Interestingly… The importance of today’s date escaped me until a few minutes ago.

That is when I saw “December 21″ on my calendar. I then eased my shoulders, took a deep breath and smiled. So you know, six years ago, at this exact moment, my heart valve surgery had just begun.

As for celebrating this anniversary, I could ramble on about the amazing journey that has unfolded since my aortic and pulmonary valve replacement surgery 2,190 days ago.  I could do my best to conjure up some inspirational words about the medical miracle of heart valve surgery. I could share select highlights from my “Second Chance” at life.

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As the year winds down, I wanted to take a moment to wish you all a very happy holidays!

I also wanted to thank you for your ongoing participation in this unique community. This has been an incredible year for this project. So you know, this website had over one million visits during 2011. Needless to say, that is a clear testament to the empowering ways in which we continue to help each other through the experience of heart valve surgery.

On behalf of Robyn, my wife, and Ethan, my son, “Happy Holidays!” and “Happy New Year!”

Keep on tickin’ in 2012!

Thanks to all of you who continue to ask for the latest Ethan update!

As you can see, our little 2-year old, is getting ready for football season. Like his dad, Ethan is a Michigan Wolverine fan. He already has the “Go Blue!” fist pump ready for the opener next Saturday.

Ethan Pick Readies For Football Saturday

But, in all seriousness, Ethan is thriving. He’s talking non-stop and going through the early stages of… potty training! Robyn, my wife, and I are exhausted. However, we are having the time of our lives watching him grow up.

Keep on tickin!

Over the years, I have heard from many patients who wanted to learn about the Trifecta heart valve replacement and its clinical trials.  As you might recall, this aortic valve replacement device is described by St. Jude Medical, its manufacturer, as a “next generation” heart valve replacement that:

• Contains three pericardial tissue leaflets;
• Uses a titanium stent covered with polyester and pericardial tissue; and
• Leverages St. Jude’s patented Linx AC Technology to help prevent aortic valve calcification after implant.

Trifecta Heart Valve Replacement (St. Jude Medical)

Recently, there was big news for the Trifecta heart valve replacement when St. Jude announced that this device received FDA approval.

The corporate excitement for the FDA approval was more than apparent when I checked into the Marriott hotel the night before the 91st Annual American Association for Thoracic Surgeons meeting began in Philadelphia. To my surprise… When I looked down at my room key, this is what I saw:

My Trifecta Hotel Room Key During AATS At The Marriott

I’m a little slow at times. I don’t always know when product marketing is happening to me or those around me. But, in that moment, I started to think that the marketing organization at St. Jude Medical was going to use the AATS convention as a launching pad for the Trifecta heart valve replacement. I guess that’s a very appropriate strategy — considering 1,500+ cardiac surgeons attend the AATS meeting each year.

Interestingly, the next morning…

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It’s hard to believe that five years ago, at this precise moment, I was rolled into an operating room at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. There, during a 3-hour procedure, Dr. Starnes performed an aortic and pulmonary valve replacement surgery that fixed my enlarged heart.

Patient, Caregiver & Surgeon Friends

It’s hard to believe that five years ago today, my life would slowly begin to transform.

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