About Me (In My Own Words)
When I was young the doctors informed my parents that I had a heart murmur. The doctors monitored it but weren’t too concerned. As I grew older they informed me that I would need aortic valve replacement when I was older. When you’re young “when you’re older” is an eternity away.
Over the last few years I’ve been seeing a local cardiologist. I’ve received yearly echocardiographs and check-ups. A few years ago my condition was categorized as moderate. Last year my condition was upgraded to serious.
Last week I had my annual echo. Today Terri and I met with Dr. Wasenmiller. My heart condition is now “critical”. The technical cause of my problem is a bicuspid aortic valve. This basically means that my heart is having problems pumping blood. The aorta valve should have an opening of about 2.5 cm. My opening is now .6 cm.
Even though the diagnosis is pretty serious, I actually feel fine. I’ve been exercising regularly and recently enjoyed a 16 day trip to Scotland, England, and Ireland without feeling overly exhausted.
Anyway, Dr. Wasenmiller wants me to get a valve replacement sooner than later. So it looks like open heart surgery for me this summer.
I have to admit that this is a bit scary. After all, who wants to have someone crack your chest open, stop your heart, wire you up to a mechanical heart machine, cut your heart open, take out an old valve, sew in a new one, sew up your heart, start the beating again, and then wire your chest back up? Not me that’s for sure.
Even though the idea of this surgery is sobering, the good far outweighs the bad. I’ve been told this surgery is like being hit my a truck; that’s the bad.
Here’s a list of some of the good.
1. I live in an age where technology can identify heart problems before they get too serious.
2. Technology has perfected AVR (aortic valve replacement) surgery. There is a 97-98% success rate.
3. I have a non-physical job with downtime during summer.
4. My wife and I are very fortunate to have jobs that provide health insurance. (Huge blessing!)
5. I am in good shape and am not really suffering from typical symptoms. My recovery should be eased by being pretty healthy.
6. I have faith in God who is able to do the impossible.
7. I have incredibly supportive friends and family. My church family is the real deal. My extended and immediate family are the best ever. I never doubt their willingness to always be there for me.
8. I have the memory of my brother who passed away last December. Kevin bravely fought cancer for seven years. He endured some of the most grueling procedures ever without the guarantee of success. His legacy of bravery and good humor will be my motivation.
9. I have the most incredible wife ever. These next few months will be full of stress, pain, frustrations, fear, and hope. I know I can’t do this alone, and my partner and best friend of nearly 30 years will be by my side for the entire ride. Her love and support is the only reason I can do it.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Salem, Oregon
