About Me (In My Own Words)
Welcome to my heart valve journal. It was created to keep friends and family updated about my open heart surgery.
Visit often to read the latest journal entries, visit the photo gallery, and write a note in my guestbook (don't forget to include your name!). My sister in law, Lisa will be updating the journals during my surgery/stay in ICU... until I can get back on a computer!
USC University Hospital
1500 San Pablo St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone: 888-700-5700
My story...
A couple days before New Years 2011, I very un-expectedly found out I needed open heart surgery to fix a mitral valve regurgitation/leaflet flail. I scoured the internet looking for top surgeons who could peform minimally invasive/robotic surgery, and found several.
Then, I had a cardiac cath done, and just as unexpectedly found out I also needed a triple bypass, possible quadruple. And, rather than having 6 months to research surgeons, and prepare for surgery, they announced I needed to have a traditional sternotomy in the next couple weeks.
All my hopes of having a minimally invasive surgery were shattered. I'm terrified of having my sternum cut in half. If it weren't for that... I'd be ok! But, now I get more and more anxious with each day that passes & the surgery gets closer.
My surgery is tentatively scheduled for March 2nd or 3rd in Los Angeles. I'm waiting to meet two different surgeons before I make my final decision on which one will take my heart in his hands.
Check out my journal entries for more information and updates! And please sign my guestbook. Thanks for visiting, your positive energy, thoughts and prayers!
When I'm not busy researching doctors, hospitals, surgical procedures, etc... I do goal assisted therapy with my dog, Rina. She's a service dog, and will be instrumental in helping me during recovery. She can open the refrigerator, turn lights on/off, get the mail, and so much more.
I also facilitate my other dog Ricochet who raises funds & awareness for charitable causes. She has a video on YouTube that went viral & has over 3 million views... "From service dog to SURFice dog"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGODurRfVv4.
It touches people on many different levels, bringing them to tears.
I plan to continue facilitating Ricochet's work during my recovery, as it'll help me recover faster knowing we're helping others less fortunate than myself. If you'd like to make a tribute donation while I'm in the hospital, or recovering, please go to http://www.surfdogricochet.com & click to donate to Ricochet's Reality Rally fundraiser for breast cancer. Thank you!
http://www.surfdogricochet.com
http://www.facebook.com/SurfDogRicochet
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
San Diego, California
