About Me (In My Own Words)
Eric was diagnosed at birth with a heart issue. He was not supposed to live past a year. He had to go get yearly check-ups with a pediatric cardiologist. He then began going every two years to an adult cardiologist. Over time his bicuspid aortic valve began getting stenosis and he had a lot of regurgitation. The specialist wanted to wait as long as he could hoping for better technology, but always knew that he would have to have surgery some day.
We had some issues with our insurance changing and our Doctor not being in network so Eric refused to go to the doctor for his normal check-up (It took us a LONG time to pay that off!). One day I just started thinking about his heart and decided to call and make an appointment for him myself. (This was four years ago). He did go grudgingly and that is when the Doctor found the aortic aneurysm. (I credit myself for saving his life :) lol) We have had CT scans every six months with little change and then a year ago we went to yearly appointments. Over the summer I could tell something wasn't right because of the extreme fatigue and other symptoms. Eric went to the doctor in August and found out that he had now moved into the severe valve and aneurysm category. We knew, but still a shock.
Eric teaches 5-12 band and choir and I teach in the same school 9-12 math/science. We have three children Mikaela, 18, Noah, 16 and Caitlyn 12.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Decatur
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My surgery date is:
September 20, 2017
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Regurgitation
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My hospital is:
St. John's- Springfield, Illinois
