About Me (In My Own Words)
I was born with MVP and not diagnosed until the age of 18. At that time my doctor told me I would be much older before anything needed to be done, but to keep an eye on it. Well, being the young-in that I am I was quite lax in getting it checked, but at least had it done every 3 years or so.
At the age of 31 I suffered cardiac arrest from Ventrical Tachicardia, the doctors cannot explain it and said my MVP had nothing to do with it. By the grace of God it all worked out great, I was within 20 feet of an AED, my workplace has an emergency response team and had CPR started on me within a few minutes, followed by an AED. After 4 shocks I was stabilized and taken to the ER where I was put in a medically induced coma for about a day. When I awoke the next day I had no memory at all, within 24 hours I came to my self, I can't remember the event but could fully speak and talk to everyone. This was all answer to prayer as I was able to lead my mother to the Lord to accept him as savior that night. 4 days later I was released from the hospital, with a ICD implanted and a few other tests done to be sure. The doctors still can't explain me, but so far since that day I was perfectly healthy, no medication, starting running last year 20-30 miles a week, completed my first half marathon (2:03) and enjoying my 3 wonderful kids (2, 4, 8; all boys) and my fantastic wife.
Now, here I am 3 years since then, once again I was lax getting my echo done till they told me too and found my leakage was now moderate to severe, so they ordered a TEE test (Somerset Medical center in NJ was great, full anesthesia, woke up like nothing happened). Dr. now said I was definitely severe and recommended me to Mt. Sinai for a Mitral Valve Repair. My 2nd opinion also came from the doctor my mother works for, who is a cardiologist, and reiterated the same words as my cardiologist.
On Dec 13, 2012 I went to Mt. Sinai, under Dr. David Adams and the hand of God to have my Mitral Valve Repaired. All was a great success. I was that annoying patient that wouldn't stay in bed walked around as much as possible and left the hospital 6 days after surgery. My wife, Shea, was a huge motivator for me and kept me going at home, walking and being up to keep me out of depression. Without her I could have easily stayed in my recliner every day.
Now I'm a healthy post surgery heart advocate. It took me about 6 months to get back to running, I took it slow under wife and doctor orders, but now am fully back to where I was. Running is my therapy and keeps me sane from the work week. I always wear my Heart Rate monitor to avoid any unnecessary shocks from my ICD and enjoy the open road, my family and all that God has. Now beyond surgery I'm looking to give back, working with heart groups and helping to find ways to further improvement the treatments in this area.
Through it all God has been good, while it was not always a fun upbeat ride, the light was always shining as long as I kept my eyes up. As those have seen on here there are 2 things during the whole process that scared me the most, first was just what felt like a slow recovery for the first 4 weeks, but after that checkup, wow, then 2 was my cardiologist follow-up that signaled something may still need fixed. I sunk, scared and no doubt worried about having to go through it again and praise God all worked out ok and was really nothing to be concerned. As I look back it was tough but worth it all.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Easton, Pennsylvania
