Bob Murray

When Chicago-area police sergeant Bob Murray first realized he had chicken pox several years ago, he was bothered that it would interrupt his work schedule and temporarily place him on the sidelines. But soon after, he was in fact grateful that he had contracted the virus — and realized a related doctor's visit probably saved his life.

"During the checkup the doctor noticed I had a heart murmur," says Bob. "He asked if anyone had ever told me that, and they hadn't, so we looked into it and found out I had stenosis."

Aortic valve stenosis is a condition in which the aortic valve narrows, preventing it from opening fully. That in turn obstructs blood flow from the heart into the aorta and onward to the rest of the body. When the valve is obstructed, the heart must work harder, and if the valve becomes severely narrowed, surgery is usually required. Often, the condition is first recognized when a doctor detects a heart murmur.

This is Serious

In Bob's case, the narrowing was determined to be severe, and was due to damage that occurred when he was 12 and was treated for Hodgkin's disease. "The radiation therapy was successful, but it was brutal and had damaged my heart," says Bob.

Although he had already dealt with this life-threatening condition early on, Bob had been healthy for more than two decades, and the news about his heart valve came as a terrible blow. "When I first heard I needed a new valve, I thought, 'Okay, I'll do this in a few years,'" says Bob. "But then the doctor said, 'No — this is serious, you need to deal with this now.' They put me immediately on light duty at work. I was stunned."

Feeling Uncertain

Bob credits his wife Sandy for approaching the situation with determination, and conducting detailed research on the Internet to study the condition, as well as learn more about the leading treatment facilities.

"We married when we were 30," says Bob, "and I call the time before I met her 'BS' — before Sandy. She is structured and does her homework, and asks good questions and I would call her 'courteously demanding.' She held my hand through this."

Although there were several facilities in the Chicago area, Bob and Sandy decided to drive to another Midwest valve clinic that was rated one of the nation's finest.

"I wasn't impressed with that clinic," says Bob. "I know it doesn't matter the style of bricks on a building, and the doctor there wasn't bad, but periphery things can make a huge impression. It bothered me that there were fast food restaurants in the hospital and lots of employees smoking outside where we came in. It wasn't friendly, and just didn't feel right."

That clinic recommended a tissue valve for Bob, but he felt unsure and decided to go to Mayo Clinic Valve Clinic for a second opinion.

A Visit to Mayo

At Mayo, Bob immediately felt at ease, and was pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the staff, as well as the speed and efficiency of his assessment.

"Right away, the people at Mayo were so friendly and that impressed me," he says. "There are thousands of people there every day, and there must be lots of whining and moaning. Yet they treat you like you are the first person they've met that day. It really, really helps."

Typically the assessment process at the Valve Clinic lasts just one day with tests conducted in the morning, followed by a visit with the nurse, the cardiologist, then a surgeon.

Maurice Sarano, M.D., director of Mayo Clinic Valve Clinic, points out that the one-day process is not designed to hurry patients through the system, but rather to deliver care most effectively.

"This way, we keep focused and are vividly present with the information," says Dr. Sarano. "In addition, most doctors here do the echocardiogram themselves as well as examine it, so we have extensive, hands-on knowledge and the highest possible understanding of the situation."

Throughout the day, family members are encouraged to remain with the patient and ask questions and provide support.

"We keep the afternoons uncluttered so we can have time for discussion," says Dr. Sarano. "We also believe it is important to give the patient both a technical explanation of what is going on, as well as have our nurse, Beth Eichhorn, help interpret that information so patients really understand and can relate to the situation in human terms."

Bob's Assessment

"Mayo recommended a mechanical valve and said I was too young for the tissue valve the other clinic had recommended," says Bob. Bob was in his mid-30s, and would outlive the tissue valve and then would need another surgery. "Suddenly, I was even more uncertain about the other clinic."

The mechanical valve would last a lifetime, although it would require Bob to be on a blood thinner (Coumadin) for the rest of his life. Being on Coumadin would require some lifestyle changes, and Bob and Sandy talked at length to Eichhorn about the procedure and follow-up.

"Beth was straightforward, courteous and polite, and took the time to explain things to us," says Bob. "I felt like I was the only person she dealt with."

Bob decided to proceed and have the surgery at Mayo, and on November 2001 he received a mechanical valve. The surgery was a success, and Bob went home to recover.

Taking Flight

"After surgery I came home to recover and I was really bored," says Bob. "I had a book about flying and started reading it and decided that I would learn how to fly," he said. "Sitting around I thought, 'I can do this. I've always wanted to.'"

Bob obtained his pilot's license in July 2003. His goal is to become a pilot volunteer with Angel Flight, a nonprofit organization that transports patients and their families in private planes to hospitals for medical treatment.

But for the next several years, at least, Bob is busy with another major project at home.

A Welcome Surprise

Life was getting back to normal. Bob was busy again at work, patrolling the streets as well as supervising his team of officers, and Sandy once again returned to her routine.

Since Bob and Sandy had been told they would probably never have children (due to Bob's radiation therapy), up to this point they had led a carefree lifestyle, finding a variety of ways to enjoy their free time together, such as motorcycling cross-country.

"We enjoyed doing things as a couple and both knew, even before we were married, that having children would be highly unlikely," says Bob. "We accepted that, but every once in a while, we hoped things would be different."

Then, after eight years of marriage, to everyone's surprise and great delight, Sandy became pregnant. She gave birth in April 2003, a year and a half after Bob's surgery, to Elizabeth "Beth" Anne, a beautiful, healthy child. It is impossible to know exactly if or how the surgery impacted Bob's fertility, but his improved health may have played some role.

"She is my namesake, and it is the best reward a nurse could ever have," says Beth Eichhorn. Beth and Sandy continue to stay in frequent contact.

Today, Sandy works out of the home in the mornings and Bob works in the afternoons, and they trade off caring for little Beth at home.

A Feeling of Confidence

What would Bob say to someone who may have recently discovered he or she needed a heart valve procedure?

"People should educate themselves, and see one or two doctors, then you'll have no regrets," says Bob. "I would go to Mayo for everything, but everyone needs to feel good about their own decision and go with their gut feeling. Who makes you feel the most confident? Mayo gave me this feeling of confidence."