Written By: Adam Decide, Affected person Advocate, Writer & Web site Founder
Revealed: Could 19, 2024
I’ve stated it earlier than and I stay up for saying it once more… Listening to from sufferers about their coronary heart valve success tales stays my favourite a part of working this web site.
For instance, right here is the incredible affected person story of Koert Takkunen, a 52-year bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurysm affected person from El Dorado Hills, California (which is simply exterior of Sacramento).
On March 6, Koert known as me to debate his therapy choices. Given his prognosis, Koert was to study extra in regards to the Ross Process which is a sophisticated type of aortic valve substitute that has a number of affected person benefits in comparison with mechanical and bioprosthetic valve replacements together with survival, sturdiness and quality-of-life.
After watching this instructional webinar that options Dr. Paul Stelzer and Dr. Ismail El-Hamamsy discussing the affected person benefits of the Ross Process, Koert wished to get a second opinion from Dr. Stelzer.
So you realize, Dr. Stelzer is a world-renowned Ross Process surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Particular to the Ross Process, Dr. Stelzer is also known as a “dwelling legend” as he has carried out 829 Ross Procedures.
Probably the most superb factor occurred subsequent.
Inside hours of connecting Koert with Dr. Stelzer’s workplace, Koert was scheduled for a seek the advice of with Dr. Stelzer. Shortly thereafter, Koert scheduled his surgical procedure for early Could.
After His Ross Process, Koert Says…
On Could 17, I used to be glad to obtain the next replace from Koert:
Adam, Hope you’re properly. I’m one week post-op and I noticed Dr. Stelzer earlier as we speak. I used to be cleared to journey house from New York to California tonight. I walked 3.2 miles earlie as we speak and hit a spirometer studying of 2500.
Most days I don’t really feel like I want the Tylenol and I’m utterly off the oxycontin.
So you realize, Dr. Stelzer and Dr. Robin Varghese had been equal companions in my surgical procedure. Every physician was intimately concerned with each element of the method and really constructive final result to date.
There have been so many different key members in surgical procedure that supported these two in my final result, in my extraordinarily quick ICU keep, and my fast restoration. The intensive care unit nurses and step down nurses additionally key. Whereas extra of an administrator, Dr. Stelzer’s right-hand girl, Maria Cruz, was on high of scheduling and coordination that diminished my stress up too, throughout and after surgical procedure.
I’m so grateful to you… Past phrases. If I can ever be of help to a different affected person, please don’t hesitate to name on me. I’m in debt. Thanks!
Woo-Hoo! Go Koert! Go!
Wait! What? A Video from Koert’s Operation?
Then, in a shock follow-up e mail, Koert knowledgeable me that Dr. Stelzer had given Koert a video filmed throughout his operation. As you will note under, this video clearly exhibits the extreme stenosis of Koert’s aortic valve as one of many leaflets… does… not… transfer. Yikes!
Koert wrote to me, “The video exhibits how dangerous my valve was.”
Thanks Koert! Thanks Dr. Stelzer & Mount Sinai!
I’m so very grateful to Koert for offering me the chance to be of service to him all through his journey to a wholesome coronary heart. Like me, Koert is a SCUBA diver. Hopefully, sometime sooner or later, the 2 of us would possibly be capable of go on a dive collectively. (For extra, see “17 Years After Ross Process, I SCUBA Dive”.)
And, many, many, many due to Dr. Paul Stelzer and your complete group at Mount Sinai for taking such nice care of Koert so shortly. Nice job Mount Sinai!
Associated Hyperlinks:
Carry on tickin’ Koert and Dr. Stelzer!
Adam