Retired nurse Jane Gordon found herself on the other side of the medical fence when she began to have health problems, particularly a heart attack in 2008.
Over the next several years, Gordon was hospitalized many times for heart conditions, including symptoms of heart failure and another heart attack in early 2015.
The Merrillville resident had open heart surgery for an aortic valve replacement; but less than a year later, physicians informed her that the valve was leaking, and that she would need to have a second open heart procedure to replace it or she would die.
“I didn’t want open heart surgery again. Recovery took such a long time ” Gordon told visitors to the recent Hearts of Hope tree-lighting ceremony at St. Mary Medical Center. “I refused, I wanted to look at my options.”
That included securing Dr. Hussad Suradi, who is on staff at St. Mary, as her new cardiologist.
“Fortunately, I found out about Dr. Suradi who met with me, reviewed my case, and informed me that he thought he could help repair my leaky valve without the need for another open heart surgery,” Gordon said.
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The procedure he used — para valvular leak closure — is state-of-the-art and minimally invasive, she said.
“I went home the next day,” Gordon said. “And I’m getting along fine now — no more oxygen to carry around.”
Suradi is the only physician in Northwest Indiana who is fellowship-trained in structural cardiology, which includes treatment of congenital heart conditions or other disorders that affect the flow of blood through the chambers of the heart, such as valve disease.
After Gordon’s talk, and preceding the Hearts of Hope Tree Lighting Ceremony in the hospital lobby, Dr. Suradi discussed advanced cardiac treatments.
“It’s great that the public was invited here,” said Janette Lander of Hobart, who was in the audience. “In addition to ourselves, my husband and I have many family members that are in various stages of heart disease. It’s wonderful to know the strides the medical field is taking.”
The lobby became super bright as Gordon flipped the switch to illuminate the hundreds of lights on a red and white 15-foot decorated tree. Lights were sold to honor those touched by heart disease. The $5 per light cost raises funds for the Cardiovascular Research Program at the hospitals of Community Healthcare System: St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, Community Hospital in Munster and St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago.
Donations for the Hearts of Hope tree lights will be accepted through February 29.
More information is at 219-947-6041 or www.comhs.org/HeartsofHope.
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.