<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/Images\/aaron.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Aaron’s email just brought back several, distinct memories following my own diagnosis. Mostly, I remember the fear, uncertainty and doubt that rattled through my brain in overwhelming, unanswered questions like, “Will I ever be the same again?”<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n So you know, it has been over three years since my surgery.<\/p>\n I can tell you that I am not the same<\/em>.<\/p>\n I am much, much, much better.<\/p>\n “How can Adam say that?” you might be wondering.<\/em><\/p>\n Well… Let me start with the physical nature of my recovery. Although my recovery was challenging, I am pretty much back at full strength<\/a>. As I have documented in prior blogs, I now participate in all of the physical activities I enjoyed prior to my Ross Procedure<\/a> which include swimming, gardening, hiking, SCUBA diving, golf, surfing, lifting weights, etc.<\/p>\n Therefore, I do not see open heart surgery as “physically limiting”.<\/p>\n In fact, heart surgery actually helped me eliminate certain non-physical limitations.<\/p>\n “Huh? What is Adam talking about?” you might be thinking.<\/em><\/p>\n Well… Consider that most patients aggressively pursue their “second chance at life” after surgery. Now, I am keenly aware of just how short life can be. That said, I’ve actually moved past other limitations that existed prior to surgery.<\/p>\n One of the greatest examples of this was my fear of commitment and marriage. This may sound strange but, as a result of my surgery, I gained a new perspective on life and love that I never understood before. That said, Robyn (my wife) and I just celebrated our 2nd anniversary and we just welcomed our first child, Ethan, into the world. Needless to say, I have never been happier.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Adam](\"https:\/\/www.heart-valve-surgery.com\/Images\/adam-ethan.jpg\")