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Lindsey Hannigan celebrated her 21st birthday in January at home in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County, aware she might not have reached this milestone of adult life.
Less than two months earlier, the college junior had heart surgery at Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Cedar Crest in Allentown to replace her diseased aortic valve with one that would allow blood to easily flow from her heart to the rest of her body. She says the operation was done just in time, as her own valve had been leaking dangerously with each heartbeat over the past few months.
"I might not have reached 21 if I didn't have the surgery," Hannigan says.
Nonstop chest pain
She recalls the mounting fatigue and stabbing chest pain during her fall semester at University of Pittsburgh, where she studies psychology.
"The chest pain occurred at all times of the day, whether I was exercising, sitting, lying down or walking," she says. A test at nearby Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, revealed the problem was at its worst stage; she was told surgery was desperately needed, and soon.
"We researched the best places possible, which led me to Lehigh Valley," Hannigan says. "My sister found that it had great ratings (LVH is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report), plus it was actually recommended when I was in the hospital in Pittsburgh."
A thorough explanation
An appointment with Raymond Singer, MD, with LVPG Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, confirmed to the Hannigans they'd made the right choice. Singer has the best valve surgery patient survival rates in Pennsylvania, according to the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council's most recent cardiac surgery report.
"He explained the surgery to us, told us about the valve options and answered our questions," she says. "He treated us like we were part of his family. I had a sense of peace being with him."
On Dec. 10, 2015, Singer removed her damaged "native" valve and replaced it with one made of cow tissue so she wouldn't need blood thinners that are required with artificial valves.
Feeling better each day
Hannigan started a cardiac rehabilitation program this past winter and is feeling better each day. She hears from Singer through texts and phone calls, and says "his compassion makes a world of difference."
Hannigan returned to college in May, and she hopes to specialize in a new branch of psychology that helps patients deal with the emotional issues heart patients often experience. "If I can help someone going through what I experienced, it will all be worth it," Hannigan says.
–Robert Stevens