Connective Issues Winter 2023

Recovery After Surgery Provides NEW PERSPECTIVE

A self-proclaimed “horse girl,” Molly was used to hard work in the barn, throwing 80-pound bales of hay. As a longtime, active equestrian, she was strong and fit. But a few weeks before she was set to start her freshman year at college in 2017, she was short of breath, dizzy, and didn’t feel right. Due to a family history of aortic dissection, Molly had routine testing most of her life. Her scheduled MRI revealed the dimensions of her aorta had grown since her last appointment, and her cardiologist at Cleveland Clinic, Dr. Ken Zahka, recommended surgery. One month after the MRI, Molly went in to have her aorta repaired by Dr. Eric Roselli, Chief of Adult Cardiac Surgery and Director of the Aorta Center at Cleveland Clinic. “While my doctor was performing the surgery, my aorta just dissected,” she said. “What was expected to be a five-hour surgery turned into 10 hours. I was really lucky that I did dissect in the OR, and Dr. Roselli was careful to check everything and make the needed repairs. When I came out of surgery, I was told that I was a walking miracle.” Molly’s recovery from surgery was di ffi cult, both mentally and physically. “It was supposed to be my first semester of college,” she said. “To make the choice to stay home and have heart surgery while watching everyone else go to college was challenging, but I knew it was something I needed to do.” She worked hard to recover, going to cardiac rehab and achieving milestones - walking upstairs, going to the mailbox, and walking around the lake in her neighborhood. After three months of recovery, Molly started to slowly resume her routine. She went to college and, several months later, she was back in the saddle. “I thought I could just jump back into my activities,” Molly said. “I didn’t realize how much strength I had lost. I had to cut out a few things, but I tried to find a way to do the things I love safely, and although recovery was challenging, it gave me a new perspective on life for which I am very grateful.” Self-Awareness Leads to Prompt Care Since her recovery, Molly was living what she considered a normal life - riding horses and going to school. Through genetic testing in 2020, she was o ffi cially diagnosed with a rare connective tissue disorder related to Marfan syndrome and continued with routine monitoring. In January 2021, while she was in the barn, she felt short of breath, dizzy, and fatigued along with pressure in her chest. Molly knew something was wrong and called her mother to come to the barn.

p Molly with Maverick

“I sat down in the barn, and I could feel my aorta dissect,” said Molly. “It was like a knife down the center of my abdomen and the worst pain I have ever felt. I knew exactly what was happening, so I immediately called Dr. Zahka.” Dr. Zahka instructed her to come to the emergency department where sta ff would be waiting for her to get a CT scan upon arrival. Molly received a follow-up text from him when she was en route: Dr. Roselli knows what is going on and will drive the plan. We will get you through this. You have a great team. Imaging revealed that her aorta had once again dissected, but this time with no warning signs. Dr. Roselli performed another successful repair. Molly is expecting to have another surgery to further reinforce her aorta in the future. She continues to go to Cleveland Clinic at least every six months for scans and tests as part of her monitoring. A Trusted Care Team Provides Peace of Mind Molly credits her cardiac team of physicians and nurses with seeing her as a person, not just a patient. She said the relationships established with her care team give her the confidence to push forward with everyday life. “It’s so important to have a team you can trust and that you know will have your back,” she said. “It makes decisions and challenging conversations easier. I trust that if I need anything, Dr. Zahka will call or text me back in a heartbeat.”

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Marfan.org