Melissa's Profile

At 4 years old, I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve - most likely my pediatrician noted a murmur on exam, then referred me to Children's Hospital of Michigan in Detroit . Except for one lapse of 7 years between visits (sometimes life happens!), I was followed closely by cardiologists and with echocardiograms. I started out as a child getting them every 2 years, then yearly, and finally every 6 months. My cardiologist had noted gradual worsening of my aortic stenosis, and my most recent echo in Nov 2016 clearly showed severe aortic stenosis. After my case was presented at a surgical case conference with cardiologists and congenital heart surgeons, I have been scheduled for surgery in May 2017. No urgency in the matter, but it is time to get rid of my old, cruddy aortic valve. I'm ready for a new On-X valve and look forward to being able to run without getting short of breath and dizzy!