Enjoying Life Again, Thanks to Local Specialized Heart Expertise
State Farm Agent, Avid Golfer, Dow Championship Volunteer, TAVR Patient
“I feel so much better with my energy levels and overall health. We are very fortunate to have this level of heart care right here in Saginaw.”
Cathy Tafel, 66, is a busy State Farm agent who loves her job and enjoys being active. She has been monitored for the past several years for a heart murmur, but began feeling overly tired and needing daily naps, which was unusual. She consulted with her cardiologist, and after an echocardiogram revealed Tafel was suffering from aortic stenosis, she was referred to MCVI Interventional Cardiologist Safwan Kassas, M.D., at MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw. Dr. Kassas recommended she undergo an aortic valve replacement. The next step was to determine if it would be an open-heart replacement or minimally-invasive transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
Aortic Stenosis (AS) is a disease that narrows the opening of the heart’s aortic valve. Under this condition, the heart must work harder to pump blood to the aorta – the body’s main artery. The heart muscle eventually weakens with AS, which can affect a person’s overall health and energy levels. Severe AS, left untreated, increases the risk for heart failure and is a life-threatening condition.
“At one point I had a cardiac catheterization to check for any blockages so there would be no surprises when they performed the valve replacement. Because of medications I take for rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Kassas and another cardiologist, I met with, determined the TAVR procedure was appropriate for my situation. After having the cardiac catheterization, which was a simple procedure, it helped to give me confidence that the TAVR procedure would go well. I felt very confident in my care team and in choosing the TAVR procedure,” said Tafel. “Everyone was fantastic – caring and professional. Dr. Kassas said my heart muscle was strong, and I would do well.”
The TAVR procedure allows for the replacement of an aortic valve without undergoing open heart surgery. During the procedure an artificial aortic valve is inserted via a catheter through an artery in the neck, leg or between the ribs, and placed inside the diseased valve while the heart is still beating. The treatment is proven to consistently lengthen a patient’s life and improve their overall quality of life. While this one to two-hour procedure could be a life-saving alternative for patients not suitable for surgery, it is not appropriate for all patients.
The day before her procedure date, Tafel happened to write herself a note at home on the back of a card. When she flipped it over, she realized it was a “Get Well” card to her late husband, Larry, who passed a few years ago from cancer. The card’s front had a humorous depiction of a man in a hospital gown being worn backwards with his name printed in the caption. She took it as a positive sign from him in moving forward with the procedure. When she entered the Medical Center in Saginaw in the morning, she had no misgivings or concerns.
“I had absolutely no worries that day,” Tafel said. “I was familiar with the staff and they met me with kindness and a sense of humor that mirrored my own, which I really appreciated. I was relaxed and positive.”
The procedure was successful, and Dr. Kassas was very pleased with Tafel’s results; she did as well as he predicted. When she was transferred to the fifth floor for overnight monitoring, she was greeted by Nursing Assistant Duaine (DJ) Hauk, who would be tending to her during her recovery. As it happened, he resembled her late husband, Larry, in both appearance and personality.
“DJ was so friendly and made me feel at home right away. He looked like a younger version of my husband, which made me feel at ease,” she shared. “He took time to talk with me to explain things and let me know that he was available for anything I might need. We joked with each other and bonded, which I really believed helped my healing. It made the whole process so much better.”
The following day, Tafel was up and walking. An echocardiogram showed that the new valve was functioning well. At one point, DJ brought his wife by Tafel’s room to meet her. It’s a connection made she will not soon forget.
“I feel so much better with my energy levels and overall health,” said Tafel. “I am working on rebuilding my cardio strength and stamina. I look forward to follow-ups with Dr. Kassas and appreciate everyone at MyMichigan for delivering top-notch care. We are very fortunate to have this level of care right here in Saginaw.”
Less than six months later, Tafel is feeling very close to 100 percent and is enjoying being back out on the golf course and enjoying other outdoor activities like camping, biking and hiking.
Those who would like additional information about the comprehensive heart team at MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw, may visit www.mymichigan.org/mcvi.
