Melinda Donahue
Thomas - your post was inspirational and up lifting. Thank you! So happy you are doing so well.
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Thomas's Posts
Diagnosis: Mitral Regurgitation
Member Since: May 31, 2018
Member Since: May 31, 2018
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Thomas Brusstar posted an update
10 months ago (July 17, 2025)
Today is my 7-year "valversary." My mitral valve repair is still all good.
I still like getting an annual echo for peace of mind, but it isn't really necessary. My cardiologists tell me my valve is all good, but they're happy enough to see me if I want. My other... Read more.
Rose Madura
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary Thomas. Glad your heart is doing well.
Thomas Brusstar
Thanks for your support!
Susan Lynn
Happy Anniversary, Thomas! Those 7 years flew by!!! Sorry to read about your other health challenges, but you're right about the resilience we all developed after heart surgery. Whatever it is, you'll face it with the same confidence! Stay in touch, Thomas!
Thomas Brusstar
Thanks, Susan Lynn!
Thomas Brusstar posted an update
1 year ago (July 17, 2024)
Today is my 6th Valve-versary. My mitral valve was repaired at Northwestern, and went from a "flail" disaster to zero leakage after a little 90-minute nap. It's still doing well today. Several friends have had valve surgery since, and it's nice to be able to provide some reassurance based on... Read more.
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Adam Pick, Pamela Gregory and
reacted to this
Thomas, Congratulations on your 6th anniversary!!! That is wonderful!!! I'm so happy to learn that Dr. McCarthy and his team at Northwestern took such great care of you! P.S. I've never heard a patient describe heart surgery as a "little nap". š šā¤ļøš
Thomas,
Congrats on your 6 year anniversary!
You are lucky to have had Dr McCarthy for your surgery. He is not really doing surgeries any longer, as he is now the executive director. Dr. Johnston is now the head of cardiac surgery and is from Cleveland Clinic. I do hope... Read more.
Happy Anniversary Thomas!
Congratulations on 6 years Thomas! šš»šš»šš»
Wow! Those six years flew by!! Glad you're doing well, Tom! Happy Anniversary! ā¤ļøx6
Happy anniversary Tom. šā¤ļø
Congrats, and thank you for that reassurance :)
Congrats
Thomas Brusstar posted an update
2 years ago (November 2, 2023)
I had a successful valve repair 5 years ago. I get an annual echo just as a checkup. I don't mind getting the echo at all, but I'll admit I'm so paranoid. The echo technician said a staff cardiologist would prepare a report and give it to my cardiologist before... Read more.
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Grace Mason reacted to this
Be positive. Odds are it means nothing
I agree with Richard. She was probably just covering her bases.
I wouldn't worry God has this š
Hoping you hear soon for peace of mind and that everything looks great ā¤ļøš¤š. Waiting is so hard....
Thanks. I'm just worrying for no reason. Although the only other time the tech said something was the first time I was told I needed to see a cardiologist, which led right to surgery. She said "have you ever had an trans-esophageal echo?" That seemed ominous, and it was!
Usually the techs don't say anything but don't worry until you have to. Worry is the opposite of faith. š
The narrative report from the staff cardiologist was just posted, and I don't see anything bad in it! Interestingly, my left atrium volume has come down into the normal range for the first time. I know re-modeling happens, but it came down significantly in the last year (now 5 years... Read more.
Great to hear! š
Great!
Richard was right
Surgeon Spotlight
Dr. Christopher Heid is a leading cardiac surgeon at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas who specializes in heart valve repair and replacement operations.
Heart Hospital Map
Search for heart hospitals that specialize in heart valve treatment.