Zoey Marie's Second MVR Surgery

In this video you will see Nate Estes's daughter Zoey Marie Estes undergo her second Mitral Valve Repair surgery procedure. Nate Estes is one of the original...

I wanted to share Zoey’s second mitral valve repair surgery video. Thank you to Dr. Masami Uechi, Sayaka Takeuchi, Ayaka Chen and the entire Jasmine team for your unbelievable dedication towards saving my daughters life not once but twice. You all have saved so many lives of dogs suffering with mitral valve disease and for that we are forever grateful and hold you all dearly in our hearts. Below is Zoey’s brave second journey story.

Zoey’s second surgery journey

Just after two years since having her first mitral valve repair surgery in France by Dr. Masami Uechi and the Bozon’s team we noticed Zoey was again progressing from this dreadful disease at each checkup things kept looking different. I was actively working with the clinics in France and Japan to understand what was going on with Zoey to cause this. After a few difficult months of piecing it together we realized Zoey may have torn a major artificial chordae that was placed during her first surgery in France in 2016.

Proactively I already started the Japanese quarantine process which is a six-seven month waiting period proving rabies immunity before you are allowed to enter the country. We found ourselves yet again facing the possibility of doing another bypass repair surgery on Zoey, otherwise she probably wouldve only had a year left to live as she was already moving towards congestive heart failure (CHF), she was only seven years old now.

So we prepared for Japan per Masami Uechi’s request. The day came to embark on our second mitral valve repair journey, this time a different continent. Much like the first, we were prepared for what lies ahead. We arrived a week early to acclimate Zoey and had our pre-op surgical appointment with the wonderful Sayaka Takeuchi. We were faced with the scary truths about the risks involved in this second surgery and needed to make a heavy decision on whether we would again proceed. Obviously with Zoey quickly advancing and knowing the road that was ahead we placed our unwavering faith in Dr. Masami Uechi and his team and our faith in god and decided to proceed ahead to save our little daughter again.

We were told second surgeries were rarely performed and they weren’t even sure on how successful it could be. They were not sure why this happened to Zoey as it’s not very common unless a dog was to active early on in the recovery process causing a chordae to detach before allowing them the required three months time to scar and bond over the repair to the heart further reinforcing the repair. Was it a weak heart muscle or stress we will never know. All I know is here we are again faced with the same fears a little over two years ago.

Surgery day came and I won't lie that I was a complete wreck internally, outwardly I was holding it all together for my family that needed me to be the rock. As they took Zoey away from me yet again, a wave of calmness went through my body because I knew I gave Zoey’s little body the best chances at fighting this again and I knew the team cared deeply about us and would save my daughters life again, I had no doubts in my soul.

Surgery started, sitting again in that lobby, knowing my daughter was clinically dead for the second time was the most difficult thing I had to witness for the second time in my life. As you sit in the lobby you find yourself reading each doctors reactions as they come and go gauging how it’s going inside the surgical room. It’s such a heart-wrenching feeling. Sitting in the lobby waiting and seeing how many more dogs are coming in to be examined as future patients is devastating and makes you realize how much of a problem this disease is worldwide.

Finally

Dr. Masami Uechi comes out to bring you back to the surgical theater to explain to you how it all went “heart sinking” he tells us all went as planned and Zoey is off the bypass machine and being closed up by the team. As Dr. Uechi shows us the repair results we are crying in relief and amazement of what this beautiful man and team just did again saving our daughter.

We are lead to the back of the room to see Zoey being stitched up and Dr. Uechi is explaining what the vital signs on the monitor means, blood pressure, heart rate, etc. We are thrilled yet worried as the recovery is just as crucial as the surgery. They did their job and now Zoey’s body and the recovery team start theirs. What a roller coaster and miracle.

As Zoey was moved to recovery and we were able to see, I again had to be the rock holding us all together to see her through this. As the days went on we strengthened Zoey with proper nutrition to get her numbers to improve from the natural bodies inflammation response to this intervention. Zoey did remarkably well and eventually was able to check out of the clinic and come back to our Airbnb. She did have to go back to the clinic a few times and the amazing team at the Jasmine clinic were able to get Zoey’s numbers yet again stabilized.

Headed home

Zoey persevered through all the obstacles against her for the second time and we got to go home. After a much needed rest at our home in the US, we went for our checkup with Dr. Emily Chapel at Access Specialty Animal Hospital and she was so impressed with how well Zoey was doing since the last time she saw Zoey before going to Japan for surgery. You always find yourself at each cardiologist appointment holding your breath because we’ve been here before and you never know what they are going to say in the future towards this progressive disease.

It’s been quite a life-changing journey for us and the immense support from the Mighty Hearts MVD Community was just amazing and a remainder of why I helped to create and continue to maintain this important resource. This experience has only further strengthened my determination at dedicating my life to this cause to save more of our babies lives and to continue helping all the families get through this as gently as possible. Mighty Hearts Project needs all of you working together with us for the common cause of advancing this procedure all over the world.

One thing I’ve learned is just how important it is for us to support these doctors learning this surgery. As they make it more readily available throughout the world, we must advocate for them in doing this procedure in the proper manner increasing the lives saved as they all advance in these emerging programs. I truly hate this disease and my resolve is strong to continue to grow our organization towards helping all of those we support. It won’t be perfect and I’m sure many bumps will happen along the way. To learn is to grow and sometimes letting the path lovingly guide you to where it needs you is what I’ve learned.

My little daughter is alive and inspiring myself and many others along the way to never quit in life until your soul is needed elsewhere. I love all of you and and will never quit in my resolve to seeing you all through your difficult journey’s to hopefully come home with your babies on the other side of this terrible disease.