South Carolina Surgery Reviews
Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
What CHD does/did your child have? :: Truncus Arteriosus
Where was your child's surgery done? :: MUSC Hospital, Charelston SC
Who did the surgery? :: Dr. Scott Bradley
When was the surgery done? :: Nov 18 2005
What did you think of the hospital and staff? :: I can not say enough good things about every member of the staff who helped to take care of my son. From the nurses, residents, fellows, all the way to Dr. Bradley, every one was professional and extremely kind. The new PCICU unit is first-class, and provides plenty of room for comfortably visiting your child without feeling "in the way" or cramped.
What did you think of the surgeon? :: Dr. Bradley is the most amazing surgeon I have ever seen. The miracles he performs every day (with God's help) on these kids is just mind-blowing. My wife and I are forever grateful for the dedication, skill, and compassion Dr. Bradley showed to us and all of his patients.
Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? :: Dr. Bradley will perform any and all surgical procedures on my son in the future, no matter where he may be!
Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? :: As scary as these things are, the staff members and surgeon at MUSC are second to none and will do all in their power to take care of your child. I wouldn't trust anyone else in the world any more than I trust MUSC and their staff.
More importantly, however:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, and strength. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." --Proverbs 3:5-6
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Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
What CHD does/did your child have? Complete balanced AV canal with mid AV valve regurgitation, PDA
What was done to correct this CHD? Surgical repair of VSD and ASD, rebuilt
mitral valve
Where was your child's surgery done?
Medical University of
South Carolina in Charleston
Who did the surgery? Dr.
Scott Bradley
When was the surgery done?
December 19, 2003, when
my son was 7 weeks old
What did you think of the hospital and staff? My husband and I are
eternally grateful for MUSC and its fine staff of accomplished and caring
doctors, nurses and respiratory specialists. Not only are each of these
individuals skilled and knowledgeable, but they are also compassionate and
kind. We think of MUSC’s pediatric cardiovascular staff often and are
eternally grateful for the gifts they gave to us: a new appreciation of the
human condition and the promise of a future with our son.
What did you think of the surgeon?
My
husband and I had heard wonderful things about Dr. Scott Bradley's surgical
skills from the parents of children he previously treated before we arrived
at MUSC, as well as from the doctors at Greenville Memorial Hospital where
our son was born. Knowing that Dr. Bradley was the surgeon operating on our
son gave us the confidence and courage we needed to walk our only child down
the long hallway toward the operating room. I don't know what words to use
to describe the reverence I have for the man who saved my baby's life, but I
do know that I will never forget the way Dr. Bradley smiled at my husband
and me when he spoke with us after our baby’s surgery. He looked so pleased
with himself, so relieved. His surgical cap had left a mark across his
forehead, a physical indication of the tedious hours he had spent working on
our son's tiny heart. I will forever be grateful to Dr. Bradley for
bringing my baby back alive from the operating room.
Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? I will insist that
Dr. Bradley operate on my son if he ever needs further surgical repair.
Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon?
When we
were planning our family, my husband and I never imagined the birth of our
first child would initiate such an extraordinary string of events. Looking
back now, my husband and I wonder how we ever had the fortitude to endure
the first 72-days of our son's life. What we haven’t forgotten, though, is
the manner in which MUSC’s outstanding staff facilitated our child's healing
process, and cared for us, his parents, at the same time.
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Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
What CHD does/did your child have? TAPVR, ASD, PDA
What was done to correct this CHD? Complete Repair of TAPVR, ASD closure
Where was your child's surgery done? Medical University of South Carolina
Who did the surgery?
Dr.
Scott Bradley
When was the surgery done? November 13th 2003, my son was 9 1/2 weeks old
What did you think of the hospital and staff? MUSC Children's Hospital is truly
dedicated to saving the lives of the tiniest patients. Every doctor we met was
very knowledgeable and skilled. Also, we thought that they displayed an
excellent system of communication. All of the doctors and nurses that came in
contact with our son knew his history and what was going on with him that day,
even if they had never seen him before. It was such a relief not having to
"fill-in-the-blanks." The Children's Heart Program of South Carolina is just
awesome. Our pediatric cardiologist in Greenville, Dr. Malpass, is excellent as
well. I think MUSC is a wonderful facility and I would recommend their
cardiology program to anyone.
What did you think of the surgeon? Dr. Bradley is simply amazing. Our son was born weighing 2lbs 13oz. Dr. Bradley and his team decided to "medically manage" our son's condition until he could gain weight. Our son went to surgery a little over 5lbs. It still amazes me that he was able to complete such intricate work on his tiny heart. Our son came through the surgery with flying colors and had a pretty uncomplicated post-op course. The reality of it is that without Dr. Bradley's skilled and experienced hands our son would not be here today. He is and forever will be our hero.
Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? The only person I would
ever want to operate on our son's heart again if need be is Dr. Bradley. We
would follow him across the country or even out of the country for that matter.
I have absolute trust and faith in his abilities.
Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? Our advice would be to
talk to the pediatric cardiologists and the parents of children who have been
treated at MUSC. We have met a lot of parents in the NICU at Greenville Memorial
Hospital, through family connections, and in the PCICU at MUSC, everyone has had
outstanding things to say about MUSC and Dr. Bradley.
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Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
What CHD does your child have? Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
What was done to correct this CHD? Norwood three-staged surgeries
Where was your child’s surgery done? Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston
Who did the surgery? Dr. Scott Bradley
When was the surgery done? Norwood--January 2001; hemi-Fontan--July 2001; Fontan—scheduled for June 2004
What did you think of the hospital and staff? We think very highly of the hospital and staff at MUSC. We’ve dealt with doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, child life specialists and dieticians. Everyone was knowledgeable, professional, compassionate and patient. The nurses try to involve the parents with physical care of the child (ie: changing diapers, feeding, etc.) as soon as it is appropriate. The medical professionals of MUSC listen, answer questions and inspire trust. The set up of the Pediatric Cardiology Department follows guidelines that improve the quality of care. The Pediatric Cardiology ICU (PCICU) is for children and adults with congenital heart defects and diseases. It is staffed by a PC Intensivist, fellows and nurses who deal primarily or exclusively with pediatric cardiology patients. Residents and medical students are not directly involved in the care of your child in the PCICU. The floor your child goes to following the PCICU is for CHD patients; the rooms are private. The Atrium/Playroom is on the same floor.
What did you think of the surgeon? We think the world of Dr. Bradley and trust him completely. We considered going to CHOPS, Boston or U of M for our daughter’s surgeries, but chose MUSC after learning the number of Norwood-staged surgeries Dr. Bradley had performed and his success rate. Besides being an extremely gifted Pediatric Cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Bradley is modest and kind. He genuinely cares about his patients. Following surgery, he accompanied our daughter to the PCICU. He is patient with parents. When offered thanks for saving our daughter, he shared the credit with everyone on the team. Dr. Bradley is not just a great surgeon, he is a good person.
Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? Yes. MUSC stresses communication and working with the family. There are at least three Nurse Practitioners—one is associated with the surgeons, one with the Pediatric Cardiologists and one for the floor. They are a valuable source of support and information. While your child is in surgery, a Nurse Practitioner acts as the liaison between the OR and the parents, so you are kept apprised of what is happening at key moments. The Child Life Specialists are also very helpful. We have three other children besides our heart child. Before her first open heart surgery, a Child Life Specialist took each child to meet their sister. She prepared them for all the tubes and equipment they would see. This was helpful to us all.
Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? If possible, try to visit the PCICU and PC floor before your child’s hospitalization. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you are unable to get a room at the RMH, there are several nice hotels close to MUSC with discounted rates. The chapel is just around the corner from the ICU waiting room; it’s very peaceful.
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Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, SC)
What CHD does/did your child have? Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS)