Vaughn's Journal

I am sorry but I guess I didn't fully tell my story. Hi, I'm Vaughn Johnson. When I came upon Dr. Adams I was at my wits end. I was being seen at the VA Hospital. I had been admitted 5 Times for my heart. I had become a regular in their ICU for about 6 months. When I was born it was at home. somehow I contracted Rheumatic Fever and it progressed into Rheumatic Heart. The symptoms were so slight I never knew about the heart problem until much, much later. At the age of 62ys old I had also contracted COPD. After seeing my assigned VA Hospital cardiologist I was told I had a leaking valve. Later I was told that I had THREE leaking Valves. Thus began the medicine regime. I was prescribed so many pills that my stomach couldn't take much more. The look on my wife's face made me want to cry. The cardiologist brought in a cardiologist from Hersey Medical in Hershey Pa. That cardiologist and my assigned cardiologist both told me that my condition was as such that my condition wasn't poor enough that I was not yet at death's door. That is what I would have to wait for until before they would and or could perform surgery. Once at home I decided to do research into my condition. I found Cleveland Clinic. So after contacting them my Wife and I went there. We spent a week there and I got the same story from the Cardiologist there. I was denied conversation with a surgeon. So we left back home on the Amtrak Train. Once back at home I was not going to resign myself to waiting until I had no strength left and at the point of dying before I could have surgery. I could not believe what what was happening. My wife was now all but distraught and so was I, But I was not giving up on my self. I called back to Cleveland Clinic and finally talked to a Surgeon. To my surprise it was The head of Dr. Swenson the head of Cardiology Surgery. His conversation with me was short and to his point. In short, He would not attempt my surgery unless I was near death. His manner was bland, cold and direct. The conversation was over. Well this is my LIFE and I was not a vegetable and ready to just give up. Finally I found Doctor Adams. His internet ad said "Call me". So I called. After an initial appointment during which he stated to me and my Wife "I can help you.". After a few tests I had my Surgery. I'm talking Three valve surgery. He repaired my Mitral Valve, He repaired my Tricuspid valve both with banding then replaced my Aortic Valve with a Tissue Valve. He attempted an Ablation but my right ventricle walls had expanded to the point that he was not able to continue with the ablation so it remained partial. I had to be admitted to VA ICU again because my heart as a Arterial Flutter. Sometimes (many ) times my heart rate is 120 beats or more. After five medication attempts I was Prescribed a medication that keeps my heart rate down. Sometimes later in the day I have to take a second pill that puts me at 740 milligrams. The Max amount. So now I look for a Doctor to fix my Arterial Flutter. So it looks like I'm back to Mt. Sinai.

The doctors told me that most patients after valve surgery and have COPD that the COPD becomes worse but gets better as you recover. It's still kind of hard to traverse stairs. But once at the top, a rest period is still needed but not as long a time. Got my cards from Medtronic so as to identify me as a person with Heart Prosthetics. I was 63yrs old at surgery and soon to be 64yrs. I use to put people into Restraints for a living but I did maintain advanced medical training for 31 years. I am and will be glad to hear from people in our heart club. Be Back!

Hello, I am a patient who had a Triple Heart Valve operation. My surgery date was Feb. 2, 2018. I had mitral valve repair, tricuspid valve repair and an aortic valve replacement. I had rings placed on the repaired valves. At this stage in my recovery I am well. I will give more details later. Thank you Adam for a place to tell my story of new birth. I will be back.