Lee's Profile

I am 46 years old and I have two teenage kids. I am a single mom for the most part (ex lives in another country). I found out last week that I will need a Mitral Valve Repair or possibly replacement after my latest Echo and TEE. I knew I had Mitral Valve Prolapse but never anticipated that it would get worse to the point that I needed surgery. I had three surgical consults, two of them said they thought it could be repaired with the minimally invasive approach and the third said he wants to do the full Sternoctomy. I have decided to go with Dr. Kenneth Herskowitz in Ft.Lauderdale with the minimally invasive approach. If it can't be repaired, I have chosen the Tissue valve because I don't want to be on Coumedin. Since I am young, I assume if I get the replacement, I will have the valve in valve replacement down the road if this one wears out. My biggest challenge right now is trying to determine how much to let my kids see their friends until my surgery takes place. I now realize that I am at high risk if I get Covid so it is a balancing act trying to let them have some semblance of a social life with neighborhood friends until my surgery and not putting myself at more exposure risk. My brother and his wife and kids plan to come stay with me for four weeks once I have the surgery which is a true blessing. I am enjoying reading everyone else's posts, this website is wonderful tool for those who have to undergo heart valve surgery!!!