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In the early 90's I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis. At the time, my cardiologist said he couldn't get an aortic valve for me. I had a heart murmur for many years.
More recently, my cardiologist, who used to work at University of Maryland, tested me and he told me I needed an aortic valve replacement. My main symptom was shortness of breath. I used to run, but I got so out of breath I couldn't run anymore, so I started to walk. I also had a breathing problem at the doctor's office and then they discovered it was problem with my aortic valve.
My cardiologist told me about the University of Maryland Heart Center because he couldn't do the surgery minimally invasively and they could. So I went. The surgeon said he was going to do a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement using a small incision between the ribs.
I had the minimally invasive aortic valve replacement surgery on July 4, 2005. I recovered very well. The surgery was completely successful and the valve has held up well. Now I can walk two miles a day.
My surgeon was great. I gave him a big reward—a pen with his name inscribed in it. My son runs a pen store so he made the pen for me.
My new valve works well. I feel better and everything's fine.
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