Many Thanks to CC
Many Thanks to CC
Many,Thanks,to,CC
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I found out I had a bicuspid aortic valve and an ascending aorta aneurysm in October of 2007 as I turned 49. I was feeling no side effects and I have had a very active life style and I try to keep up with my two boys ages 10 and 13 and all I thought was that I was never going to be able to do the activities I have enjoyed with my sons again. I was going to have open heart surgery and I thought it meant I was going to have to take it easy from here on out. I was wrong.

I was referred to the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Svensson and he decided that I was not operational but that we would closely monitor the aneurysm. In July of 2008, they contacted me and scheduled the surgery to replace my ascending aorta and repair my aortic valve for July 24, 2008 and to arrive July 21st for testing. I will admit even after much research I was still very nervous about everything but from my very first test I knew I was at the right place. Everyone was so caring and explained everything to me as the week went on. The days were long due to everything but no one ever treated me with anything but kindness and understanding. My first meeting with Dr. Svensson was the day before surgery and he explained the procedure and what I could expect afterwords. Still the nerves were in high gear but the staff from the orderly that took me up to the prep room to the OR nurses had nothing but kind words and reassurance, their confidence helped to calm me. Ten days later and two surgeries I walked out of the hospital, not wheeled, due to an outstanding surgeon and his team and all of the nurses and everyone else that I interacted with and their positive attitudes and expertise. It was not the exception but the norm for everyone to go beyond the expectations of their job. My wife whom slept in the chair in my room was also treated with respect and kindness. I cannot say enough about the staff.

In just three months I went for a 25 mile bicycle ride and by five months I was playing basketball with the boys and no one was taking it easy on me. It feels great to be able to do these things I took for granted just months earlier and I owe my future life to CC and Dr. Svensson and what they have done in the field of heart surgery. Thank you so much for helping and caring!

Thanks,
Michael Hodgson
Friendsville, TN