused other health issues. When I look back at health records, I started having problems with allergies and g.i. issues approximately 1 year after my valve surgery. Curious - Do you or anyone you know have a metal sensitivity issue to a surgical implantable device?

Like |

Marie Myers Yes. My neighbor had both her total knees done within a few months of each other. She then started having some ongoing issues, like redness, swelling, and pain. ... Read more

Marie Myers Yes. My neighbor had both her total knees done within a few months of each other. She then started having some ongoing issues, like redness, swelling, and pain. It was eventually determined that she had an allergy to nickel in the implants, and eventually had both total knee replacements re-done with nickel free implants. It was a long road for her, but things are finally heading in the right direction . Wishing you all the best in your journey!

Janelle Hurst I am so glad you shared this...I know I have a sensitivity to nickel from wearing earrings. I have been told I need mitral valve repair surgery, and after ... Read more

Janelle Hurst I am so glad you shared this...I know I have a sensitivity to nickel from wearing earrings. I have been told I need mitral valve repair surgery, and after reading your post I did a little research and it looks like the annuloplasty ring may contain nickel. I will definitely make sure that no products with nickel get placed in my body. Thank you for sharing!

Here's my newest picture!

November 9, 2018 Like | Dan Baltazor, Phyllis Petersen, Mark Wilbur and 5 others like this

My husband, Phil, and I at Claude Monet's gardens in Giverny, France

Nancy Luth Beautiful! Was there years ago

Mark Wilbur Lucky you! We hope to see the gardens there, someday.

Susan Lynn Absolutely spectacular!!! Beautiful couple!

Rob Sparling Very cool photo! Beautiful place and romantic. Celebrate each day and each other.

Suelynn Hanegraaf Thank you! Had a wonderful vacation touring Paris, Giverny, Amsterdam and Kinderdijk - a trip of a lifetime with my husband of 38 years. :)

Update posted on...

May 24, 2018

Hi My Heart Valve Community! A couple of weeks ago, after my early May echo, I was informed that my Edwards pericardial tissue heart valve needs replacement (severe stenosis) . . . so after 7 years, I am, once again, looking at cardio-thoracic surgeons especially now, that (my very bright Cleveland Clinic surgeon is now the CEO of Cleveland Clinic! By the way, Adam, your book and website is amazing, and I cannot thank you enough. You are helping me once again!

I am scheduled to see a surgeon at Cleveland Clinic early July and another one locally (live in the Chicago area).

My question to those in the community who have undergone tissue valve replacement or repair twice - how did it go the second time around? Can they just repair it?

Like | Willie Radl likes this

Debbie Chatzky Hi Suelynn. I am having a second mitral
Valve surgery on the 31st. The first was a repair with a ring that developed stenosis. Is your tissue valve repair bovine ... Read more

Debbie Chatzky Hi Suelynn. I am having a second mitral
Valve surgery on the 31st. The first was a repair with a ring that developed stenosis. Is your tissue valve repair bovine or your own tissue? I interviewed surgeons at Cleveland Clinc and Northwestern in Chicago. I also live on Chocago area. I chose Dr Patrick McCarthy at Northwestern. He trained at CC and is very skilled
Having performed over 4,000 valve surgeries. Best of luck!

Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Debbie! Thank you for reaching out. My valve is bovine (done minimally invasive at Cleveland Clinic; not a repair though). I am scheduled to see Dr Gang ... Read more

Suelynn Hanegraaf Hi Debbie! Thank you for reaching out. My valve is bovine (done minimally invasive at Cleveland Clinic; not a repair though). I am scheduled to see Dr Gang at Northwestern and the cardiology team at Cleveland Clinic in July. Just wondering how they "go in" again?