Heart Valve Replacement - Larry's Story

http://www.mmc.org/cardiovascular - Larry Roux was just 16 years old in 1969 when he underwent surgery at Maine Medical Center to replace a defective heart valve. After his surgery, he regained the strength to live a normal, active life, raise a family, and become a grandfather. But 45 years after that surgery, his old symptoms of feeling tired and a shortness of breath returned, and so he returned to Maine Med.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT:

LARRY: I was sick all the time.

I couldn't eat, couldn't
breathe.

When I got home, it was scary
because you could
hear (click, clock, click, clock)
and sometimes you swear it
would stop but it didn't.

DR. REED QUINN: He had the first
generation type cardiac valve
and this is the valve here.

It's a cage that
contains a ball.

LARRY: I ran track, I played
horseshoes, I pitched softball.

If you stay moving, you're
going to stay grooving
as far as I'm concerned.

Let's go get the big ones.

I couldn't walk this hill with
my old valve now I can go up
and down, I have no problem.
Model T to a Cadillac.

How ya doing?
Good, how are you?
Good.

DR. QUINN: We have great depth in the
cardiac surgical team here
at Maine Medical Center.
We have a team that
does over a 1,000 cases
in the operating room each year.
Doing everything from pediatric
to adult cardiac surgery.

DR. DOUG SAWYER: We're in a unique position
with an incredible history
and resources that are being
applied towards not just keeping
up with other parts
of the world of terms
of how we provide cardiac care
but really getting
out in the front.

Ooh, there's a big one.
Look, see it?

DR. SAWYER: Our program is
taking care of some
of the sickest people
in the state.
And our goal is to help
them get back to the things
that are important to them
and to do that in a way
that doesn't require a
long expensive journey
to another city.

LARRY: And when I hear of
anybody else going in,
I tell them, "Don't sweat it.
They'll take care of you."

One thing I can say
about Maine Medical,
I got to see my grandchildren.

GRANDSON: I got a fish!

LARRY: I'm very lucky, very lucky.

Видео Heart Valve Replacement - Larry's Story канала MaineHealth