Our congressman had OHS for MVR

[Georgia]

The following article appeared in our local rag - this is our congressman. They don't have much information on the surgery, but since I had mitral valve replacement I found it very interesting.

Shimkus undergoes open-heart surgery for genetic condition


By DORI MEINERT
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. John Shimkus was recuperating Tuesday from open-heart surgery to repair a condition called severe mitral valve regurgitation.

The 47-year-old Collinsville Republican, who represents part of Springfield, spent more than five hours in surgery at a St. Louis-area hospital, his spokesman Steven Tomaszewski said. He wouldn't identify the hospital.

Shimkus is expected to make a full recovery, but it could be two months before he is able to resume his usual activities, Tomaszewski said.

Mitral valve regurgitation is a genetic condition where one of the heart's valves does not close entirely, allowing blood to flow in reverse.

When the mitral valve doesn't function properly, blood can't move through the heart or to the rest of the body efficiently.

The condition can leave the patient feeling fatigued and short of breath, according to the Mayo Clinic's Web site.

Shimkus' doctors discovered the problem when he went in for a physical March 1. He had a persistent cold and was feeling generally run down, but didn't experience any obvious heart-related symptoms, his aide said.

Shimkus scheduled the surgery to coincide with Congress' two-week spring break.

But preparation for the surgery Monday caused Shimkus to miss a last-minute House vote granting the parents of Terry Schiavo the right to sue in federal court over the withdrawal of a feeding tube from the severely brain-damaged woman, Tomaszewski said.

Although doctors haven't yet said when Shimkus will be released from the hospital, he plans to recuperate at his home in Collinsville with his wife and three boys.

He will be allowed to travel by plane to Washington during his recovery period but will be maintaining a "much lighter schedule" except for House votes, Tomaszewski said.

 

[Karlynn]

So he had a repair???

 

[Georgia]

I guess that was the implication in the article, but I doubt that whoever wrote it understood the meaning of "repair a condition . . . " I've been looking for more information in newspapers around the state, but even the Belleville paper (closest to his home) doesn't say anything substantive about the surgery. If more information becomes available I'll update the post.

 

[tommy]

Georgia,

From the Edwardsville Intelligencer.............."

The Congressman is hoping to be able to pitch, as he has for the last four years, in the annual House baseball game scheduled for June 23," the press release said.

Will he be on anti-coagulants?

Also from the Edwardsville Intelligencer.............."

Cards may be sent to Congressman John Shimkus, 508 West Main Street, Collinsville, IL 62234. The family requests that other items, such as flowers, plants or gifts, not be sent. E-mail greetings may be sent to [email protected].

Another VR.com member?

I recall that you lost a former US Senator, Paul Simon following a bypass and valve surgery. He had a history of previous surgeries.

 

[Karlynn]

Thanks Tom. I sent him a get well wish, with an invitation to join our little merry band of valvers.

 

[Mary]

Our tv station has reported that it was a congenital defect of the valve, but they've made no mention of it being the mitral. They did report that it was regurgitation. They've also reported that it was just recently discovered, and his surgery was performed almost immediately.