I still remember the first time I heard the name of who was going to be my cardiac surgeon. My cardiologist recommended that my severely stenotic aortic valve could no longer be ignored and it had to be replaced: I needed open-heart surgery to fix this. I asked him if he recommended a certain surgeon, maybe someone he was routinely working with. His answer came out almost in one breath: "You will probably go to Dr. John Mitchell. Outside of being an amazing surgeon, he is also an incredible human being."
I didn't know at the time that my cardiologist was underselling Dr. Mitchell. By a long shot.
Now, if you read this blog frequently you know that I usually complain about doctors and seldom, if ever, praise them. However, this one is different. This is the man that not only saved my life, but gave me a new one!
I came to know Dr. Mitchell during my surgery (in 2016) and in the long recovery afterwards. Even after leaving Utah, he insisted that I should come back for a follow-up consult every year. So, every time I've gone to Utah for work, I made sure I made an appointment just to ensure he has a look at my latest tests and he gives me his nod about what my next steps should be.
He did a procedure on me that to this day, from everything I have read (and I have read a lot!), was incredibly complicated and incredibly brave (https://livingwithfh.blogspot.com/2016/02/open-heart-surgery-day-1-to-8.html) . There were so many more things wrong with my heart that went way beyond just a stenotic valve: there were four major heart arteries almost all 100% blocked, a PVC-like aorta ('porcelainized'), a damaged aortic arch with an aneurism to repair - all because of what Homozygous FH did for many years of non-treatment and LDL levels in the 400-500 mg/dl range. He fixed it all in one operation, in an almost 12-hour surgery and he ensured me that what he did will last me "a long, long, very long time."
Just like my cardiologist said: I have found out for myself: he has been an amazing human being, right along with being the most amazing doctor I have ever seen. And trust me, with FH - I have seen hundreds of doctors in my life. Not one other medical professional could ever come close to comparing.
And just when I thought he could not be more amazing, I came across this story from May of this year: a former Army surgeon for 20 years, at the age of 61 now, he has rejoined the Army Reserves as a colonel, to serve the country one more time as a surgeon. He never stops to leave me speechless.
I am so humbled that I had him as my surgeon. I am not sure how I got so lucky! Every day, I pray that he is blessed with health and hope and a long life, just like he gives his patients ...
FH is a journey, full of twists and turns and so much unexpected that it all wears you down, at times. Doctors are mostly unprepared or unaware of this disease. To find a doctor that is knowledgeable, on top of having a plan and being compassionate to boot makes you really feel like you hit the jackpot. It breathes life and hope back into your tired wings.
I am forever indebted and forever honored to have had him as my surgeon. I owe the life that I have had for the past 5 years to him - and, if he is to be believed, the life of all the years to come, too.
Read his amazing story here: https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/3/21/22332684/doctor-reenlists-with-the-u-s-army-to-give-back-what-hes-learned
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