About Me (In My Own Words)
I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurysm by Dr. Steven Lieberman in August of 2007 (age 45). I was living in Naperville, Illinois with my wife (Meg) and three kids (Grant, age 7 at the time and twins Claire and Grace, age 4). I worked in marketing at Kraft Foods, and was considered in relatively good health.
I began annual visits with Dr. Lieberman through 2009, followed by care in Dexter, Michigan until 2015. I returned to Dr. Lieberman in 2015 when we moved back to Naperville.
Snce 2007, I had annual echos coupled with CT scans with contrast every other year to track the size and progression of the aneurysm, along with monitoring the stenosis.
My aneurysm was in the mid-ascending aorta. I started tracking the measurements in 2018 - the first measure was 4.6 cm. It stayed at 4.6 until May 2025 when it measured 4.9 cm.
I did not track the stenosis; I was more concerned with the aneurysm given the danger for a rupture. It turns out my bicuspid valve was slowly becoming more calcified over the years. In May 2025, Dr. Lieberman confirmed that the stenosis had progressed to severe.
Given the increased aneurysm size and the severe stenosis, Dr. Lieberman referred me to a cardiac surgeon in June 2025.
Some relevant background. In January 2021, I weighed 225 pounds. I decided to change my habits to help my heart and to enjoy a better lifestyle. I began cycling and cut out sugared drinks. By November 2021, I weighed 175 pounds. I had a clean colonoscopy in 2022, and my annual blood works showed the best results ever.
Today is Sunday, June 8, 2025. Tomorrow, I'll be 63 years old. I'm grateful that I've enjoyed good health with this condition for almost 18 years. Dr. Lieberman is an amazing cardiologist. He has been a voice of comfort and education - but he's always been clear: It's not IF you'll have surgery, it's WHEN!
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Naperville, Illinois
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My surgery date is:
August 5, 2025
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Aortic Aneurysm
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My surgery was:
Aortic Valve Replacement
Aortic Aneurysm Replacement
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My surgeon is:
Dr. Bryan Foy
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My hospital is:
Edward Heart Hospital
