Tanja Duffey - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1 week post-op

Journal posted on August 7, 2016

I had the CorMatrix tricuspid valve placed on Monday, Aug 1st. I was discharged from Mayo on Friday afternoon and am home recovering nicely.

Like | Elaine Cutri, Wanda Mroz and 1 other likes this

Elaine Cutri Congratulations. Best wishes on a speedy recovery!

Catie B Congrats, Tanja. That's great to hear. Hope things get better and better for you.

Conrad Skowronski Congrats, Tanja. Mayo is a wonderful hospital. I had my AVR in Mayo - Phoenix 2 weeks ago. Keep up the wonderful recovery.

Ben Hyman Congrats on your succesful procedure! I'm thinking of getting an evaluation at Mayo for my Mitral Regurgitation to see if I'm a candidate for Robotic. What ... Read more

Ben Hyman Congrats on your succesful procedure! I'm thinking of getting an evaluation at Mayo for my Mitral Regurgitation to see if I'm a candidate for Robotic. What did you think of Dearani and his team and the care that you received?

Tanja Duffey I am truly impressed by the level of knowledge, expertise and care given by Dr. Dearani. He helped me when no one else would or could!

Here's my newest picture!

July 31, 2016 Like | Conrad Skowronski, Elaine Cutri, Wanda Mroz and 3 others like this

At the Heart Walk!

Catie B Love the red boa!

Surgery tomorrow, August 1

Journal posted on July 31, 2016

The only thing left to do now is shower 2 times with the special soap and use a nasal antibiotic. I don't know what time the surgery is yet; the earlier, the better!

Like | Joanne Casserly, Tina Maroon likes this

Conrad Skowronski I pray for a successful surgery and speed recovery.

Roni Reinhold You'll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow for a speedy recovery.

Tanja Duffey Thank you!

Richard Davis Best of luck! I'm 2 weeks post opt, feeling better each day, and so will you, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

Ron Broadhead Best wishes to you for a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.

Wanda Mroz Best wishes and prayers for a smooth surgery and recovery! 💞

Barbara Laurie Tanja, praying now for a great surgery and stress free recovery.. Best Regards! 💕❤️💕

Kevin Shackelford Wishing you a successful and flawless surgery and a speedy recovery!

Tina Maroon Wow wishing you a successful surgery. Prayers to you!!

Corey Sines Prayers for you during Surgery and recovery!

Catie B Praying for you, Tanja. Hope all goes very smoothly.

Tricuspid valve replacement surgery set for Monday.

Journal posted on July 28, 2016

I am having my tricuspid valve replaced on Monday at the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Dearani is my surgeon. I am going to have a CorMatrix ECM valve put in as part of a clinical trial. This valve is a platform that will allow me to literally grow a new valve!

Like | Kevin Shackelford and 2 others like this

Tanja Duffey I am going to Mayo tomorrow for all the pre-op appointments. I am nervous to have to have another open heart surgery less than 8 months after the last one ... Read more

Tanja Duffey I am going to Mayo tomorrow for all the pre-op appointments. I am nervous to have to have another open heart surgery less than 8 months after the last one but I am excited to have a chance to help advance the research on the CorMatrix valve.

Cheryl Ventimiglia Tanja you are in my thoughts in prayers.

Tanja Duffey Thank you!

Catie B Best wishes on your surgery and recovery, Tanja! Hope things go extra super smooth. Sorry that you need a reoperation so soon.
What cutting-edge technology you're participating in--amazing!

Darlene Smith Wow, that sounds amazing! Good luck and I will be thinking of you!

Kate Watson Wow, that's pretty cool to be a part of of. I wish everything goes well for you!

Tricuspid stenosis after valve repair

Journal posted on May 26, 2016

I had my tricuspid valve repaired 5 months ago. I had developed severe tricuspid valve regurgitation after a pacemaker lead infection, which led to symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath. Now I have been told I have severe tricuspid stenosis. I am having a hard time functioning on a daily basis. I can barely walk up a flight of stairs. I was told that my only option is symptom management. I want to know if I am a candidate for a tricuspid valve replacement? I have yet to find a doctor who will tell me what to expect with my current situation. Has anyone out there undergone a tricuspid valve replacement after having undergone a tricuspid valve repair? I don't want to develop a-fib or heart failure. I am only 53. I've had a pacemaker since 1999 for sick sinus syndrome.

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Lori Phillips I am so sorry. I'm going to have a tricuspid valve replacement OR repair. I was assuming they don't know until they get in thete whether it will be a replacement ... Read more

Lori Phillips I am so sorry. I'm going to have a tricuspid valve replacement OR repair. I was assuming they don't know until they get in thete whether it will be a replacement or repair. So in your case, it would have been better if they had replaced it?

Denise Campbell The stenosis formed around your repaired valve in five months? Maybe you should give serious thought to mechanical replacement. Coumadin has to be better ... Read more

Denise Campbell The stenosis formed around your repaired valve in five months? Maybe you should give serious thought to mechanical replacement. Coumadin has to be better then a third surgery. I'm praying for you. May God give you the strength you'll need to get through this.

Denise Campbell I just re read your post. Are u saying that your doctor said you have no surgical options? You need a new doctor. Quickly get a second opinion.

Lori Phillips Without any other info, Denise sounds right. Maybe it's time for fresh eyes on it. God Bless.

Tanja Duffey I am actively seeking another opinion and hoping to find a surgeon who will do a valve replacement! The surgeon that did the repair told me all I could do ... Read more

Tanja Duffey I am actively seeking another opinion and hoping to find a surgeon who will do a valve replacement! The surgeon that did the repair told me all I could do was manage my symptoms. It's been very difficult to have undergone OHS to feel worse than before and then to be told this is how I get to live. I have an appointment at Loyola next month to see if a surgeon there can help me.
And it seems the stenosis was an immediate result of the repair and I was not told this until March when I had an echo done.
I am so tired and short of breath all the time. I was so hoping to feel better after the repair.

Wanda Mroz This doesn't sound right. Definitely 2nd opinion because there should be some option! Best of luck and do keep us posted.💞

Denise Campbell I agree with Wanda. Something seems wrong.

Enrique K I concur with everyone. Would get at least 3 opinions, not 2. You want to make sure you are very comfortable with your surgeon.

Tina Maroon I had a Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty repair last year 2015. I worry mine won't last either and that it will need replaced. Let us know what the doctor says ... Read more

Tina Maroon I had a Tricuspid Valve Annuloplasty repair last year 2015. I worry mine won't last either and that it will need replaced. Let us know what the doctor says about replacing the Tricuspid Valve. I will be thinking of you.