Linda Still

After coming home from Mesquite Nevada this spring I met with Dr Melnitchouk at Mass General to discuss cardiac surgery to repair my mitral valve and replace my aortic valve.  I was prepared to say no and wait another year, but after seeing my valves in action on my echocardiogram I decided to have the operation.  On July 3 Dr Melnitchouk performed open heart surgery.  He found major calcification as he replaced both valves. When he moved toward closing up the heart and refilling the heart with blood he found the back of the heart leaking. The total operating time turned into twelve hours instead of three to four hours, leaving my body compromised with much extra fluid and sedation. Instead of 12-24 hours in the ICU I spent over four weeks there on life support, healing slowly.