COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing, Resources & Visitor Policy Updates
Not Feeling Well? Check Your Symptoms with the New Online Symptom Checker.
  • MYCHART LOGIN PAY MY BILL FIND A DOCTOR FIND A LOCATION PATIENTS & VISITORS MEDICAL SERVICES COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESOURCES CAREERS CONTACT US
  • Patients & Visitors
  • Medical Services
  • Community Outreach
  • Resources
  • Careers
MYCHART LOGIN PAY MY BILL FIND A DOCTOR FIND A LOCATION PATIENTS & VISITORS MEDICAL SERVICES COMMUNITY OUTREACH RESOURCES CAREERS CONTACT US
  • Homepage
  • Medical Services
  • Heart & Vascular
  • Patient Success Stories
  • Melissa Jennings
HEADER-SM-SEH-2016-1735

Melissa Jennings

Find a Location Find a Doctor
Heart & Vascular
  • Advanced Heart Failure Management Center
  • Arrhythmia Center
    • Diagnostic Testing
    • Treatments/Procedures
  • Cardiology
    • Heart Attack Care
    • Minimally Invasive Procedures
  • Cardio-Oncology
  • Cardiac Rehab
  • Clinical Research
  • Diagnostic Services
  • Heart Surgery
  • Florence Wormald Heart & Vascular Institute Building
  • Patient Success Stories
  • Prevention & Wellness
    • AHA Training Center
    • CardioVascular Mobile Health Unit
    • Hands-only CPR
    • Healing Hearts Women's Support Group
    • Health Disparities and Cardiovascular Disease
    • Heart Healthy Lifestyle Tips
    • My Heart Rocks
    • Women and Heart Disease
  • Tobacco Cessation
    • Freedom from Smoking
    • Nicotine Medication
    • Nicotine Replacement
    • Tobacco Cessation Therapy
    • Success Stories
    • Tobacco Cessation Resources
    • Youth E-cigarette and Vaping Epidemic
  • Structural Heart & Valve Center
    • Aortic Valve Replacement
    • Mitral Valve Surgery
  • Your Hospital Stay
    • Care After Heart Surgery
    • Intensive Care for Heart Conditions
    • Nurses with Heart Care Expertise
    • Transitional Care Units

Two-time Bypass Patient Becomes Advocate for Heart Health

Melissa_Jennings_resized_for_new_site_10-6-2016Melissa was 41 and facing her second heart-bypass surgery after having been diagnosed with Kawasaki disease as a child. This is her story.

“I walked into the hospital that morning with so many emotions. I was scared, but I was hopeful. I was worried about leaving my husband and son alone. I wasn’t ready to go; this couldn’t be my time.

As I let go of my husband’s hand, I gave him a goodbye letter. Fighting back tears, I watched him disappear as they wheeled me down the hallway.

I had already survived one open-heart surgery (CABG — coronary artery bypass grafting). In 1984, I was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease. When I was just 11 years old, my parents were told that I had multiple coronary aneurysms, but to wait to operate.

At 20, the majority had disappeared on their own, but one, located in my left main coronary artery, had calcified. I felt tired and lacked energy; it was due to the reduction of blood flow. My artery was obstructed and without surgery I would die.

On December 14, 1993, doctors completed my first open-heart surgery. It was a wonderful success.

Fast forward to December 2012. I have an amazing husband, live in a beautiful house in Northern Kentucky and have a loving son. Around Christmas I began to feel run down and tired. I spent the next seven months just trying to keep up. I was constantly exhausted. In July 2013, I suffered an angina. An angina for many women feels like a sharp pain throbbing or burning in your chest. You might feel it on your neck or throat. You can also lose your breath and have anxiety.

I put aside my dread and called my cardiologist. It’s hard to accept that your body is failing, but after seven months of fatigue, it was a phone call I was ready to make. I just didn’t want to hear that I might need another open-heart surgery.

I spoke with St. Elizabeth Cardiologist Dr. Kevin Miller. We started with a heart stress echo. I had it on September 19 and did not pass it. As it had been 20 years since the original bypass, I was not surprised, but of course still hopeful.

On September 25, I had an angiogram and found out that my bypass from 20 years ago was failing.

I cried.

Dr. Miller told me that other veins and arteries were "stepping up" and performing in the faulty one’s place with collateral blood flow, so I didn’t immediately need surgery, but I needed another open-heart surgery soon.

Dr. Raymond Will, a cardiothoracic surgeon at St. Elizabeth, explained that it was a tricky procedure because it was a redo and because of the position of my artery.

I chose to have my second bypass surgery on October 30 at St. Elizabeth Edgewood. I entered the hospital that morning feeling hopeful but anxious. As a mother, as a wife, the last thing you ever want to do is leave your family. I hugged my husband and told him goodbye and told him to take care of Peyton. I gave them both a letter to open later in case. I carried my son’s picture to give me strength. His face provided me the courage I needed that morning.

While I was scared, I strongly believed in the team of doctors and nurses at St. Elizabeth. They provided me peace and comfort every step of the way. The nurses held my hands and understood it was scary. I knew I was going to make it through this surgery. Luckily, I was right.

Today, I’m healthier than ever. My heart is strong and my future is bright.

I know another open-heart bypass surgery is in the cards for me and maybe more. I know I will put my heart into the hands of St. Elizabeth again.

I write this story to urge you to be aware of your own heart health. Taking small steps to a better heart and overall wellness is so important. Simply calling your local family doctor can save your life. Join with me, and let’s take care of our hearts.”

Heart & Lung Surgery Services at St. Elizabeth

For more information about Heart & Lung Surgery at the St. Elizabeth Heart & Vascular Institute, click here.

About St. Elizabeth
  • About Us
  • Associate Log In
  • Associate Intranet
  • Careers
  • For Health Professionals
  • Foundation
  • St. Elizabeth Physicians
  • Learn More
How Can We Help?
  • Find a Location
  • Find a Provider
  • Frequently Called Numbers
  • Health Library
  • Pay My Bill
  • Pagar Su Factura
  • Site Map
Legal
  • Disclaimer/HIPAA
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
  • © 2019 St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
  • All rights reserved. St. Elizabeth Healthcare is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation serving the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region. Tax identification #610445850
Help Us Continue To Provide Quality Care
  • Donate
  • Human Resources
  • Physician Opportunities
  • Volunteer
Visit St. Elizabeth Physicians
Healthy
Headlines
  • Helping you live a better life.
  • View Health Tips
Social
About St. Elizabeth
About Us
Associate Log In
Associate Intranet
Careers
For Health Professionals
Foundation & Donations
Volunteers
Resources
CareGram
Find a Location
Find a Provider
Frequently Called Numbers
MyChart Login
Pay My Bill
Legal
Disclaimer/HIPAA
Patient Rights and Responsibilities
Human Resources
© 2022 St. Elizabeth Healthcare. All rights reserved. St. Elizabeth Healthcare is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation serving the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region. Tax identification #610445850