About Me (In My Own Words)
Well here is my testimony, When I went for a physical in order to play football when I was 11 years old, I was diagnosed with a heart murmur and leaky valve. I was sent to USC for a stress test with many doctors and was cleared to play. I’ve played sports my entire life including at the collegiate level and that was the last of this issue for me. Or so I thought! Switch gears to now, 33years later. This past Summer while vacationing with my family in Cancun, I began to feel dizzy while swimming in the Caribbean Ocean. Made it to the shore, passed out and stopped breathing. God sent me a guardian angel that day by the name of Jamie Parker from Michigan ( not sure if the spelling; however, if you think you know her please share because my goal is to find her again). She was on the beach with her family picking up sea shells. She heard the screams and cries of my brothers, rushed over and went into action. 3 rounds of CPR later she revived me and saved my life. I owe her and hope to one day repay the blessing. I had no idea what took place, but chalked it up to jet lag, humidity, alcohol and lack of sleep. No ambulance, no hospital, just 1 days rest and a promise to my family that once we return to the states I would go have a check up. I continued with my vacation, came home and left immediately for my wife and I’s 10 year anniversary to N.Y ( needless to say this was one expensive Summer, which was well planned for in advance). My wife and I walked miles, road bikes though Central Park and had the times of our lives. Upon returning home, it was time to fulfil my promise of checkingbup on my health. In my mind it was just a last time confirmation that what happens in Mexico was a fluke and that I needed to stop acting 23 and more like 43. I was sent to a Neurologist to confirm the seizure that took place on the shore was an isolated event ( oh yeah, I went into convulsions before I stopped breathing, or so I was told later). Neurologist ✅, no issue or concern. Last step before putting this all behind me was with Cardiology for an EKG. On August 20th, 2018 I sat in a room of silence as the nurse kept shaking her head while doing the EKG. I sensed the worry on her face. She stopped, looked at me and said “ I’ll be right back” then exited the room for about 10 minutes. She returned and said to me “Baby, your numbers are off the chart. I could let you walk out of here. I had to go show the doctor, he is going to come y’all to you”. Still unaware of anything I sat there a bit confused and worried. Then the doctor walked in and said “ Gas anyone ever told you that you have a Bicuspid Valve”? I said ha? He then asked if I had ever been diagnosed with a heart murmur. I shared with him what happened when I was 11 years old. He then responded, “ Yeah, over time when a person has a Bicuspid Valve, it begins to tighten and restrict blood flow to the body. This is the case with you. You are in the severely critical stage of Aortic Stenosus 0.05 and you will require open heart surgery “! Just like that my world was NEVER the same again! Thank God for this testimony and journey for He saved my life in Mexico, so that I could come home and save myself for my family!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Eastvale
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My surgery date is:
February 26, 2019
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Ross Procedure
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Dr. Vaughn Starnes “ The Maestro”
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