On February 24, 2011...
good luck with the waiting game Eric- I've been playing it for the last 6 months with the MHI.

good luck nonetheless :.)

pete the atheist who likes to wait, and wait, and wait - just like the opening in the Maltese Falcon.

On February 22, 2011...
Hey Eric....thinking of you on this the day before your next povital point in your journey....my pre op is scheduled for May 10th....right now am trying to conserve my energies and get my homework done on that half in thick package of stuff to do....

my thots and prayers are with you, hold on and if you can't hold on let Someone hold you

Paul M
Eric Brenie  Hi Paul, actually I got a call two weeks ago pushing my consult two days to Friday the 25th.. I reall ... Read more
On February 13, 2011...
Hey Eric....hope the outcomes are positive for you on the 23rd. My angiogram came back nearly flawless, AVA a little less than 1 cm. I'm way to healthy for an operation yet, so I guess Ill just be a Maytag repairmen when this is all over.

Keep hangin' in there and al th best to your family, especially your better half. She get's the short cut to sainthood along with the rest of all our better halfs.

Cheers,

Paul M
Eric Brenie  Thanks Paul. Surprisingly enough, I got a call from my surgeon's secretary last week pushing my Feb.2 ... Read more
On February 9, 2011...
Hey Eric, I am honored to hear from you. Thanks for your comments about my "gift", assuming your reference being to the writing part. Being trained as a scientist, it took me half my life time to discover that I was really more of a "people person", interested in the humanities and sociological phenomenae, let's say the rumble in Egypt, for example, so for whatever reason I took to writing and have never considered myself with much prowess as such, however I am a philospher at heart, so they all sort of run together.

My daughter is a Ph D Political Science at Notre Dame as well as my son in law. I don't want to take any credit which is not due me, however, they have indicated and manifested on accasion that they may have been influenced while younger as to my take on life, and hopefully that was helpful inspirationally speaking as to how they got to where they are now.

Ah yes, the heart journey. I would consider it a dual track venture, an outward one and an inward one. It's about a lot more that the beater, wouldn't you agree? I kind if liken it to a stricken aircraft with cascading multiple system failures and the pilots frantically going through all their manuals and failsafe proceedures to keep it airborne, yet always coming to the end of their strategy at some point or another until eventually they are flying on sheer instinct. It's not an exact analogy, but it carries itself for awhile.

What has intrigued me the most along the way is the inward journey. What am I finding out about myself? Living on hope and under the assumption that we will "land safely", what transformational impact is occurring in me that will better equip me as a person for the future.

One thing I know is I will never be the same, and I'm confident there would be unanimity out there on that. In saying that, there are two avenues of opportunity in and through all this that one must choose in my view.

Using myself as an example, I found myself struggling in the area of keeping a positive attitude. I could feel bitterness against "the system" trying to creep into my psyche and perspective.

That's a killer, as anyone who becomes victimized by that is going down the well and that's pretty much where they'll stay.

I discovered that depending on the right brain rather than the left "engine", which was rather unreliable and tempermental, was a big step when it came to making critical life decisions. as well as keeping right perspective, eg., There are people out there that would trade places with anyone of us without a blink. I'm thinking 3rd world people here, North Koreans, Sri Lankans, and the list could go on and on.

That's not a denial of the hell of our own journey, it's a reorientation of perspective, which is vital to one's overall health and well being.

Neither do I ignore or suppress my own emotions, in fact I validate them, but do not allow them to control me. If I ever feel the left engine trying to take the lead in flying the aircraft I know my only response is action. Get moving, doing something, make a phone call, anything to get the mind in balance so as to prevent the spiralling down the well inevitability.

So focusing on the positive and the possibilities for good outcomes, looking for ways to engage in other peoples lives in a helpful and hopefully encouraging way, along with and above all my faith in God and the the overwhelming support of my family has gotten me this far.

Wholistic health is an absolute imperative in making a "safe landing". All the docs agree on that. So may I send my deepest and most heartfelt regards your way, hoping, believing, trusting that together we'll make it.

All the best to you Eric and your mighty fine looking family. They are trophies of God's grace upon you and the same for each one of us on this journey. Hope I haven't run on too long here.

Paul
On January 26, 2011...
Glad we can get all the details so easily. Stay positive, we're always here to support you!

Dawn
On January 26, 2011...
Eric:
Very best of luck and hope you get on one of the waiting lists very soon.
Terry C.
On January 25, 2011...
This is a great website, thanks for sharing it
with all of us. Keep us posted. Once this is all
over with and you are back to your old self, Lyd won't be able to hold you down.

Take care, Bernice.
On January 25, 2011...
Hi Eric, This is your "Nurse Cratchett" although I would prefer to be called "Nurse Tink" but we can work that out later. I just want you to know that I will be there with you every step of the way. I will do my best to help you get back up on your feet so we can enjoy the rest of our lives together. I will be your shoulder to lean on or cry on. I am here for you. Love your Lydia xo
On January 25, 2011...
Hi Eric,

I also have a bicuspid aortic valve, which was diagnosed about 5 years ago. I found out Jan. 3rd that it is time to replace the valve. I have found this site a great help for information and, more importantly, a way to talk to others who have or are going through the same experiences. I hope you will find that it is a great help to you. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. Many people have been through this surgery, and I am sure you and I will get along well, too. I will follow your progress through your journal. Take care!

Tia Phillips
Eric Brenie  Thank-you Tia. I agree this website and others and Adam's book has really helped. Pretty scarey thoug ... Read more
On January 24, 2011...
Hey Eric

Looking forward to following your updates

Glenn
On January 23, 2011...
Eric,
Thank you for sharing this with us. Since we live so far away, this site will really help us share this journey with you. Keep up the good work!
Big hugs,
Cathy
xo
On January 23, 2011...
Hey Bro, thanks for sharing all your research and keeping us up to date with everything. You have a great team behind you, both personally and professionally.

Always,
Your loving sister
On January 23, 2011...
chin up Eric a lot of people want you healthy
Tammy xo
On January 22, 2011...
Now I know all the details. Hang in there. Before you know it, the new valve will be pumping away and you will be back to your old self again - which may or may not be a good thing :)
Eric Brenie  so do I have to guess who sent this?
On January 21, 2011...
Hey Uncle Eric,
Love this website - a great way to keep updates. Take care! Thinking about you guys,
Melissa
xox
On January 21, 2011...
everything is going to go well dont worry