Life-Changing Heart Care at Bronson

Judy Covey Shares Her Journey with Heart Valve Procedure, TAVR

I recently underwent TAVR surgery with Dr. Keller. I knew I needed this procedure for a while, but I was nervous. At my initial consultation, I met with Amy Cook, a nurse and the cardiovascular program coordinator, and Dr. Keller. They both made me feel so comfortable that my worries disappeared. For some reason, I just felt at peace. They provided clear information and handled everything with such care and thoughtfulness. Even my husband commented on how thorough they were when they explained the procedure to us. They truly went above and beyond to make sure I felt supported. I know that if I called Amy today, she would treat me with the same kindness, taking her time to answer my questions and make me feel understood.

My twin brother needed open-heart surgery, so I was especially grateful that I could have the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure instead. The recovery time is much shorter, and I’m thankful to my doctors and care team at Bronson for making everything go so smoothly.

My hospital experience could not have been any better. Every staff member I encountered throughout my stay was compassionate and helpful.

Because I have COPD and other health conditions, I still have progress to make in my recovery. However, before my procedure, I couldn’t even walk to the mailbox. Now, not only do I walk to get my mail every day, but I also work out twice a week. It has truly been a life-changing experience. The Bronson cardiac rehab team has been a wonderful part of my post-op recovery, too.

If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: follow the instructions, read the information and trust the doctors at Bronson. They know what they’re doing!

To learn more about the innovative heart and vascular procedures being done at Bronson, click here.