Beth's Profile

Searching for a new primary care physician several years ago began my faulty valve journey. Her first question was “do you have a heart murmur?” I found myself having an echocardiogram within a few days...diagnosis bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. I found a trusted cardiologist and we’ve been keeping an eye on how the stenosis is progressing every six month's for a few years now. This year was different. My cardiologist was more insistent about getting the valve replaced and before I left his office, I had a referral for a surgeon at Northwestern Hospital. In September I went for some tests (CT scan and very thorough echo) and met with 2 surgeons, one TAVR and the other OHS. After seeing the TAVR device and knowing another replacement will be necessary in the future, I’ve decided on OHS and a tissue valve. My surgery date is set for January 6, 2020 and I’m already nervous. And I am extremely grateful. Grateful that there are options and looking forward to feeling less fatigue.