4 valves replaced

[DENISE]

I am 39 yrs old I have had 4 aortic valves replaced the first was a st jude, because of not being able to take cumidin and having a stroke it was replaced. the second one was a new procedure a porcine freestyle valve which lasted longer than the rest but then developed an anurism and was replaced again then I developed a MRSA infection which ate through my sternum and also the replacement parts in my heart. after months of IV antibiotics they replaced it with a human tissue valve which now is leaking severly, I am said to be at stage 3 congestive heart failure and they say that another surgery would be dangerous I am wondering why can I not be a canidate for heart transplant and is there some kind of new procedure at Cleveland hosp. that could help me?
your ideas would be greatly appreciated.  Thank You

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

Dear Denise,
I'm sorry to hear of all you have been through.  You have really had almost all the options for aortic valve surgery.  I suppose one other option would be the Ross procedure where your own pulmonic valve is placed in the aortic position and a new tissue valve placed back in the pulmonic position. Dr. Petterson is doing this procedure in Cleveland.  Transplant would only be the very last resort but is a possibility if you are having severe heart failure.  You could be evaluated at the heart failure clinic here to see if you would qualify for either of these options.  Good luck.

[james]

Hello Denise.  I just wanted to say hello and wish you the best of luck.  Never can have enough people praying for you.  I hope they can do something cause it seems like you have been through far more Hell then anyone should have to go through. I wish you the best of luck with your future treatments and hope that they can for once get you situated with a heart valve that doesn't end of just needing more repairs.  I have had two operations myself one to restructure my aortic valve and the other one to replace it and I know from my own experience how awful it is to be sick.  Well I hope you are getting better and if you ever want to talk you can email me at ***@****  Well I hope it all works out for you.  Best of Luck.

[Chris Benavidez]

Dear Denise,

I just want to wish you the best in regards to your condition, hopefully you can get this thing put behind you once and for all.  I know what your going though, I had my aortic valve replaced in May of 97, however, going through it as many times as you have takes a real soldier.  Stay positive and keep the faith.  If you need a penpal or someone who can relate to what your going through please feel free to e-mail me at anytime.

Young at Heart,
Chris
***@****

[Chris Benavidez]

Dear Denise,

I just want to wish you the best in regards to your condition, hopefully you can get this thing put behind you once and for all.  I know what your going though, I had my aortic valve replaced in May of 97, however, going through it as many times as you have takes a real soldier.  Stay positive and keep the faith.  If you need a penpal or someone who can relate to what your going through please feel free to e-mail me at anytime.

Young at Heart,
Chris
***@****

[Chris Benavidez]

Dear Denise,

I just want to wish you the best in regards to your condition, hopefully you can get this thing put behind you once and for all.  I know what your going though, I had my aortic valve replaced in May of 97, however, going through it as many times as you have takes a real soldier.  Stay positive and keep the faith.  If you need a penpal or someone who can relate to what your going through please feel free to e-mail me at anytime.

Young at Heart,
Chris
***@****

[Ben, Ohio]

I am really sorry to hear all that you have been through.
I will pray for you on a daily basis.
I reccomend going to Cleveland Clinic, everyone says they are the best. The more opinions you have the more sure you can be that what you are being told is accurate.
There are some good support pages out there        :http://www.westga.edu/~wmaples/aaa.html   (aneurysm support page)
http://clubs.snap.com/theheartplace/index.lhtml

[Ben, Ohio]

I am really sorry to hear all that you have been through.
I will pray for you on a daily basis.
I reccomend going to Cleveland Clinic, everyone says they are the best. The more opinions you have the more sure you can be that what you are being told is accurate.
There are some good support pages out there        :http://www.westga.edu/~wmaples/aaa.html   (aneurysm support page)
http://clubs.snap.com/theheartplace/index.lhtml

[Elaine]

Denise..I too am sorry that you have been through so much. I have had mitral valve repair and then aortic valve repair. The last surgery was done at Cleveland and I highly recommend that you go there. I know of another person who only received help after seeing doctors in Cleveland.  They truly know their stuff, and you will see people going there from all over the world, which tells you something about their reputation. Good luck to you.

[nancy spiegel]

hello, i am writng about my daughter she just a on smething called zesteril,she has a valve that is not pumping blood right. she lives in denver and is only 32.she is very scared.they are going to try and give her this medicine to see if it helps .could somone talk to me about this .thank you.hope i can find this page againn will check back in a few days.

[Ela]

To Nancy..you need to post your own question in order to get an answer from a doctor.  They cannot answer you under someone else's question.

[Hank G. Eyring]

Denise,

We have a great support group going for valve replacement surgery patients.  We have a lot to offer in the way of person to person help for your trying situation.

Go to our website (www.valvereplacement.com) and make an entry in the guestbook and I will help you become a member.

You can learn from us and we can learn from you.

Thanks and hope to see you soon.

Hank Eyring
***@****